A dust cap is used on vehicles to prevent dirt and debris from contaminating bearings and vital components, and to retain grease and lubrication. They are commonly used on front wheel spindles and tire valve stems and are made of steel, plastic, or rubber. Customizers may add style to their vehicles’ dust plugs, with some creating spindle caps out of billet aluminum and anodizing or chrome plating them. Valve stem caps have also been created from billet material to resemble various objects, and some aftermarket manufacturers offer illuminated valve stem covers.
A dust cap is a device used on a vehicle to prevent dirt and debris from contaminating a bearing or vital component, as well as to help retain grease and other types of lubrication. The two most common uses for a dust cap on a vehicle are on front wheel spindles and tire valve stems. The stem dust plug is commonly a tight fit while the typical valve stem cap is a threaded application. The primary duty of the axle dust cap is to retain wheel bearing grease as it is liquefied by the frictional heat of the spinning wheel hub. The valve stem dust cap is primarily used to prevent dirt from accumulating on the inner workings of the valve stem, which would render it useless and could even deflate the tire.
Most dust cap designs are made of light steel, plastic, or rubber. While the typical function does not require physical restraint from moving parts or pressure, the component can complete its task without requiring special force or assistance. In the case of a spindle cap, only the melted grease comes in contact with the cap, and a wheel cap or center cap commonly dusts the cap off any obstacles or foreign objects. Valve stems use a spring-loaded diaphragm inside the valve stem that actually seals in air pressure and provides air retention within the tire or tube. Occasionally a valve stem cap will be constructed of stainless steel and have a valve stem core removal tool designed into the cap.
The original design and intended purpose of the dust cap may be without incident and minuscule in the grand vehicle design for most vehicle owners; however, it does offer a rewarding opportunity for many vehicle customizers. Seeking the finer details to set one vehicle apart from another in the show car arena, some customizers choose to add class and style to their vehicles’ dust plugs. Milling spindle caps out of billet aluminum and anodizing or chrome plating the finished part to add a little more flash has become commonplace on the show circuit.
Valve Stem Caps have been created from billet material to resemble bullets, dice, and a wide range of other objects intended to individualize owners’ particular tastes and tastes. Some aftermarket manufacturers even offer valve stem covers that incorporate small bulbs and batteries to provide an illuminated valve stem cover as the wheels turn. This new focus on the dust cover has brought more attention to an otherwise overlooked component.
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