Spartan Caps and High Hat Retention

[Lug_Nut]

I know there was a thread on this issue, but I can't find it, as I learned something perhaps I should share.

Like many others I have heard about, losing of the rear wheel high hats has been an issue. I know I have lost three in the last year.

I've had an issue with my left tag high hat, the same position as the last one that left. I removed the high hat, repositioned the hold-on brack to assure the two little tabs in front are positioned right at the housing flange end and tightened it as hard as I could with a screwdriver. After driving a couple of hunderd miles I checked it, still it has wiggled about 3/16" off. Off being the cap had moved slightly out. I could push it back on, and although it seemed to fit tight, I could still move it slightly up and down,

So, when all else fails.....Read the directions. So I looked both ways to make sure my wife didn't see me reading the install instrctions. I noticed something in the instructions I had never done. The holder assemble is secured with a stainless hose clamp that is tightened using the one stanard screw. I have always used a screw driver on this type of clamp and it always did the trick. But the instruction say to use a 5/16" wrench or socket. So I removed the cap again and tightened the screw again using a driver. Now when I had it as tight as I could make it I took a 5/16" wrench and attempted to tighten it further. Oh yes! It turned near a half more turn or more. I re-installed the high hat and low and behold. The high hat no longer would move up and down.

So, I have about 3000 miles to track from the west coast to Florida. Let's see if this is the answer.

Just thought this was worth passing on.

Peter

[ottffss]

Were you losing the retaining band too?

Never thought about it, I always used a socket to tighten that retainer in my el. cheapo electric screw gun - crimping the band around the flutes on the hub no less. Never thought that alone would make the difference between keep and lose! I've only lost one hat in the early days and after 70,000 more miles not a single loss.

Lost a couple baby moons (they are the 5 tab variety) before I used pliers to open out the flange tabs a little. After that, never a loss either.

BTW my moons and high hats all came from chrome shops at truck stops. No Spartan logo but 100% stainless steel for about $8 per moon and $20 per high hat.

[Lug_Nut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottffss Were you losing the retaining band too? Never thought about it, I always used a socket to tighten that retainer in my el. cheapo electric screw gun - crimping the band around the flutes on the hub no less. Never thought that alone would make the difference between keep and lose! I've only lost one hat in the early days and after 70,000 more miles not a single loss. Lost a couple baby moons (they are the 5 tab variety) before I used pliers to open out the flange tabs a little. After that, never a loss either. BTW my moons and high hats all came from chrome shops at truck stops. No Spartan logo but 100% stainless steel for about $8 per moon and $20 per high hat.

No, I have never lost a retainer, just the high hat. But, if the retainer can move at all, it will allow the high hat to move and leave the ship.

Peter