03 Econoline keeps losing hubcaps

I have a new 2003 E-150 Econoline cargo van that keeps losing hubcaps from the right front wheel. Have lost 3 in the last 1400 miles. Dealer replaced the wheel last time thinking it was defective but lost number 3 hubcap just last week from the new wheel.

Normal street driving with some minor dirt road driving that is bit washboard causing some front end vibration but nothing out of the ordinary. Tire pressure is kept at factory 41 PSI on stock michellin tires. Any thoughts as a possible cause to the problem? Shocks? front end? aliens?

Heck, where's Archie Campbell and his rubber chicken when we need him? :)

Alvin in AZ

When it was in the shop for the wheel replacement, I assume it was balanced.

No, each hubcap that has been lost has been replaced with a new one. The problem is not with the hubcap or apparently the wheel as well. Something else is causing the hubcap to be dislodged. None of the other 3 wheels have the same problem, caps have been on since I purchased the van (new) last May. And no, the tires have not been rotated, maybe they will do it when I bring it back in next week.

Currently I am waiting on the Ford dealer to call me when the new (#4) hubcap arrives. I don't know what they are going to do to resolve the problem. I'm hesitant to go anywhere of any distance not knowing what exactly is going on. Checked AllData for any simular problems and found nothing.

03 Econoline keeps losing hubcaps Group: alt.trucks.ford Date: Thu, Sep 18, 2003, 12:31pm (CDT+5) From: snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com (Jim=A0Bang)

I have a new 2003 E-150 Econoline cargo van that keeps losing hubcaps from the right front wheel. Have lost 3 in the last 1400 miles. Dealer replaced the wheel last time thinking it was defective but lost number 3 hubcap just last week from the new wheel. Normal street driving with some minor dirt road driving that is bit washboard causing some front end vibration but nothing out of the ordinary. Tire pressure is kept at factory 41 PSI on stock michellin tires. Any thoughts as a possible cause to the problem? Shocks? front end? aliens?

..........

Rotate the tires and see what happens while your waiting on the dealer to get the new caps.

Never know........

and it'd be interesting to see if it still happened.

Scribb Abel

In a pinch...............wet boogers make for a good adhesive.......when allowed to dry for a period of time.

Two things. Either insist that they put that wheel on another corner to test and see if another wheel on that corner throws hubcaps, or put a new wheel to replace that wheel. I'll bet that, for some reason that wheel is flexing.

Tom J

On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 12:31:34 +0000, Jim Bang rearranged some electrons to form:

Bent wheel?

An out of round tire can still balance out so this is still something that you might want to investigate. (Usually though you will feel an out of round tire when driving as it feels like it is out of balance.)

Matt

Possible defective shock in that corner?

same hubcap?

might be time break out the welder, or go hubless (capless?)

"mainiacs" wrote

That's what I am thinking since the vehicle is brand new, has less then 1400 miles on it, has had the suspect wheel replaced with a new one yet still managed to lose another cap. Could it be the actual tire causing the problem? I don't know but you'd think the dealer would have checked on that after replacing 3 hubcaps already. Still waiting to hear from the Ford Dealer, it's been 5 days now, they seem to be dragging their feet on this... Ford customer satisfaction level is beginning to drop.....