This thread documents installation of the RX-8 logo wheel centers on my RX-8. I purchased them from www.mazdastuff.com for $120 ($30 a piece). They did not come with instructions but most do-it-yourselfers consider this one a no-brainer. Note that this thread will NOT cover tire removal/re-installation details. Consult your owner's manual for additional info.

Each wheel took me about 7 minutes to dismount the wheel, swap out the wheel center and remount the wheel. That is about 28 minutes for the entire job. Note that the time estimate does not include any time spent cleaning the wheel while it is off the car. I used the jack and lug wrench that comes with the RX-8.

Here is a list of a couple of good reasons (personal opinions) for buying and installing this option:

1. Originally I thought the RX-8 logo wheel centers were just too small to make a styling difference. I was wrong. The dark background brings a little bit of contrast to a basically "silver" wheel. Also the three-dimensional aspect of the RX-8 logo wheel center cuts the flat look of the stock centers. Even though they are small I believe they actually give the car a real "sharp" look. Pictures don't do them justice.

2. It forces you to find where your wheel-lock key, jack and lug wrench (yes, all three come with the car) are hidden. The wheel-lock key is usually hidden in a random location by the dealer prior to delivery (check the glove box, both center consoles and the trunk). The jack and lug wrench are under the black-plastic lid in the rear-floor of the trunk.

3. It is best to practice taking tires on/off in the daylight, in good weather and not being rushed. The alternative is usually at night, in the rain on the way to an important event. This is particularly critical in terms identifying the location of the four jack-points under the car, which I found difficult even during the day.

4. It provides a perfect opportunity to give your wheels a really good cleaning and to get a coat of wax on them. The wax will make it easier to wash off the brake-dust in the future.

Here is a "before" picture of the stock Mazda-logo wheel centers that came with my car.

Here is a side-by-side close up picture of the two wheel centers.

The first step is to remove the tire/wheel from the car. See your owners manual for details. WARNING: be careful where you put your hand to get leverage to loosen the lug nuts! It cost me $200 at the Dent-Wizard to have two small self-inflicted dents removed (one in the gas cap and the other in the right rear fender above the wheel).

Once the wheel is off the car, flip it upside down (valve stem side down). You can access the back of the wheel center through the hole in the center of the back of the alloy wheel. Use a flat-blade screw driver to release the CLIP from the four slots in the back side of the wheel center (see picture). Then remove the CLIP from the wheel. Make sure you save these CLIPs to store with your Mazda-logo wheel centers when you are done.

Once the CLIP has been removed, put your thumb in the center of the Mazda-logo wheel center and push down. Don't be afraid to apply force as long as your thumb is centered. The wheel center will pop right out.

A suggested option is to use this opportunity to give the wheel a really good cleaning. It is far easier to do this now than with the wheel mounted on the car. Additionally, you can apply a coat of wax to the clean wheel. This will make it a lot easier to clean off the brake dust in the future. I have read that a carnauba wax is recommended.

The picture below shows the back of the RX-8 logo wheel center and it's CLIP. The new wheel centers each come with their own CLIPs so you do not need to use the CLIPs from the Mazda-logo wheel centers. The CLIP mounts in four, inward-pointing slots located around the circumference of the wheel center (see SLOT arrows in picture). Note that the CLIP is open at one end. The open end must match with the TAB at the top of the wheel center (see picture).

Position the wheel so that it is right-side up (the valve stem side up). This picture shows an amazingly clean wheel ready to have the wheel center installed.

The next step is to install the wheel center on the wheel. My logo orientation preference, based on the Mazda accessory brochure, was to position the wheel center such that apex, directly underneath the word RX-8, points directly at the valve stem. You may select a different orientation.

After deciding on your preferred orientation, place the wheel center so that it sits evenly on the hole in the center of the alloy wheel. Note in the picture below, there is about a 1/8th inch gap, all the way around, between the wheel center and the alloy wheel. Apply even pressure to the wheel center, with the palm of your hand, and the wheel center should snap into position.

Turn the tire upside down and install the CLIP on the back of the wheel center. Position the clip so the open end matches up with the TAB at the TOP of the wheel center. The clip must then fit into all four SLOTS on the circumference of the wheel center (see picture, two of four slots shown).

Re-install the wheel on your car. Again, see your owners manual for details on mounting tires and watch putting your hands on the sheet metal. The picture below shows the wheel with its new RX-8 Logo wheel center. Note the wheel center orientation with the "bottom" apex pointing at the valve stem.

Repeat the above process for all four wheels. The picture below shows the finished product.

what is all this about removing and putting back on clips. I just popped the old mazda ones out and slapped the new rx8 ones in. I didn't do anything with CLIPS. ??

Personal preference. The CLIPS come out easily and I prefer to put as little stress as possible on plastic parts.

thanks! excellent posting

great post msrecant! thanks a lot!

$120 for a peice of plastic..... No thanks!

maybe some of these good instructional posts should be compiled into a limited "how to" section?

i think it looks good, but it's not very noticeable and besides i would like some volk wheels instead of spending money on stock rims...i wouldn't spend that much for rx-8 caps

Originally posted by MyRxBad
$120 for a peice of plastic..... No thanks!

Actually 4 pieces of plastic. Even stranger is that the stock wheel centers are about $6.00 each (vs $30).

All the accessories are costly. A set of fender strakes run about $200 and the front/back rotary accents are about $60 each.

looks nice but I plan on changing the rims

Originally posted by Li6H7NiN6 5PEED
i think it looks good, but it's not very noticeable and besides i would like some volk wheels instead of spending money on stock rims...i wouldn't spend that much for rx-8 caps

I used to feel that way until I put them on. They really do catch you eye and enhance the look of the stock wheel. You need to think of it as a $120 styling upgrade for the wheels rather than having to buy new wheels. For me, the improved look is worth it. However, as I said earlier, pictures don't do the RX-8 logo wheel centers justice.

If you are planning on going to different wheels anyway, then there is no reason to spend the money.

I want them and thanx for the post....not for 120 bucks though...again, it looks great!

Originally posted by Sin
I want them and thanx for the post....not for 120 bucks though...again, it looks great!

You gotta put it in perspective, it is the same cost as adding front and rear rotary accents. It is also cheaper than $2,000 for a set of rims.

Looks good to me, easy mod and they do grab your eye..at least some of ours. I have my coming in the mail, thanks of the pics!

you dont need to take the clips off.. just tap the old ones out with a screwdriver handel and pop the new ones in ..

Originally posted by thew
you dont need to take the clips off.. just tap the old ones out with a screwdriver handel and pop the new ones in .. What, you used a screw driver? I just pushed with my finger from the rear and it popped right out. After I painted my stock ones Velocity Red Mica leaving the Flying M chrome, I just popped them back in, the same as you. As you said, why bother removing the retainer clip, it doesn't really matter.

WHat he said^^^^^^^^^^
Except I painted mine Nordic Green. Get a load of this!

That looks great crumpmd!
I have a Nordic Green as well and just got in strakes, the rotary caps and lighted shift nob. Wish I had thought of painting the stock caps. How did you do it?
Pam

That looks great crumpmd!
I have a Nordic Green as well and just got in strakes, the rotary caps and lighted shift nob. Wish I had thought of painting the stock caps. How did you do it?
PamBasically the wheel caps pop out from pushing from thhe other side so you have to take off each wheel to do it. Once out, you can put your wheel back on as they just pop back in when you are through. As far as painting goes, it is your standard mask the entire surface of the wheel cap, use a craft knife to carefully cut around the Mazda flying M logo, remove the maskinng tape where the paint will be applied, then paint. I have done these for myself and others two different ways and have used primer and not used primer and had the same results. Since the wheels already have paint (silver) in the area to be painted there is really no need for primer. Matching the color is sometimes difficult unless you buy some custom paint from somewhere that can match the paint code of your RX-8. I purchased my paint for my Velocity Red from a place named Paintscratch.com.

anyone put the RX-8 caps or Painted their caps on a sunlight silver??? if so pics please...otherwise I'll try to photoshop it (there is a huge storm outside so no pics today :(

As far as painting the caps for the sunlight silver, if you're suggesting painting them Sunlight Silver, they already are or at least so close I do not think you could tell them apart if you did paint them the stock color. The painted part of the stock RX8 wheel cap is painted Silver. I know from ordering them for other members whom I have painted these for, there are two wheel caps available in the Flying M Mazda logo style. One is entirely chrome, they cannot be painted, the paint will not stick no matter what I tried. The stock ones that are on our RX-8s are painted. For those who want to know so they can buy a set from Rosenthal around $28 or so, the part number is: GJ6G-37-192. These are exactly like the ones on our cars. If you want total chrome caps with the Flying M logo, call them and ask for a different number, Tommy will be able to find it. I found this out by accident when I ordered some from Trussville, I got the all chrome ones.

I wanted to buy these center caps, but the price is far too high for what you get. If they were about $60 for a set, I might consider it.

BTW, I just use the blunt end of a screwdriver to pop my caps out. I didn't even know there was any wire inside.

I wanted to buy these center caps, but the price is far too high for what you get. If they were about $60 for a set, I might consider it.

BTW, I just use the blunt end of a screwdriver to pop my caps out. I didn't even know there was any wire inside.
Exactly, there is no need to remove the retaining clip what so ever, I just used my middle finger and out it popped.

I'd like to paint my center caps black leaving the chrome shining through...what kind of paint should I use...anyone DIY this? thanks

Just about any automotive spray paint would be good to use for this. After the black is on, then paint them again with clear cloat. Give them 3 coats of clear coat and let it dry for 24 hours after the last coat. Then get some very fine 1200 grit or better wet/dry sand paper and carefully sand the painted area only. Use the sand paper wet. After the sand paper, use a rubbing compound such as 3M professional. This will make them as smooth as glass. After the rubbing compound, wax them.

where can you get clear coat?

Any automotive store that sells spray paint. Or anywhere that sells automotive paint, even Walmart. And, Jason, you also need to get some gun metal to match those rims. Very nice looking, I might ad. :D

Nice post w/ great pictures msrecant, thanks for your time and input.

Thanks for the kind words. However, not a real popular thread. I suspect people are either happy with the stock wheel centers or would rather put the money towards different rims.

i like these

i like these

Very cool with the chrome wheels!

Man I was under the impression you could get at the caps without taking off the tires. I wanted to get those rotary caps but I'm definitely not messing with my tires...I'm just not mechanically inclined.

Man I was under the impression you could get at the caps without taking off the tires. I wanted to get those rotary caps but I'm definitely not messing with my tires...I'm just not mechanically inclined.

Yes, whether you take the clips off or not, you still need to press on the back of the cap to remove it, which requires that the tire be dismounted. Note that I mean the whole wheel (tire and rim) being dismounted from the car and not the tire being removed from the rim.

If you prefer not to do this yourself, then simply buy the caps and have the dealer switch them the next time you have the brakes inspected or the tires rotated. It should not add more than 5 minutes to any service where you already pay the technician to dismount the tires. Just check with the service writer and he can tell you if the tires are coming off anyway, if they are then hand him the bag of caps.