[Darren]

Just came in from the garage and noticed that the center cap on one of my 17" Sienna wheels was MISSING

I didn't know that the center cap came off, actually. So now the question is did it just fall off (have had no work done on the car recently where the tires would have been touched, rotated, etc) or did someone pry it off ??? I'll never know but now more than ever I like the idea of the proximity alarm that chops off a person's foot if they get too close!!!!

In any case, this small missing part will drive me nuts until I replace it. Anyone have any ideas where to get a replacement center cap (see photo if you're not sure what I mean -- it's the small round VW logo plate that is missing from one of my wheels) before I go to the dealership and ask the parts guys there? I guess I can't imagine this is a warranty item of any kind unless those things aren't supposed to come off afterall.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Eos_Up]

My first rule when something like this happens is to put the offending "hole" on the non-drivers side of the car so that I don't see it normally.

I suspect that there's a fair chance it fell off while having the tires rotated or someone pried it off for who knows what reason. Perhaps theirs fell off and they decided to replace it with one of yours.

 

[Darren]

.... Perhaps theirs fell off and they decided to replace it with one of yours.

Lucky you're across the US from me....I imagine you've got the same wheels I do

 

[Hornet9]

I had these replaced on my Chicago's as they were strating to show some carzing of the finish (done under warranty by the dealer). They had to remove the wheels to replace the centre caps, as they push it from the back.

No idea how you lost one!

 

[nail-z-gull]

A couple of mine were starting to discolour so I bought a spare set from eBay for about £14. There are a couple of different sizes - I think the EOS wheels have the 66mm version.

I'm sure the dealer could sort you out, but I imagine they'll charge something stupid for replacements.

 

[cb391]

I'm sure the dealer will sell you one for a princely amount. I would check Ebay first. Since it is a VW piece there probably aren't very many places that have one.

 

[Darren]

I agree...I don't know how I lost one, especially if you say that they had to be pushed from the back. In any case, I'm not going to try to pry the other ones off "just to check". I didn't bother taking the time to call or visit my local dealer. It actually took just a few minutes to locate online a VW parts dealer in Portland, OR who had the part for $6.92. I bought 2 and the website had free shipping. I can only be but so upset with the under-$14.00 price tag there. I did see on ebay several sets of 4 which would be about $25.00, but they all shipped from Hong Kong and I didn't trust they'd actually arrive this century if at all.

 

[Eos_Up]

I did see on ebay several sets of 4 which would be about $25.00, but they all shipped from Hong Kong and I didn't trust they'd actually arrive this century if at all.

Not to drift off subject, but I've bought several items on eBay from Hong Kong and every one arrived within 2 weeks or less. However, if you need something fast, Hong Kong is always going to be a few more days.

 

[Eos_Up]

They had to remove the wheels to replace the centre caps, as they push it from the back.

If this is true, the only way they could come off is to have the wheel off the car. To remove, do you "tap" on the front to drive them out the back? I can see where a tire rotation guy might drop the tire with wheel to the floor and possibly "shake" the center hub out the back when the wheel hits the floor.

I'm semi-interested in getting some tire chains for strictly emergency use if I got caught out in an ice/snow storm. I think one of the sites I was looking at for chains suggested removing the center hub to prevent scratching it while installing, driving with chains or in removal.

If I DO get chains, fat chance of that happening if I have to remove the wheels in order to remove the center hub.

 

[Darren]

It looks like there's a little rim so the part of the center cap that is on the "outside" of the wheel is actually a bit larger than the "inside". I don't think you could tap them inward. I think they have to be pryed from the front or tapped from the back.

Fortunately, in Virginia, we have ice from time to time, but not like what is happening in the NW now. My brother is in Bellingham and I'm hearing horror stories of unplowed roads, etc. Sounds like a lot of folks out there have chains. If there's a risk of damaging the center hub, wouldn't there be a risk of damaging the wheel too???? Center hub replaceable for $25.00 for 4 from the Hong Kong sites. A wheel....over $250.00. I might think that a set of snow tires on separate steel wheels or something like that might be a reasonablly safe way to make sure you don't scratch up your nice alloys.

 

[cambourne7]

Ask the VW service centre if they have any damaged ones they have had to replace and ask if you can have the middle bit from one? Dont ask dont get

 

[Darren]

Well with the Northwest snowed in, that VW dealer in Portland I was going to order from ended up closed for a few days. I got antsy and just decided to order the set of 4 from the seller in Hong Kong afterall. The set of 4 cost me $20.00 including shipping from China to the USA. Amazing thing was they arrived just 7 days after being shipped! I replaced the missing center cap this evening immediately upon opening my mail and restored order and harmony to my Eos tonight. (3 spares....just in case this happens again!)

 

[Darren]

Does anyone else need a center cap?

If you look at my very first post, there is an attached photo of the center cap I'm talking about. I ended up getting a set of 4 from Hong Kong. They are "ok". Not EXACTLY the same dark color as the originals, but they were ACCEPTABLE to me. Most recently I saw a set of center caps on Ebay shipping from the US off of a Rabbit and took a chance that they were originals. One was made in Italy like my originals, and 3 are mfg in Spain.

Anyway, I have 3 center caps from Hong Kong that I'm not going to use. If anyone else needs one or more of these caps, I'll be happy to provide them at a low cost of $5.00 each plus whatever it costs to ship to you.

 

[Fullcirclethink]

Center Cap Question

I recently had my tires replaced and, about two weeks later when washing the car (by hand only) I noticed my right front center cap was missing. Could this have been the fault of the tire guy? I noticed that some were saying that this cap can only be installed / removed from the inside. If this is true, does this mean that the cap can't possibly come off while driving down the road?

Thanks for any help on this!

2007 Eos, luxury package, reflexive silver exterior, charcoal interior, sweet ride!

 

[Darren]

I recently had my tires replaced and, about two weeks later when washing the car (by hand only) I noticed my right front center cap was missing. Could this have been the fault of the tire guy? I noticed that some were saying that this cap can only be installed / removed from the inside. If this is true, does this mean that the cap can't possibly come off while driving down the road?

Thanks for any help on this!

2007 Eos, luxury package, reflexive silver exterior, charcoal interior, sweet ride!

They can definitely be removed from the outside and are only installed from the outside. They sort of snap in, though. I'd imagine that your tire guy probably didn't have the cap fully seated and it vibrated out. They aren't that easy to remove from the outside (try one of your remaining 3 and you'll see what I mean). Anyway, I've got some extras here if I can help you out with one.....

 

[Fullcirclethink]

They can definitely be removed from the outside and are only installed from the outside. They sort of snap in, though. I'd imagine that your tire guy probably didn't have the cap fully seated and it vibrated out. They aren't that easy to remove from the outside (try one of your remaining 3 and you'll see what I mean). Anyway, I've got some extras here if I can help you out with one.....

This is the second time this week you have dispensed pearls of wisdom my way! Thanks for clearing up that mystery. I called the tire guy (friend of family) and he said to come on in and he would determine which cap fits my wheels and take care of it for me. Pays to have friends in high places! Anyway, I really needed to know how these install and you gave me the answer I needed. Thanks for the offer as well, but I am going to get the tire place to replace what they obviously installed incorrectly.

2007 Eos, luxury package, reflexive silver exterior, charcoal interior, sweet ride!

 

[Lefty55]

Eos Center Caps

They can definitely be removed from the outside and are only installed from the outside. They sort of snap in, though. I'd imagine that your tire guy probably didn't have the cap fully seated and it vibrated out. They aren't that easy to remove from the outside (try one of your remaining 3 and you'll see what I mean). Anyway, I've got some extras here if I can help you out with one.....

Darren my husband just bought a 2006 Eos last Tuesday and he lost one of his center caps yesterday. Boy he is not a happy camper and swears someone stole it. I started looking on line today to see if I could find a replacement. I registered him on this site so I could reply to your post. I'm sure he would be interested in purchasing the end caps from you.

Please email him at his email [email protected] and let him know.
My email is [email protected]

Thank you.

 

[Darren]

Darren my husband just bought a 2006 Eos last Tuesday and he lost one of his center caps yesterday. Boy he is not a happy camper and swears someone stole it. I started looking on line today to see if I could find a replacement. I registered him on this site so I could reply to your post. I'm sure he would be interested in purchasing the end caps from you.

Please email him at his email [email protected] and let him know.
My email is [email protected]

Thank you.

Lefty,
Email sent to you guys.
- Darren

 

[LateBar]

These centre caps are getting stolen by kids quite regularly now around our way. I see a number of VWs without their centre caps, my neighbours Polo had hers nicked while in a car park. Ebay is the answer for replacements. I didn't know thay came in different sizes though, need 65mm for all the Eos wheels apparently.

 

[David Paul]

These centre caps are getting stolen by kids quite regularly now around our way. I see a number of VWs without their centre caps, my neighbours Polo had hers nicked while in a car park. Ebay is the answer for replacements. I didn't know thay came in different sizes though, need 65mm for all the Eos wheels apparently.

The are probably being stolen and then put on ebay.

In the States, Eos manuals are being stolen from the dealership's vehicles and put on ebay.