Hubba hubba caps

[Davidv]

I’m may be overly cautious by asking this question but has anyone installed the lopresti hubba hubba caps on their aircraft?  I put them on and they seem to extend ever so slightly outside the edge of the tire and want to be sure that there won’t be a problem with clearance when I raise the gear.  Again, overly cautious since they have an STC for the M20, but wanted to check with others before I go flying.

[jetdriven]

That part of the wheel below the lower gear door is exposed to the airstream.  I don’t think it would interfere with the wheel well. It may be tight to the fiberglass style lower gear doors though.  

[Davidv]

Just now, jetdriven said:

That part of the wheel below the lower gear door is exposed to the airstream.  I don’t think it would interfere with the wheel well. It may be tight to the fiberglass style lower gear doors though.  

Thanks, I was also thinking about the wheel well but I assume there is a tiny bit of room between the tire and the top of the well when stowed...

[hypertech]

I have them and have no trouble.  I put them on after a screw fell out of one of my hubcaps in flight and it basically folded in half.  Could have been a mess had I retracted the gear that way.  These won't bend and the little door to check the pressure is a perk.  

That said, they are stupid expensive for what they are, and it is the dumbest 337 I think my IA may have ever signed, but I'm happy with them.

[ilovecornfields]

I have them. They’re a little thicker than the regular hubcaps and my left one rubbed against something when retracted and had to be adjusted. 

[carusoam]

Expect anything designed by Lopresti.... is going to be good.

Roy is THE guy that designed the composite aero shaped cowlings and wing tips and other assorted aero devices for the M20J while he worked at Mooney...

He started his own company after he left Mooney... one piece bellys, HID landing lights, and hub caps were the common items... and the really nice cowl...

Best regards,

-a-

[kortopates]

Another alternative is the chromed hub caps sold by LASAR. Very nice but they do need to come off to add air. But that issue is greatly reduced with butyl tubes.


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[JohnB]

On 8/9/2019 at 3:11 PM, kortopates said:

Another alternative is the chromed hub caps sold by LASAR. Very nice but they do need to come off to add air. But that issue is greatly reduced with butyl tubes.


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Hey Paul! I might need some of these. Know where I can find a picture? Tried Lasar website 

[kortopates]

I'd give Dan @LASAR a call. I don't know where else, except an owner taking a pict of theirs. I might be able to do that soon.
 

[carusoam]

LoPresti Hubba Hubba hubcaps?

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/lgpages/hubbahubba06-02572.php?gclid=Cj0KCQjwwb3rBRDrARIsALR3XeYFLTqCjfj10ETlDkZFtw5ggYs_x64RN2OSGfAvVnxCZnffYOSTSFoaAk_kEALw_wcB

Dan at Lasar May have the best price...

Best regards,

-a-

[steingar]

O.K., I get to be the dumb kid and ask what these do for you other than make  your wheels look spanky.

[PTK]

 

On 8/8/2019 at 4:19 PM, hypertech said:

...they are stupid expensive for what they are...

How difficult is it really to remove three little screws to check air in the tires? With some relative care not to damage threads in the wheel?

[jetdriven]

If you do it right, it is. The screws are a special length, three eights is slightly too short I think a half inch is too long. Also they have a locking star washer under them which is to be replaced every time. And also seeing as how the screw goes into magnesium every time you loosen up the threads get a little bit worn. Then eventually the hole strips out and you have to use a helicoil and that takes time. 

[Bryan]

18 hours ago, kortopates said:

I'd give Dan @LASAR a call. I don't know where else, except an owner taking a pict of theirs. I might be able to do that soon.
 

They have two avaiable:  Mooney Part number (crazy expensive) and their own model (like $49/pair).

I had one come off after post flight tire change that was too damaged to replace.  I called LASAR and got a new pair that were primed and ready to install.

[ilovecornfields]

34 minutes ago, jetdriven said:

If you do it right, it is. The screws are a special length, three eights is slightly too short I think a half inch is too long. Also they have a locking star washer under them which is to be replaced every time. And also seeing as how the screw goes into magnesium every time you loosen up the threads get a little bit worn. Then eventually the hole strips out and you have to use a helicoil and that takes time. 

This is exactly what happened to me and why I have them.

[JohnB]

On 9/5/2019 at 8:29 AM, steingar said:

O.K., I get to be the dumb kid and ask what these do for you other than make  your wheels look spanky.

If they’re really cool, you can do this

 

[philiplane]

I've put them on several Bravos. Much better than wearing out the holes on the wheels for a simple tire pressure check.

Edited September 27, 2019 by philiplane

[toto]

Are people normally installing these as owner maintenance, or hiring a mechanic to screw them on?

Spruce has a Q&A that suggests a logbook entry is all that’s needed (below).

 

 

 

Q: Can an owner install these in place of the flat aluminum covers, without an A&P signoff? 

We believe these would just require a logbook entry. We always recommend customer confirm with their A&P mechanic before installing any item on a certified aircraft.

 

[ilovecornfields]

1 hour ago, toto said:

Are people normally installing these as owner maintenance, or hiring a mechanic to screw them on?

Spruce has a Q&A that suggests a logbook entry is all that’s needed (below).

 

 

 

Q: Can an owner install these in place of the flat aluminum covers, without an A&P signoff? 

We believe these would just require a logbook entry. We always recommend customer confirm with their A&P mechanic before installing any item on a certified aircraft.

 

I believe if you follow the STC it requires a 337. Yes. For hubcaps.

[toto]

Just now, ilovecornfields said:

I believe if you follow the STC it requires a 337. Yes. For hubcaps.

At the risk of opening a can of worms… Is a dust cover an item that requires an STC?

[affricate]

On 8/8/2019 at 1:00 PM, Davidv said:

I’m may be overly cautious by asking this question but has anyone installed the lopresti hubba hubba caps on their aircraft?  I put them on and they seem to extend ever so slightly outside the edge of the tire and want to be sure that there won’t be a problem with clearance when I raise the gear.  Again, overly cautious since they have an STC for the M20, but wanted to check with others before I go flying.

I have them on my 1989 Bravo,