240z dust cap problems

[MarkDixon]

I have a 71' 240z and I replaced my front rotors & bearings.

After done, the dust cap on the passenger wheel went on fine.

The dust cap for the driver wheel does not.

When I try to push the cap on, it feels like there is a pocket of air traped in the hub assy. that is creating resistance. I can use a hammer and tap it on, but after driving around the block, it pops back off.

Anyone have this happen?

[MarkDixon]

Someone must have had this happen before.

I am hopefull someone would have a fix for my by the time I get home from work.

I want to drive it tomorrow, but don't want to drive with the dust cap off.

[71_240Z]

Get a hammer man.. just bang that thang on.

[mlc240z]

is it possible the cotter pin is bent over in such a way that it is interfering with the correct fit of the dust cap?

is the cap dimpled in the center from hammering it back on?

both would affect the clearance of the inside of the cap and the stub

[MarkDixon]

The clearance is not a problem.

I can push it all the way on. The problem is, when I am pushing it on it feels like the is a pocket of air that is resisting my forward motion. It will even pop right back out as if there were a spring behind it, only it feels more like air pressure than a spring.

As I said, I can use a hammer or the end of a screw driver and knock it all the way on.

The air pressure seems to go away when I get it (All the way on). But, if I drive it around the block, it is rattling around in my wheel center cap by the time I get home.

I though maybe I had the wheel hub assembly on too tight, and was creating some sort of air pocket.

It doesn't make sense that it does this on one side and not the other.

My next move is to switch caps and see if that makes a difference.

Thanks,

Mark

[Gav240z]

That's strange never had that problem, Only thing I can think of is you have too much grease in there and when you try putting the cap on there is air pressure trapped behind it.

There are guys selling these caps on ebay all the time, nice and new

[Arne]

I used to do brakes for a living, and I've seen this before. It is trapped air pressure. Check to make sure that you don't have too much extra grease in the cap, and try spinning the hub as you tap the cap on to hopefully relieve some of the pressure.

[MarkDixon]

Will do....

Thanks guys. I'm gonna fix this problem tonight. I may have to wrap that sucker in duct tape, but I will be driving it tomorrow, as it will be a warm day in Georgia.

[mlc240z]

thanks arne,

never ran into this problem, but good info gotten from experience is always valuable.