Is it common for the wheel nut covers to come loose and fall off? Had no problems before, but just noticed the other day I had lost a few. They haven't been nicked because they are random different ones from various wheels and some of the others were loose and close to coming off. I made sure all the remaining ones were fully back in place and now a couple of days later and not many miles driven, some have started to come loose already. Only thing I have done is take off all the wheels and put them back on a few months ago, but I did make sure all the nut covers were properly back on. I find it strange that they are just starting to come loose now. They are all original covers that came with the car and not aftermarket jobbies. Is this unusual or normal?

Never had a problem with the covers on the 3 Fabias I have owned.  Very strange.

OK, it's a Octy 1, but I've still got all 20 of the covers that came with the car, after 10.75 years.

OK, it's a Octy 1, but I've still got all 20 of the covers that came with the car, after 10.75 years.

 

 

If my memory serves me from my late Octy the covers are made of genuine crappy plastic which probably will crack due to UV-radiation and all kinds of common air pollution; also being pulled off  will cause wear, especially if you have a change to winter wheels every year. I'd like to think that a lifespan of 10 years is fair for the material chosen.

I bought my Fabia as a two year old, used car. Wheel but covers were missing, presumably lazy service techs,they sent a jiffy bag of replacements in the post - no charge. Suggest you ask your supplying dealer, they won't cost him much for the goodwill. Let us know how you get on.

By the way, we've had FIVE Fabias ( see photo, left ) none have had but covers 'work loose'. The little plastic pincer tool sometimes has a job to pull them out.

Don't think you've got a major problem, much worse if the actual NUTS came loose.

If my memory serves me from my late Octy the covers are made of genuine crappy plastic which probably will crack due to UV-radiation and all kinds of common air pollution; also being pulled off  will cause wear, especially if you have a change to winter wheels every year. I'd like to think that a lifespan of 10 years is fair for the material chosen.

The 10.75 years refer to my ownership, not the age of the car.

If my memory serves me from my late Octy the covers are made of genuine crappy plastic which probably will crack due to UV-radiation and all kinds of common air pollution; also being pulled off  will cause wear, especially if you have a change to winter wheels every year. I'd like to think that a lifespan of 10 years is fair for the material chosen.

 

My car is only a year old and covers have only been on and off a few times, so I would have hoped they still have plenty of life in them!

I bought my Fabia as a two year old, used car. Wheel but covers were missing, presumably lazy service techs,they sent a jiffy bag of replacements in the post - no charge. Suggest you ask your supplying dealer, they won't cost him much for the goodwill. Let us know how you get on.

 

Thanks but the car came with the nut covers missing and I had to chase the dealer to get some for it already. Plus I am not on good terms with that dealer anymore anyway because I had to fight with them about the terrible condition the car was handed over in. 

Do you take them off with the tweazers?  None of the with a split.?

I reckon i have had the Bolt covers on and off one car i have several times a month for several years now and never had one come off by accident.

 

I have seen some people fail to be able to figure out that 4 are one size and the 5th is bigger.

(i have no Security Bolt on, so all 5 are the same on my own car.)

 

EDIT.

Just seen post #9.

So it looks like you have the wrong plastic covers for your car.

Edited 21 December, 201510 yr by GoneOffskiroottoot

Do you take them off with the tweazers?  None of the with a split.?

I reckon i have had the Bolt covers on and off one car i have several times a month for several years now and never had one come off by accident.

 

I have seen some people fail to be able to figure out that 4 are one size and the 5th is bigger.

(i have no Security Bolt on, so all 5 are the same on my own car.)

 

EDIT.

Just seen post #9.

So it looks like you have the wrong plastic covers for your car.

 

 I use tweezers when I remove them and yes I know that one cover is different for the security bolt.

 

No, they are the correct covers, I just had to get them from the dealer after I bought the car because they left them off by mistake when I got it.

Did you know tweezers are a 'third order lever', did that in physics 'o' level and never thought I'd need it again.

I think they told us 'sugar tongs' but, in Tottenham, we didn't use such things!

You could win a pub quiz knowing that.

Thanks but the car came with the nut covers missing and I had to chase the dealer to get some for it already. Plus I am not on good terms with that dealer anymore anyway because I had to fight with them about the terrible condition the car was handed over in.

So have they given you the wrong covers? Maybe a slightly different size off another model or somthing?

got a set of four on order as I had four bolts go missing on one wheel... Think someone tried to steal it but couldn't get locking bolt off. I noticed them missing so got new bolts posted out to me but not replaced caps yet. Otherwise, the covers have always been tight and needed the tool or garages use pliers, annoyingly as it slightly chews the caps!

So have they given you the wrong covers? Maybe a slightly different size off another model or somthing?

 

I dont think so because they feel a good tight fit going on and are hard to get off with tweezers. Also been fine until now. I will have to keep an eye on them and just order some more caps from somewhere.

I've had the wheels off my Yeti twice a year since 2012, swapping between winter & summer boots, and no missing caps...

 

...until last month when I noticed several missing after cleaning it. Found two of them in the snowfoam puddle, but never found the third. Another one popped off this weekend when cleaning it, but as I saw that come loose I was able to rescue it. They have all felt a tight enough fit, but maybe they wear a little with frequent removal.

Hi all,

               Interesting thread, i bought a new Seat Leon ST FR collected 1st Sept. Within 3 days of driving i noticed i had lost 7 wheel nut caps. After 1 week i had lost 14 in total, contacted the supplying dealer who sent a bag of 20 as a gesture of goodwill. 3 weeks of ownership & half the replacements had gone, this made me think there is a manufacturing fault. I contacted the dealer who said their 5 new Demos had lost some of their wheel nut caps & recommended i contact Seat customer service. This i did & to cut a long story short it transpires there is a fault with VAG wheel nut caps & the issue is now in the hands of the manufacturer. I am now informed they have had numerous complaints regarding this from dealers & customers. Also they said i was the first customer to bring this matter to their attention.

              I hope this is of help to you & i suggest you contact Skoda customer service direct.

 

Regards, Tisca

Jet washing or hosing the wheels with a strong hose pipe is enough to loosen them, especially if they've been on and off several times already.

 

Water is forced into the recess of the alloy wheel, which when forced back out gets behind and inside the plastic bolt cap.

 

Once it's off 1-2mm then it is only a matter of time before they drop off when cornering or going over rough ground etc.

 

After loosing a couple myself I've got into the habit now of giving them a quick push after washing the car.

Use that blue tacky stuff on the inside of them and none will go astray.

I've done exactly that, works a treat!

Hi all,

               Interesting thread, i bought a new Seat Leon ST FR collected 1st Sept. Within 3 days of driving i noticed i had lost 7 wheel nut caps. After 1 week i had lost 14 in total, contacted the supplying dealer who sent a bag of 20 as a gesture of goodwill. 3 weeks of ownership & half the replacements had gone, this made me think there is a manufacturing fault. I contacted the dealer who said their 5 new Demos had lost some of their wheel nut caps & recommended i contact Seat customer service. This i did & to cut a long story short it transpires there is a fault with VAG wheel nut caps & the issue is now in the hands of the manufacturer. I am now informed they have had numerous complaints regarding this from dealers & customers. Also they said i was the first customer to bring this matter to their attention.

              I hope this is of help to you & i suggest you contact Skoda customer service direct.

 

Regards, Tisca

 

Thanks, interesting to hear. I might mention it to Skoda and see what they say.

Jet washing or hosing the wheels with a strong hose pipe is enough to loosen them, especially if they've been on and off several times already.

 

Water is forced into the recess of the alloy wheel, which when forced back out gets behind and inside the plastic bolt cap.

 

Once it's off 1-2mm then it is only a matter of time before they drop off when cornering or going over rough ground etc.

 

After loosing a couple myself I've got into the habit now of giving them a quick push after washing the car.

 

Yeah, that makes sense, but it wouldn't be the cause of my loose covers. They were fine when I was washing the car regularly, but its happening now that I haven't actually washed it for ages because of a bad back.

Yeah, that makes sense, but it wouldn't be the cause of my loose covers. They were fine when I was washing the car regularly, but its happening now that I haven't actually washed it for ages because of a bad back.

I think he just means, its a good time to check, whilst youre doing (:

I think he just means, its a good time to check, whilst youre doing (:

Yeah for sure, just saying defo not my cause. Would love to give the car a good wash!!

I just got a replacement set of four. Less then £2 as they are about 47p each! Takes more time to order them and collect them then to fit them...