How to Measure Center Caps
by Tim Petruccio
Center caps have been around since the days of the horse drawn carriage. Center caps serve a dual role when placed onto the wheel of a vehicle today. The primary function that most people see is the visual effect that center caps have. The second and most important purpose of the center cap is to block harmful debris, dirt, and road grime from getting onto and damaging the center of an axle and wheel hub. If a wheel is missing a center cap, the enclosed axle hub is prone to excess wear and damage.
Step 1
Place the center cap on a table or solid work surface, so that the opening of the center cap is facing upward. There are three measurements to take on a center cap for proper fixture on a wheel and vehicle. The inner diameter gives the measurement needed to fit over the wheel hub when the center cap is on the vehicle. The outer diameter gives the measurement needed to fit the center cap through the wheel. The depth of the center cap is manufacturer specific, sometimes for aesthetic purposes, and other times for wheel hubs that extend through the wheel (4x4 vehicles with manual locking hubs).
Step 2
Place a tape measure or tape ruler across the opening on the center cap. Measure the inner diameter of the center cap. The inner diameter is the distance between the two inner walls of the center cap, measured in a straight line across the center cap. Mark this measurement on a piece of paper with a pen, as the "I.D" or "Inner Diameter."
Step 3
Measure the outer diameter at the base or opening of the center cap, as this is the widest portion of the cap. The outer diameter is a measurement between the two outer walls of the center cap at its widest point, made in a straight line. Mark this measurement onto a piece of paper with a pen, as the "O.D" or "Outer Diameter."
Step 4
Hold the center cap so that the opening is facing downward in your hand. Place a tape measure inside the center cap until you hit the face of the center cap, on the inside of the cap. This measurement is the depth measurement, and is the measurement from the inside front of the cap to the base of the cap on the other end made in a straight line. Mark the measurement on a piece of paper with a pen, as "Depth."
Tips
- Most center caps today are pressed on from the outside of the wheel or pushed through from the rear of the wheel. There is a large variety of types of center caps and center cap mounting methods. Some center caps have mounting bolts or screws that need to be removed from the front or rear of the wheel, prior to removal of the center cap. Taking the measurements for all center cap types is the same procedure.
Things You'll Need
- Standard S.A.E. tape measure
- Piece of paper and pen
- Center cap
Writer Bio
Tim Petruccio is a professional writer and automotive mechanic. His writing combines more than 20 years of mechanical experience in automotive service, service management, automotive education and business ownership. He assisted in the automotive beta, which launched March 2011.
