Are the hub caps required?

[Pinecone]

As the title, are the hub caps required?

And why are they there anyway?   It seems like all they do it make it hard to check and air the tires.

 

[Oscar Avalle]

As the title, are the hub caps required?
And why are they there anyway?   It seems like all they do it make it hard to check and air the tires.
 

Good question. I was wondering about this too.

Oscar


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[Hank]

35 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

As the title, are the hub caps required?

And why are they there anyway?   It seems like all they do it make it hard to check and air the tires.

 

I always thought they were just a "dress up" for your plane. Some are painted, some are chrome. As a new owner, I was advised to not buy them, as they make it hard to check grease in the hubs.

[Marc_B]

I always thought it kept the wheels cleaner with less dirt and debris to get kicked up into the hub.  After checking the tire pressure routinely to establish trend, I typically go 4-6 weeks between checks, so the screws don't bother me too much.  I would have gone with the Hubba Hubba caps to make it easier if they weren't so much more expensive compared to basic hub caps available (or at least also came with cap for nose wheel included for the same price).

[DCarlton]

Don't know the answer, not an expert, but I've had to operate without them several times over the years.  The screws are very short and strip out easily.  I think I even lost one years ago and had to buy a replacement.  Hubba Hubba caps would be nice if you can easily get your pressure gauge and inflator nozzle in position.  Wondered if the little access door is big enough and they work well.  Anybody use them?  Thanks.  

[EricJ]

The TCDS or POH should say if they're required or not.   AFAIK they're just decorative or maybe a little aero.   Most Mooneys don't have them, but if a particular model required them it should be in the POH, I'd think.

 

[Pinecone]

This is a 252.

One of the screw heads is stripped, so I can't get it out.  

And once I get it out, I am not putting it back in.  And it is Sunday, so FBO is closed to see if they have one.

[A64Pilot]

If you have access to a set of vise grips, pulling on the screw as you unscrew it will usually get it out, if not then put something under the head of the screw and pry it out as you unscrew it, like a flat tip screwdriver, pen knife whatever.

When you get the cap off, give it to someone with out retracts that can use it, other than looking pretty it has no use, even on fixed gear it really has no use.

‘The all metal usually yellow valve caps, they have a use and you should keep them

‘What are Hubba Hubba caps?

On edit I reread it, screw head stripped, vise grips is your best bet, or taking a flat tip with a hammer and using it like a chisel to turn a screw often works too.

[DCarlton]

10 minutes ago, A64Pilot said:

If you have access to a set of vise grips, pulling on the screw as you unscrew it will usually get it out, if not then put something under the head of the screw and pry it out as you unscrew it, like a flat tip screwdriver, pen knife whatever.

When you get the cap off, give it to someone with out retracts that can use it, other than looking pretty it has no use, even on fixed gear it really has no use.

‘The all metal usually yellow valve caps, they have a use and you should keep them

‘What are Hubba Hubba caps?

On edit I reread it, screw head stripped, vise grips is your best bet, or taking a flat tip with a hammer and using it like a chisel to turn a screw often works too.

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/lgpages/hubbahubba06-02572.php

[A64Pilot]

Almost $300 for two caps? Your still removing a screw though?

[EricJ]

42 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

This is a 252.

One of the screw heads is stripped, so I can't get it out.  

And once I get it out, I am not putting it back in.  And it is Sunday, so FBO is closed to see if they have one.

If you want to do a little DIY, a simple technique it to take a hacksaw blade and saw a groove in the head so that you can get a flat-tip screw driver on to remove it.    Otherwise, an EZ-out or other generic screw extractor kit (even the Harbor Freight ones work decent) and a battery-powered drill should get it.  That's probably what the shop would do, anyway.

[A64Pilot]

Take the two screws out that you can and spin the cap to get the screw out, or just bend it over, put air into the tire, bend it back put the screws back in and deal with it when you get home

[N201MKTurbo]

If you have a stuck screw, just drill the head off. After you drill the head off you can take the hub cap off. It will expose enough of the screw to grab with a pair of pliers and unscrew. It is usually the head that is seised, not the threads, so after you drill the head off, the shank will easily unscrew. Use a drill a little bigger than the threaded part of the screw.

[Marc_B]

33 minutes ago, A64Pilot said:

Almost $300 for two caps? Your still removing a screw though?

That was my thought as well.  and I think they're plastic or some type of composite at that.

[carusoam]

Hubba hubba is probably owned by Whelen now…

 

-a-

[PT20J]

40 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said:

If you have a stuck screw, just drill the head off. After you drill the head off you can take the hub cap off. It will expose enough of the screw to grab with a pair of pliers and unscrew. It is usually the head that is seised, not the threads, so after you drill the head off, the shank will easily unscrew. Use a drill a little bigger than the threaded part of the screw.

THIS ^^^. Vise-grips work best. Sometimes a left hand (a.k.a. reverse) drill bit will get them out if there is not enough to grab with the pliers. I've also been able to get screws out by grabbing the head with Vise-grips.

[Utah20Gflyer]

A dremel tool works nicely to slot a screw so you can use a flathead screw driver on it.  

[carusoam]

Snap-on makes a really thin pair of pliers with really sharp hardened teeth…

That is amazing at grabbing round headed screws…

A mechanic showed me this skill during my first owner assisted annual… 

About 20+ years ago…. That pair of pliers is still around here somewhere…

PP thoughts only…

Best regards,

-a-

[Pasturepilot]

The hubcaps are a nice dust cover to help keep dirt out of your wheel bearings... or grease out of view, depending on your point of view. 

Over time, the threads in those soft aluminum wheels do get worn - mine are pretty well shot at this point. The screw holes wear even quicker if you use cheap tire tubes since you'll be airing those suckers up all the dang time. 

[A64Pilot]

11 hours ago, Utah20Gflyer said:

A dremel tool works nicely to slot a screw so you can use a flathead screw driver on it.  

I use a dremel as well, it’s faster and easier and less likely to scratch the skin than a long hacksaw blade. I usually only drill screws that there isn’t any other way like countersunk or their location.

[philiplane]

https://www.vampiretools.com/shop/products/pliers/vampliers-6-25-screw-extraction-pliers/

 

[carusoam]

Very nice set of pliers you got there philip!

Best regards,

-a-

[EricJ]

2 hours ago, philiplane said:

https://www.vampiretools.com/shop/products/pliers/vampliers-6-25-screw-extraction-pliers/

 

Those are awesome.    I have a couple sets.

 

[Shadrach]

15 hours ago, Utah20Gflyer said:

A dremel tool works nicely to slot a screw so you can use a flathead screw driver on it.  

This ^^^^^ just be very careful. The OP has clearly stripped the screw head and not stripped threads. 

[Shadrach]

2 hours ago, philiplane said:

https://www.vampiretools.com/shop/products/pliers/vampliers-6-25-screw-extraction-pliers/

 

Those look nice. If they work well, a much better and safer solution than a dremel.