• There are 4 wheel covers, each with a thickness of 1/4”

  • The front covers are different from the rear covers

• The wheel covers sit flush against a flange (1”) on the side panel (also 1/4” thick)

1.0 Nuts and Bolts

• Nuts and bolts provide a simple solution to mounting the wheel covers (similar to the windshield mounting on MS12)

• simple initial assembly procedure: only requires holes to be drilled into panels

• difficult installation/removal process due to the presence of the bottom face of the wheel cover

  • requires access from the door or trunk opening to tighten the nut

• NOT FEASIBLE

2.0 Adhesive Base Nut

• A base nut can be mounted to the inside face of the side-panel flange.* A low-profile fastener can be installed from the outside of the vehicle through the wheel cover and side panel.

  • * consider glueing these on before installing the side panels to the chassis

  • ensure the fastener heads are as flush as possible to the vehicle’s outer surface

• relatively simple installation/removal process and initial assembly (drill holes and glue base nuts)

• grommets/inserts can be added in the holes drilled through the sandwich panels for added greater strength https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fastenerdimensions.com%2Fpanel-fasteners&psig=AOvVaw0TzJKbJqY7i-zlE2B0L1Q4&ust=1618366897250000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCPi546eV-u8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

3.0 Quarter-Turn Fasteners

• Involves a mounted receptacle on the side panel flange and a quarter-turn fastener through both panels (only requires a 90-degree turn to secure)

  • receptacles can be riveted, welded, or adhered

• Links:

  • Dzus fasteners: DZUS Quarter Turn Fasteners

    • installation video: The Ultimate Dzus Fastener Installation Guide

  • Quarter Turn Fastener Selection Guide

    • (could we glue a weld nut instead?)

  • Quick Access fasteners catalog

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-b--c3PZQs

• https://www.mcmaster.com/91382A450/

  

  https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ear-pane6600-erl#overview (Dzus panel fasteners)

  

4.0 Clip-on or Snap-in Nuts

• These are more commonly used with thinner panels (usually sheet metal)

  • not suitable for our panel thicknesses

• Clip On Quarter Turn Fastener Receptacle

• 

• NOT FEASIBLE

Decision Matrix

Off-the-Shelf Components:

https://www.mcmaster.com/98007A319/ (M8x1.25, base diameter 23mm)

• https://www.mcmaster.com/91223A453/ (ultra-low profile screws M8 x 1.25, 25 mm)

• TO DO:

  • determine quantities

  • insert components into vehicle assembly