I recently purchased a 97 Impreza Wagon with a missing hubcap. I'd like to have all 4 wheels match, but I really don't care if they're all matching black steel, and I'd like not to buy a new hubcap and ring assembly. Will running without hubcaps damage anything? Should I be worried about protecting the hub assembly?

 

Thanks,

Greg

If you're worried about it, although you shouldn't be, put a thin coat of grease over it. What protection will a hub cap offer?

It may offset your coefficient of friction with the lugnuts being out in the open air.

 

No I am just kidding!Nothing will be affected what so ever.

If you're worried about it, although you shouldn't be, put a thin coat of grease over it. What protection will a hub cap offer?

 

Thanks! That's exactly what I wanted to hear. I just wanted to make sure the cheesy piece of plastic wasn't keeping salt and grime out of anything important.

they suck, they always fall off. look at all the 90's subaru's running around with steel wheels, most are missing hubcaps in my area. including mine before i installed wrx wheels.

"I just wanted to make sure the cheesy piece of plastic wasn't keeping salt and grime out of anything important."Actually, they do just the opposite, the keep salt, grime, etc. stored and protected, so it can eat away at everything (rust never sleeps). Also, they fill up with snow and throw you wheels W-A-Y out of balannce, dump, em.

i've got hubcaps for my roo... they're not attached, black steel wheels are hard core, and just look badass

They do afford some protection against salt and corroding the lugnuts. If your clamate is like mine, you are better with them.

 

Buffalo, road salt capitol of the World.

 

You could always replace the open ones with "acorn" style chrome ones.........

 

swi66

You could always replace the open ones with "acorn" style chrome ones.........

swi66

 

They don't come with those any more?

 

I end up with enough snow packed in just my steel wheels. I don't need hubcaps to gather more. I do have the little metal center caps from the old EA81 wheels on there though.