Anti-theft wheel caps?

gclough

Member
Hi Everyone,

I've got an Audi A2 FSI Sport with the 17" wheels, and as expected some ******* stole the wheel caps. I've got a new set, but before I put them on I wanted to know if anyone had ideas on how to make them just a little bit more difficult to steal?

My plan is to install M5 x 4mm grub screws into each of the 9 "removal" holes around the edge, which means they will need to remove the grub screw before using the removal tool. It may be enough so they just ****** off and get a real life... but if there are any better ideas then I'd love to hear about them.

I don't live in a terribly dodgy area, but they are just too quick to steal and then flog on eBay that the ****ers that live amongst us just can't resist them I suppose. It would help if Audi weren't selling them for such a high price... but hey, I refuse to buy my own wheel caps (or some other poor sods) from eBay to fund the criminals crack habit.

<sigh>

Greg.
 
There does not appear to be an easy solution looking at this TT related thread: http://www.ttforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=247263
I would guess if possible a cable tie through the gap between the metal ring (going from the photo on the TT thread here) and the plastic cap and then round something else...
The trouble is that there does not appear to be a something else in there. Maybe you could make a rubber washer with a slot for a cable tie and put a wheel bolt through the washer so that the centre cap was tethered to the car?
I have no idea if it would work but worth a try...
 
Thanks John... I've posted my ideas over there, and if they come up with something then I'll let you know. In the meantime I'm waiting for my eBay parts to arrive, then I'll post some photos of my mod:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310682489538 - Grub Screws (1 bag per wheel)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261183542046 - Tap set to open up the removal holes
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290622035765 - Cheapo engraver, to put the reg number inside

They did suggest engraving something like "STOLEN FROM REG_NUMBER" inside each cap. Even if the engraving does nothing when they are stolen by another Audi owner, I'm hoping they will forget about their misdeed and put their car in for service... then the garage will call me to return my caps.

Greg.

P.S. I just had my wheels refurbished in London by FA Wheels. Not the cheapest, but they did an EXCELLENT job... especially considering the first mob I used screwed them up and then abandoned the job, returning them in worse shape than when they started! http://www.fawheels.co.uk/
 
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