BBS caps

Mon Jul 08, 2013 1:15 pm

I'm looking to buy some bbs alloys apparently the caps have a tendency to fall off is there anyway to stop this from happening?

Mon Jul 08, 2013 1:27 pm

it's unusual for the twist type to fall off in my experience. There's nothing you can really do to stop them being stolen. though.

Years ago I used to take them into the house with me at night after having two sets stolen.

Mon Jul 08, 2013 1:42 pm

Yeah might do that. Can they be undone by hand

Mon Jul 08, 2013 1:43 pm

they can, easily.

Mon Jul 08, 2013 1:44 pm

Oh dear will the tool lock them tight enough to stop thiefs nicking them?

Mon Jul 08, 2013 1:56 pm

I'm not sure how much the tool is but I'm sure it's less than a cap new!

I don't think that the tool does them up tight enough to stop anyone who's determined.

Mon Jul 08, 2013 2:02 pm

They only have a tendency to fall off if they are broken, which with second hand ones will be quite common.
Common anti theft measures are to glue them in place with silicon sealant, so that they need a tool to remove them, and/or to drill and screw a small self tapping screw through the disc and into the wheel.

Mon Jul 08, 2013 7:23 pm

How can you tell if there broken?

Mon Jul 08, 2013 7:50 pm

Each cap has three black plastic catches at the back that are fixed to the outer part, and three light grey plastic parts, attached to the large nut, that rotate with the nut and snap into the recesses on the inside edge of the black parts.
Check that all twelve sets in your four caps are identical, have nice clean well defined edges, and snap into the locked position with some force. It should take considerable effort to rotate the nut into and out of the locked position.

Mon Jul 08, 2013 8:37 pm

Cheers mate appreciated. Does anyone any pics of the rear as this is quite confusing

Tue Jul 09, 2013 9:20 pm

I've got plastic ones and they just rattle and when I try to take them off to gob them from behind they just spin round. Do they not screw off?

Tue Jul 09, 2013 10:50 pm

richgilb wrote:I've got plastic ones and they just rattle and when I try to take them off to gob them from behind they just spin round. Do they not screw off?

E30 BBS type wheels don't have all plastic caps.

If E30 caps spin right around, then the catches are badly worn/chipped, and should come off easily when you get the nut in the right place.

Tue Jul 09, 2013 11:44 pm

I bought a set of 4 bbs alloys 15inch for £170 but the clips are broken. Can you get repair kits?

Wed Jul 10, 2013 12:39 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:
richgilb wrote:I've got plastic ones and they just rattle and when I try to take them off to gob them from behind they just spin round. Do they not screw off?
E30 BBS type wheels don't have all plastic caps.

If E30 caps spin right around, then the catches are badly worn/chipped, and should come off easily when you get the nut in the right place.

OK, cheers, so the rattling may de due to wear also? Is a solution to bung a bit of sponge behind them to stop the rattle? Is it not so that some aftermarket caps are all plastic?

Wed Jul 10, 2013 1:17 pm

E34 caps are one piece plastic, but don't come close to fitting E30 wheels, unless they are cut down and glued on. I've never come across an aftermarket BBS cap, but if someone makes them, they could be all plastic, I suppose.
The best cure for your caps would be to glue them in place with a good sized dollop of silicon rubber.