LArry,
    This is a very common problem.  Most hub caps, on most cars,
pop right on.  What I found is the hub cap may bottom out, but  if you
do not pull back on them,  as if you are trying to remove them,  the
springs that hold them on may not have seated. Then the first bump,
off they go.  As for the new hub caps, it sounds like these may not
be deep enough to completely clear the axles  ot something.
                                              Eric

Larry Petty wrote:

>This is indeed a silly issue but here goes.  My 87 Westie had the
>original hubcaps in place since it was new.  After buying a set of tires
>lately (don't go there!) I lost the rear passenger hubcap that evening.
>Not liking the flat plastic Vanagon hubcaps anyway, I bought a set from
>hubcap city on Ebay.  Nice looking caps but still plastic.  I put them
>on my van and immediately lost 2 on the first drive.  Put 2 of the
>original Vanagon caps back on the drivers side and the 2 remaining new
>caps on the passenger side.  First trip I took (25 miles) I lose the 2
>new hubcaps.  Old hubcaps still in place.  Hubcap city says they'll sell
>me new caps for twice what I paid for these and that they have never had
>a problem.  Thanks.
>
>I put the caps on with the indentation for the valve caps in the proper
>place.  They snapped tight and I tapped them further with a rubber
>mallet.  I am totally at a loss as to why they don't stay on but don't
>want to buy any more for fear of the same thing happening.  Wheels are
>14" stock steel rims.  Anybody ever have this problem?
>
>Larry P.
>87 Westie
>New vert
>
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