Rob,

If something is "pushing" the hubcap off, I would expect to see a rub mark
or similar where the speedo cable end interfered (and possibly popped it
off). If not, I would first swap the wheel out with the left rear for
instance, and see if it still happened, and if so, then swap with a
different hub cap.

If all else failed, I would remove the speedo cable from the axle and drive
around a bit to see if the hub cap still popped off.

After that, I would check for excess magnetism. :)

Dave

On Wed, Jul 7, 2010 at 8:10 PM, Rob <becida@comcast.net> wrote:

> I've done it twice, the second time I found the hub cap. I've been
> successful at keep the hub caps on the other tires.
> The dust cap is the same size (just compared) as the one on the '83
> (the '83 did not come with the chrome hub caps).
> The '84 didn't have one on it when I bought it, I found one and put it
> there.
> I'm open to suggestions &  tips.
>
> Rob
> becida@comcast.net
>
>
> At  7/7/2010 04:04 PM, Scott Daniel  - Turbovans wrote:
>
>> that shouldn't be it.
>> after all, a metal hub cap stayed on over the speed drive cable for
>> the first 20 + years of the van's life.
>> And I assume you at least 'looked' that the bearing cap was well seated,
>> etc.
>>
>> I suggest try a different hub cap on that wheel...see what that test
>> reveals. - like one of the other 3.
>>
>> I have other thoughts , but this is where I'd start .
>>
>> Scott
>> turbovans
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rob" <becida@COMCAST.NET>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2010 3:36 PM
>> Subject: '84 Hub cap problem
>>
>>
>>  I have an '84 Westy and have those metal chrome VW hub caps, the type
>>> that you smack on the four raised areas on the stock steel wheels.
>>> The problem is the drivers will not stay on, I think it's because of
>>> the speedo cable in the cap. I can put the hub cap on and it looks
>>> good but in not too long the hub cap takes off in it's own direction
>>> at what ever speed I'm driving...  A metal VW frisbee rolling along
>>> at 60 mph just doesn't look good if you know what I mean.
>>>
>>> I'd like to fix this and thought I'd ask the list before I started
>>> making that part of the hub cap "just a little bigger".  Anyone dealt
>>> with this problem? Suggestions? Tips on making the hub cap "just a
>>> little bigger?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Rob
>>> becida@comcast.net
>>>
>>