Trim Ring Difficulties

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mitch340Duster

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A while back I bought on Ebay a set of 2944424 trim rings. I was pleased because the price was relatively fair but still substantial. His story was that they were NOS when he got them and he had them on the car for a month then went with another plan.
My only disappointment with them was that you could tell that he had whacked them pretty hard when installing them since the edges had some small dents.
FF to today when I'm installing them. I can't get these things to fit right. They are not sitting evenly on the wheels. Tried all of the rings and all of the wheels with the same result. No matter what I do there's always too much space between the ring and the wheel in some area.
I'm looking for ideas before I bring these to the beach for high-dollar frisbees. Are they the right ones? They sure look correct to me. Maybe my wheels are not the genuine 1970 Duster Rallye wheels? The pictures on the left are of the rings that came with the car (history unknown). Since they are not brushed on the inside I don't think they are "correct" (also notice the valve stem opening) however with the usual couple of whacks with your palm they fit perfectly, yet even with the C36374899 trim-ring installation tool that I invented I have given-up hope that I can get these to fit.
Also notice in the pictures the difference in the number and size of the "clips" that hold the rings on.
 

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A while back I bought on Ebay a set of 2944424 trim rings. I was pleased because the price was relatively fair but still substantial. His story was that they were NOS when he got them and he had them on the car for a month then went with another plan.
My only disappointment with them was that you could tell that he had whacked them pretty hard when installing them since the edges had some small dents.
FF to today when I'm installing them. I can't get these things to fit right. They are not sitting evenly on the wheels. Tried all of the rings and all of the wheels with the same result. No matter what I do there's always too much space between the ring and the wheel in some area.
I'm looking for ideas before I bring these to the beach for high-dollar frisbees. Are they the right ones? They sure look correct to me. Maybe my wheels are not the genuine 1970 Duster Rallye wheels? The pictures on the left are of the rings that came with the car (history unknown). Since they are not brushed on the inside I don't think they are "correct" (also notice the valve stem opening) however with the usual couple of whacks with your palm they fit perfectly, yet even with the C36374899 trim-ring installation tool that I invented I have given-up hope that I can get these to fit.
Also notice in the pictures the difference in the number and size of the "clips" that hold the rings on.

I have had similar experience with this. I can tell you for certain the ring with the "Oval closed" hole for the valve stem looks to be correct.

Here is a link to my thread: http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=259135&highlight=correct?
 
I agree that the ring on the right appears to be stock. Hard to say without a close-up. Are your rims powder coated? Perhaps that is making it more difficult. Do your rims have chrysler part numbers?
 
The left ring looks like a Ford ring that was used in the 80s. It definitely isn't correct for a Mopar A body. The right ring has the correct valve stem hole. I am at a loss with your description about how they fit. Are you saying they are too deep for your wheels? If so I went through this and my rings were for 6" wide wheels and wouldn't seat on my factory 5.5" wheels.
 
totally agree with all the comments, the trim ring on the right is def. a molar ring from that period. Maybe try and put your knee up against one side while you beat the opposite side with your palm or a rubber mallet.
 
I've all but given-up on these things but just to answer some questions here's some pics.
#1 shows where on the wheel the rings are too tight. FJR was close. They are not powder coated but they do have a lot of epoxy primer and paint on them. I sanded off all the paint, even greased all around the area and they fit a little better but still not all the way.
#2 is the area on the rings that is interfering. It's like the diameter of that part of the rings is just slightly too large.
#3 is with the rings installed. Hard to see but there's too much space between the ring and the edge of the wheel.
The tool I invented was a wooden disc the same diameter as the trim rings and some padding under it. I removed the wheel and the center cap (who would think all of this time would be involved over something like this?) and applied even pressure all at once to try to install the rings (which means I stomped on it after whacking the center of it with a mallet failed).
I always have the same result. There's always one area of the ring that does not seat all the way, and when I whack that area with my fist another spot will separate.
I am also able to pull the rings off with my hands pretty easily without any prying tool so I am not confident they are going to stay on even if I decided to live with the issue.

I don't think I'm going to find a solution for this so I'm probably going to list them for sale after I try to find how much I overpaid for them last year. I will direct guys to this thread if and when I do. thanks to everyone for your help and ideas.
 

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If I remember correctly, the reproduction MP trim rings from the 90s(?) didn't fit very well. The issue was with the "teeth" that grip the wheel. The weld that connected the ends of the teeth was done sloppy and it would interfere with the wheel.
 
Curious if you ever found a solution. I have the exact issue. My wheels are Mopar 14x6 and the trims rings look to be correct, but they sure seem to not want to go in enough. Can’t find anything stamped Mopar on the rings, but they look correct with the correct oval stem hold and brushed finish. Puzzled!
 
I got 4 different types hanging up....I thought all mine were football shaped holes but I got oval and open too.
 
Curious if you ever found a solution. I have the exact issue. My wheels are Mopar 14x6 and the trims rings look to be correct, but they sure seem to not want to go in enough. Can’t find anything stamped Mopar on the rings, but they look correct with the correct oval stem hold and brushed finish. Puzzled!
Check for a folded over spring tap inside the ring. I had a 4 lip clip one that refused to attach and I found one of the clips was bent closed.
 
I rarely visit FABO anymore but just happened to come on today. Hemijj no I never solved the problem. Yesterday just for kicks I decided to install one of the rings that came with the car (in the pictures) and it slapped right on like any normal trim ring would. Eff all of this "correct" stuff for now. I just finished polishing all my moldings so I'm gonna do the same with the rings that fit. I need to finish this car after 15 years.
 
In your photo titled tr3.jpg, that ring to wheel gap is normal and correct.
 
That's interesting thanks. The thing is though, they still don't fit nearly as tight as they should. From what I remember from 2014 the gap shown in the picture is probably much smaller than it is on the other side of the wheel. If it ever stops raining here (it won't) I'll probably re-explore this. Thanks again.
 
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