TSW Wheels - Center cap Solution

[ghst868]

UPDATE: FOR DIY CHECK POST #11

I couldnt stand looking at the TSW center caps. So I decided to make my own center caps. (FYI there are no Audi center caps that will fit the wheels.)

Here are the results:

I used some old Audi caps and combined them with the TSW caps that I had.

The only thing I used from the Audi Center caps was the Audi Logo

[lmmike]

Will you make me a set? Are the centers the same on 19's as 20's? I would guess so, but not sure. Let me know how much you want. I ended up painting my centers the same color as my car, but this looks silly good!

[ghst868]

Will you make me a set? Are the centers the same on 19's as 20's? I would guess so, but not sure. Let me know how much you want. I ended up painting my centers the same color as my car, but this looks silly good!

Thanks

The center caps are the same.

You can make them yourself. Very simple.

I spent about 15 dollars on everything. Vinyl wrap was about $5 and the center caps were like $10 dollars on ebay.

Took me about 30 minutes

I can write up a DIY on how to make the center caps

[Wah]

I would be interested to see the DIY as well....I have the same wheels and I don't mind the centercaps. I actually like them but I do have a gut feeling I'll get bored of them soon.

[Spartan300]

Nice job looks much better imho!

[mcc21]

Can you please write a tutorial for this. As I have just purchased the same rims.

[Sasho]

Good job man!

[B8_s4]

+1 for a tutorial.

PM if interested in making it for me.

[ghst868]

Sorry guys I have been really busy with school lately.

By Thursday I will post a tutorial

[Wah]

^^^looking forward mate!

[ghst868]

Unfortunately I don't have any more pictures other than the ones posted above.

Things you need:
Scissors
12x12in Vinyl Wrap ( I bought the carbon fiber vinyl wrap on ebay)
Superglue ( I recommend using superglue that dries clear)
A set of Audi Center caps (You will be taking the logo off the centercaps. I bought them on ebay for like $10.)

There is no need for a heat gun. Applying the vinyl wrap onto the center caps is just like applying a sticker.

To remove the TSW center caps you will need to take off your wheels.


Step 1:
Remove the chrome ring on the TSW Center Caps. They are held in place by clips. They should just pop off. ( You don't have to remove the rings but by removing them you can the edges better)

Step 2:
Cut out a square of vinyl slightly bigger than the center cap, apply it onto the TSW center cap and then trim it with the scissors.

Step 3:
Put the chrome ring back on

Step 4:
Pop off the Audi logo of the Audi Center Caps. Be careful not to break the Audi logo. They are held in place by clips. Once you have removed the Audi logo trim down the little clips on the back of the logo so the backside is completely flat.

Step 5
Apply a small amount of superglue onto the back of the Audi Logo. Be careful not to use too much.
Make sure it is centered and apply it firmly onto the TSW center caps for little bit (1 Minute).

There you go. Very simple DIY.

If you have any questions just PM me

[ahkim]

I'll be posting some photos to my thread and I pretty much followed ghst868's advice. One note, I applied my 3M Vinyl while the wheels were on the car and it worked just fine. I didn't put on the rings yet since I wanted to make sure the 3M vinyl is secure, which it is. Thanks again for posting the info; I think our cars look so much better with the rings on the cap.

[well_armed]

I went all the way up the lip.

[ghst868]

I went all the way up the lip.

Looks awesome. Nice work!

[Wah]

OP, how are you liking the wheels? Do you experience vibrations?

[ghst868]

I like them. You cant see the dirt or brake dust. I havent washed them for like 1 month and they still look clean.

Initially I had vibrations but that was due to TSW sending the wrong hub ring. Even though the hub rings were 66.6 mm they had to be special hub rings. They have to have a little flange. They are designated as 66.6mm F.

So I you are experiencing vibrations at higher speeds and you know your tires are balanced then most likely you have the wrong hub rings.

[Wah]

How did you get the correct hub rings sent? From whom?

The hub rings sent with the wheels are 71.6 mm OD rather than 72, so they fit loosely in the hub of the wheel.

[ghst868]

I bought my wheels at Discount Tire and they dealt directly with TSW . When I first received the wheels they came with the regular 66.6mm hub rings. Discount tire then called them and found out there are like "special" hub rings from TSW for Audis. I would just go through the place you bought the wheels from and let them deal with it.

[well_armed]

I pinged TSW to inquire about some color matched center caps (Matte Gunmetal). If they cannot do them, then I asked if I could have some paint samples shipped. Basically help me out with a solution versus just saying no. Let's see what they come back with.

[DoubleTapper]

So it looks like a lot of Audi fans are buying the TSW Nurburgring in 19". This will be my first pair of aftermarket wheels and trying to get educated. I want to purchase the TSW Nurburgring in 19 x 8 (19 x 8.5 better or worse?) Every car website says that they will fit my 2009 Audi A4. So, should I get 19x8 or 19x8.5? Also, how do I pick the right size tires to fit the rims to make sure I don't have to raise or lower the car or that they will rub.

Any help would be appreciated.

I also saw something on here about the TSW rims need a special hub ring, does anyone know if you can get them from TSW for sure? Thanks.

[jedirocker]

So it looks like a lot of Audi fans are buying the TSW Nurburgring in 19". This will be my first pair of aftermarket wheels and trying to get educated. I want to purchase the TSW Nurburgring in 19 x 8 (19 x 8.5 better or worse?) Every car website says that they will fit my 2009 Audi A4. So, should I get 19x8 or 19x8.5? Also, how do I pick the right size tires to fit the rims to make sure I don't have to raise or lower the car or that they will rub.

Any help would be appreciated.

I also saw something on here about the TSW rims need a special hub ring, does anyone know if you can get them from TSW for sure? Thanks.

DoubleTapper: go to the sticky B8 S4 thread on wheel fitment and see my recent post and LOU's response. I discussed this exact wheel and the dimensions.

[jedirocker]

I pinged TSW to inquire about some color matched center caps (Matte Gunmetal). If they cannot do them, then I asked if I could have some paint samples shipped. Basically help me out with a solution versus just saying no. Let's see what they come back with.

So now I am convinced you are stalking me. First you get your car on the same boat at the same time as mine. Now you are shopping for TSW wheels in Matte Gunmetal. What color did you order for your car?

Sorry to derail the thread. Actually, I am glad I found this because I was wondering about center caps for the Nurb rims. Great tutorial. Will follow.

[ghst868]

Most people go with the 19x8.5 and put 255/19/35 on the wheels. Doesn't matter if you are lowered or not they will not rub.

EDIT: TSW should provide the correct hub rings. According to Discount tire the hubrings should be designated as F66.6mm

[well_armed]

So now I am convinced you are stalking me. First you get your car on the same boat at the same time as mine. Now you are shopping for TSW wheels in Matte Gunmetal. What color did you order for your car?

Sorry to derail the thread. Actually, I am glad I found this because I was wondering about center caps for the Nurb rims. Great tutorial. Will follow.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ight=fast+bits

They come with hub rings.

[Wah]

I bought my wheels at Discount Tire and they dealt directly with TSW . When I first received the wheels they came with the regular 66.6mm hub rings. Discount tire then called them and found out there are like "special" hub rings from TSW for Audis. I would just go through the place you bought the wheels from and let them deal with it.

When you put those special rings into the wheel hub, is it a tight fit?

Do these look like the rings that worked for you?



I tried contacting the dealer I went through but they have disappointed me. I will never purchase from them again.
I contacted TSW, and they said my vibrations are not due because I'm not using the conical bolts which were sent with the wheels but fitment of those is off as well. Are you using those?
How was fitment?

then I asked if I could have some paint samples shipped. Basically help me out with a solution versus just saying no. Let's see what they come back with.

I asked for paint samples as well but to no avail. Curious to see if they send you some...update this thread if you hear back from them. Thanks

[Wah]

Apologize if it seems like were highjacking this thread. ghst, PM if you want to leave this thread clean, and solely to do with center caps.

[ghst868]

Those are the hub rings that the wheels initially came with. If you use those hub rings you will have vibrations.

I can guarantee you that the vibrations are due to the hub rings. Before I got different hub rings I got my tires balanced twice and that didn't fix the issue. As soon as I got the new hub rings the vibrations were gone.

The hub rings shown above dont connect well with the hub so thats why you need the special hub rings with a flange so they connect nicely with the hub.

The hub rings I got from TSW were made from plastic and were designated as something line 72 OD/ 66.6 F.

[well_armed]

I have the same rings. I emailed my TSW dealer asking about this issue, I will report back.

[well_armed]

Response from my dealer

I checked with TSW those are the correct hub rings.

Unfortunately it is not possible to get paint as it is impossible to ship the paint from overseas to here due to is flammable nature.

I am going to do some more digging and see if I can get a paint code....

[ghst868]

You will see if they are the correct ones once you install the wheels.

[well_armed]

The good thing is its Winter, so getting it solved wont mean downtime. :-)

[kooltechie]

Here's another DIY that I've done a few days ago and the result is quite good IMO.

I measured the inner diameter of the chrome ring on the TSW center cap and it was about 68mm.
Then I searched on eBay for any Audi center caps that had similar "outer diameter" and found the following:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171077745961

FYI, I was able to buy these for $10 by using the "Make Offer" feature, so try it before paying the seller's Buy Now price.

The Audi center caps arrived in a few days and, although they had "Germany" and 4-ring logo on the inside, my guess is they are not made by Audi.
However, they're pretty good and, IMHO more durable than using the vinyl wrap, all for just $10.

I also bought the following as well (from a local Pepboys):
- The Original Super Glue ($0.99)
- The Loctite Stik'n Seal Extreme Conditions ($5.99) - for more info: http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/cnt...Conditions.htm

Here's a shot of both TSW and Audi center caps side by side.


Now the DIY.

Audi center caps:
1. Remove the metal rings found on the inside and get rid of all the clips.

Also, cut off half of the chrome pin in the center - this will help when the Audi center caps are put on the TSW center caps.

2. Apply the original super glue at the places shown on the pic.


TSW center caps:
3. Remove the metal rings found on the inside.


4. Remove the outer chrome/trim rings by gently unclipping each clip with a small flat-head screwdriver.


5. Remove the center cap logo/disc by gently prying it off with a small flat-head screwdriver.

Scrape the excessive adhesive material off the caps.

6. Put the chrome/trim rings back on the caps and seal off the hole (fyi, I used duct tape).

Also, put the metal rings on the back of the caps (from step #3).

7. Apply the Loctite Stik'n Seal Extreme Conditions on both Audi and TSW center caps as shown here.



8. Wait 3-4 minutes until adhesive is tacky before putting the caps together.

9. Carefully put the Audi caps on the TSW caps and gently/firmly press them together.


10. Wait 24 hours for adhesive to fully cure.


And here are some pics of the wheel/cap mounted on the car.

[paul]

I had the center caps painted t to match

[kooltechie]

I had the center caps painted t to match

I would've done the same if I didn't prefer the Audi center caps....looks great

[flyfishing]

If I am too lazy to take the wheels off to get the TSW cap off, can I just take a drill bit and drill a small hole right through the TSW cap and use an Allen wrench to put in, rotate and then pull to pop off? I'm gonna not be using the TSW cap anyway and I could always just drill in the black spot of the TSW lettering to hide it if I need to right?