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Search for unobtanium. SLR wheel center cap saga continues


Vovchandr

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So through the 7 ownership process I have so far discovered a part that's impossible to source - center cap for an SLR wheel.

 

For whatever the reason it's missing on many (lost /fell out) and from what I can tell wasn't even ever on US models. With maybe a few exceptions.

 

I have discovered the center badge for the cap is/was still available to order and go those. In my searches I've came across somebody overseas that 3D printed a replica for the same reason - OEM is Mia.

 

I ordered those and was mildly happy with results so far. Center badge wasn't popping in directly so I had to do some filing to it to fit. However upon trying to pull it back out to adjust it, the weak "ear" gave away. So now I have to order more of find a better solution. Having this locked up maybe I'll try to contact a local fabricator to CNC me an aluminum one piece replica.

 

On a side note, if anybody with prisoner wheels wants to measure their center cap it would be much appreciated. Im getting mixed feedback from the Brits as to whether the part is the same or not. It looks the same. While on the matter if you can share what the retaining bolt is like that would be helpful too. I know it's 8x1.25 874765ba29edafebc2309a0e2e217def.jpg4c9fe7590cce545a7891bc4e7a4a1daa.jpg663603e20e2255f83d56482d608d5927.jpg06690e177721267a5498064fffa177d2.jpg

 

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Anker, THANK YOU.

 

Looks like even though they look the same they are actually different dimentions. That changes my plans about ever trying to buy them. Even though I could machine then down to size, just doesn't seem worth it. Might as well make new ones. Bolt holes probably wouldn't line up either.

 

Are they metal? Center "7" isnt removable either right?

 

Makes me feel better about not winning an auction for prisoner centers. 5278f3c195ec52f62daed969089ece1e.jpg5669e10c6c1e942d33ac0db28269086b.jpg7ba287468662ccbeb20f13716146dfad.jpg

 

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  • 3 months later...

So you are looking for the silver insert with the Super 7 logo which you are then going to pop into the larger center piece which is black in the first photo and red in the others? Or are you searching for both the silver inner piece and the black or red outer piece? If it was me, I'd have someone do a CAD drawing of a single piece to replace both and have it 3d printed or CNC machined and then have it painted as you like.

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So you are looking for the silver insert with the Super 7 logo which you are then going to pop into the larger center piece which is black in the first photo and red in the others? Or are you searching for both the silver inner piece and the black or red outer piece? If it was me, I'd have someone do a CAD drawing of a single piece to replace both and have it 3d printed or CNC machined and then have it painted as you like.

 

The silver insert with the 7 logo is pretty much a Caterham only part and appears to be discontinued now. I have 4 and broke one tab. Will try to have them remade.

 

The center piece now that I have 3d printed I'm planning to have a good friend with CNC replicate out of metal. I'm not sure if he can make it all one unit or it will be two separate units still.

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  • 2 years later...

The saga continues. 

 

I was told that the 15/16in prisoner? or HPC wheel center cap looks the same but is actually different. I believed it but still wanted to double check when my sleuthing of internet pictures lead me down a wrong path 

 

Using internet and BaT as a sort of measurement I took a high detail picture of a 15in wheel, overlayed measurements to it and calculated how big the center cap was in as a fraction.  Numbers came up optimistic. 

 

Further search discovered that there were two types of center caps. One piece monoblock and two piece where the center piece pops in which matches the centers that I own.

 

So when a monoblock example came up on ebay I rolled the dice and ordered it. 

 

Bad news for all who are following this. Monoblocks are indeed slightly larger even though they look the same. 

 

 

 

IMG_20221112_150250752.jpg

 

IMG_20221112_150300388.jpg

Edited by Vovchandr
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