Unless your moon disks are one piece, they probably creak and ping like mine. Well, I think I've pretty much solved the problem.

Here's what causes the noise. The steel wheels aren't perfectly rigid. They go slightly oval as the car rolls along. The flexing of the wheels is transferred to the stainless steel prongs that hold the cap on. The prongs transfer the flex to the lip of the hubcap (which in my case is aluminum) where it is crimped over the prongs, making it creak and ping as metal rubs against metal. Since the hubcap is shaped pretty much like a speaker cone, the noises are amplified and broadcast into the air. You can hear how all this happens by removing a hubcap and twisting it in your hands.

So I pulled the hubcaps and shot WD40 into the lip where it's crimped over the prongs. Some WD40 dribbled onto the tires after I reinstalled the hubcaps, but I had just ArmorAll-ed the tires so it was no big deal. I drove around a bit to spin the lube into the crevices and then gave it the Taco Bell drive-through test (I can hear the noise best when it bounces off a wall or another car). MUCH better. Almost no noise at all.

I don't know how long this solution will last, but it's simple to reapply. There might be a better lube for the job. I've also considered spraying foam sealer into the crevices as sound insulation. Even though the stuff is almost weightless, it could throw the wheels out of balance unless it's applied evenly. But I don't think it will come to that.

 

Thanks OLD PUNK i've had my moons on for about 4 days and have heard creaking also i'll try your solution when i get home from work, By the way your box is the one i saw on an earlier post that made me want the moons,thanks for the idea!

 

I'm still waiting for my Moon Eyes to arrive. When they do I'll lube them like you said before installing them. Thanks for the tip.

 

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...r=asc&start=25

unless the foam is fire retardant, it might melt.

 

this might be the secret to stopping the squeaks in pop-on hubcaps. You might consider a different lubricant (silicone spray lube?) rather than WD-40. WD-40 is good for short term lubrication, but it will go away rather quickly, particularly in what amounts to a perpetual centrifuge!

I finally have my screw-on salt flat discs installed. I replaced the threaded central fasteners I was using with Dzus quarter-turn fasteners. I had to do some fine tuning of the brackets to get the fit just right, but the look is exactly what I wanted, smooth and tucked into the wheel flange. Painted to match the body, they really tie the appearance of the wheels into the car.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lyle23...4b.jpg&.src=ph

George

 

My moons were waiting on the porch for me when I got home from work yesterday. :D

I'll put them on tonight and I'm going to lubricate with White Lithium Grease, which is a spray that comes with the long thin tube for the spray nozzle.

The can says, "Heavy duty metal to metal lubricant. Will not wash off, melt or freeze. High quality multi-purpose grease for automotive use. Long lasting lubrication with excellent water and heat resistance and film strength. Superior performance in any weather or temperature. Ideal for all metal to metal lubrication."

Sounds like the right lube for this application. I'll post the results.

 

Finally got around to putting my moons on this afternoon before leaving to visit the relatives. I didn't lubricate the moons because I decided I wanted to find out if I hear any of the creaking noises. Then if I do, I'll lube them with the lithium grease. Drove 100 miles tonight and didn't notice any sounds.

 

George, the discs look good.

BTW, got any closeup pics of that flip forward hood on the flamed xB? Especially the backside?

 

I just got back from the 400 mile road trip test. All the discs stayed on!

I think I have some pics of the backside of the tilt-n-flip hood. The owner posts here under the name scvscions Let me find the pics.

George

 

Ping ping ping ping ping ping ping ping ping ping ping

Started hearing that this morning. :D I have to drive past concrete barriers going thru the security checkpoint entering work each morning. Rolled down the window ready to present my ID and I heard the pinging sound.

So tonight I'll lubricate the moons and see how they sound tomorrow.

Old Punk, how is the WD-40 holding up?