msrecant

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.

msrecant

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

msrecant

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.

msrecant

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.

msrecant

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.

msrecant

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).

msrecant

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.

msrecant

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.

msrecant

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).

msrecant

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.

msrecant

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

pmacwill

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. ??

msrecant

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

zoom44

thanks! excellent posting

ELX13

great post msrecant! thanks a lot!

MyRxBad

iTrader: (1)

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

pmacwill

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

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

msrecant

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.

mikeb

looks nice but I plan on changing the rims

msrecant

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.

Sin

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

msrecant

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.

RX8 Pusher

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!

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 ..