Hi folks,

I'm new here and so is my '08 Base Fit.

I took my plastic wheel covers off to see if the car looks better that way, plus I hate fake plastic *@#%. I found that the little metal cap that covers the wheel nut (the one with the cotter pin in it) is present on the rears but not on the front. I know water has gotten in there because the pockets are rusty, but I'm concerned that if I leave off the wheel covers, even though they're not waterproof, too much water will get in there. The dealership service department said this is normal, the fronts don't have a dustcap.

I know this is silly, but it's bothering me.

Thanks,
Matt

PS - Very nice forums, thanks very much for having them. I don't know whether to post this in DIY or here.

 

The fronts do not have caps, the rears do as you said.
All Fits are like this.

Almost all of my wheels Ive had I do not run center caps. Water gets into the axle nut area all the time.
So far no problems. My car is 2years old.

 

Thanks, Ray. I'll go with it. I just noticed Fit Shoes, where I should have posted this.

 

if you're worried, take your dremel tool with a metal brush and remove
all the rust, and then hit it with some engine enamel primer and black
paint.

 

here's a pict...

 

it's normal and shouldn't be a problem. many cars are like this and i've never had a problem with it either. aftermarket wheels without the center cap face the same situation.

 

agreed. rust is just ugly.

 

Oh yeah, thanks for the pic! It makes me feel a lot better knowing that even people with fancy wheels have their (hub) nuts exposed.

I'm okay with the rust. That, and the flat black wheels, will serve to differentiate my car from the truly stunning surge of Fits (including a million in vivid blue) swarming the roads in CT.


Thanks all,
Matt

 

personally i dont like using center caps on tuner type wheels. it makes
it look too toy-ish looking.

if you want, you can paint them aluminum or titanium or gun metal, etc.
just to be different. i painted mine matte black to kinda hide the rust
and to give my gunmetal spokes more pop.