Anyone know where I can get ahold of one of the screws used to attach the wheel covers? The dealer wants $20 for ONE and I know I've seen similar screws elsewhere. Trips to local hardware stores come up empty as expected.
I don't know what they're called to do a Google search but I'd call them something like "slotted quarter or half-turn screw" since they have a small notch cut out on the bottom tip of the screw such that they only need a small turn before they lock. I can probably rig up a regular bolt and nut but for now, would like to see if I can find the real thing.
One of mine popped out last Monday as I was driving a twisty road and I heard this awful scraping sound. I thought a rock flew up and hit the car but since this is a 1 lane road with very few turn offs I couldn't pull over for about 2 miles. It turned out that the entire wheel cover was hanging from the back-most screw and had twisted itself such that it was inside out and had been dragging on its tip the whole while. To my amazement,
virtually no damaged occured to the wheel cover, no scratches, or dents. The back screw held very well but the piece it's attached to (on the body) is slightly bent. I think it'd be easy to bend it back in place so the panel fits flush again. It took quite a while for me to unscrew it and I placed the panel in the back of the car. It felt weird driving w/o that panel and I'm sure I got more stares than usual as I drove it the next 15 miles to the dealer.
For now I used two thick tie wraps on each end to re-attach the wheel cover. It's worked fine for last 5 days although it's not a perfect fit (some gaps between the cover and the opening but that's due to the bent attachment point for the back screw).
Found this good pix on InsightCentral (which I think is dead since no replies to my request to join the list in last 6 months). It shows the screws although now w/the newer model, the problem he says of them rusting doesn't happen (mine are already black so assume coated properly).
http://www.insightcentral.net/owners...fasteners.html
Thnx,
Deb