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jmcant1	So I bought a $40K car and three months later the passenger side front wheel center cap basically disenegrates in my hand while washing the car... To say that I am totally pissed about the cheap **** plastic used on these center caps would be a gross understatement. How much do you have to spend to get just an ounce of quality????????? My dealer and whoever else at Chrysler is going to get and EARFUL tomorrow. This is ridiculous!!!!!!!! My show car was reduced to a piece of **** just because I washed it. This is unexcusable!!!!!!!!!!! Mike
pauley	huho ho......wait until the chrome starts peeling off the inside of the rims you'll really pop ........and then.......the LOW TIRE light will stay on kinda like one on your VCR that flashes all of the time.........and if it rains....O boy you better have a big box of Kleenex...hehe ....... ... but what th just its way of giving you something to do while you are enjoying the best car to ever come out of Detroit.......go put the key in and drive it you will love it..................
Dave Mills	The center cap problem has been ongoing for a number of years. I carry a spare just in case. There have been numerous posts about the problem.
jmcant1	The fact that it's a known problem, and on going, just heightens my level of frustration. This should have been corrected year ONE. I AM PISSED. There is no WAY that this cheap plastic sh$t should ever have been put on a car of this price range. This SUCKS.
2002SilverProwler	I know exactly how you feel. I have had my Prowler almost two months now and after the second week I was washing it and my front passenger side center cap fell off also. I took it back to the dealership and they said they know its a problem and everytime one breaks I should just bring it up to them and they will replace it. They won't let me keep an extra unless I buy it because they said they have to swap the broken one for a new one. Chrome starts peeling off the rims? Is this covered under the warranty?
PROWLER-KEITH	You bet they are covered join the club of flaky people This is a big problem with these rims.. PK
SnapCase	What really sucks is that you replace that center cap constantly. And all of us 99's are out of luck because the three year warranty is up. Now they say tough luck to me. Thats when ya really get pissed off. When they know the part is crap and ya have to keep buying a replacement. Wait till ya have to buy a new tranny. jason
ed monahan	jason, just swap out the broken ones with someone who owns a 2002 and you are good for another three years. It is known as the Alley Cat extended warranty. lol. I would never stoop that low, personally. (Unless of course, I needed a new center cap)
jmcant1	Haven't some of you after market wizards figured out a fix or replacement for these yet? Mike
ALLEY CAT	See this link for the MADMAX fix: http://www.prowleronline.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000206.html Read and scroll down to see pictures by Curt Stall
KatAddict	My Philosophy is that the Prowler is like a companion. costs a lot, is lots of fun, involves a little maintenance, but has a few flaws in which you have to everlook.
jmcant1	Sorry for all of the 'angry' icons in my original post. They were written very soon after the 'incident'. I've contacted my dealer and hopefully they will get me a new cap post haste. I've got a trip to the hardware store in my future for a glue gun and silicone to hopefully reinforce the other 3 caps without breaking them! Thanks to every one for all your help with this very frustrating problem. You can imagine the look on my face as I stared first at my naked wheel center and then at the broken cap in my hand. I had a lot of fun driving around yesterday but was very self conscience of my 'naked' wheel... Thanks again! Mike p.s. Any tips on removing the other 3 caps safely are appreciated. This message has been edited by jmcant1 on 07-08-2002 at 11:00 AM
prwlyn	The MADMAX hot glue gun "fix" works great!! I have lost at least one tab off every cap and even two on one of them.. Being out of warranty I did MADMAX's fix and put the hot glue on the back of all the remaining tabs and have not lost another one. All four of the orginal caps are still on the car. This method really reinforces the tabs.. ------------------ Fred J. Henkel "My Kitty's bottle fed!" http://www.lordofthelooks.com
JRL	This won't make you fell any better but I have a new '02 T Bird and, believe me, this car is a s**t box, cheap and plastic all around, and... I won't go through with you how Ford treats people. My dog gets treated better even when she's bad.
jmcant1	I'm here for ya JRL, if only for moral support! Thanks guys. Mike
Randy Hatfield	My dealer told me that the caps are not covered under the extended warranty, they are considered trim parts and that extended warranties do not cover any trim parts . When I purchased the 7 year 70K 0 deductible warranty I was told it was the same as the original warranty bumper to bumper. ------------------ Randy
GRROWL	Randy (and all) - This is why I asked the question if anyone knew how Chrysler handled "hidden warrantees" on known weak/poorly designed parts. When I bought the extended warrantee, it was on the basis of the offering pamphlet that stated, "THE ONLY MAINTENANCE AND PARTS NOT COVERED ARE . . . . - Maintenance services and items used in such services; - Glass, plastic lenses; - Body and paint items, including soft trim; - Snow plows, winches and trailer hitches; - Wear items such as manual clutch assembly, brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums and belts are not covered at any time." The ACTUAL CHRYSLER CONTRACT eliminates MANY parts from coverage, including: - wheel covers - aluminum wheels - exhaust system (this is a maintenance item?) - lights (bulb, sealed beams, lenses) - (assumedly, the fogging headlight problem isn't covered) - Shop supplies and materials (they can drive a truck through this one) - side-view mirrors (glass/housing) - door and window handles; knobs; buttons - and MUCH, MUCH MORE! Randy, you may have a SLIGHT chance of arguing this point. Contrary to what the dealer told you, at least my contract doesn't eliminate "trim parts". I would argue that the center caps are not "wheel covers" (don't wheel covers go over the entire wheel - on the order of 17" or 20"?) and they aren't "SOFT trim". I, like jmcant1 who started this thread, am appalled by the lack of quality of the center caps and am amazed that DC didn't come out with a proper replacement the first year. Anyone have any experience under the Chrysler extended warrantee? - GRROWL
WPG	I am going tomorrow to check into having metal center caps produced. I will post here what I come up with. Also, if these can be reproduced in metal, is anyone interested in having the Prowler cat logo engraved or embossed onto the center caps? I could check to see if this could be done and may be optional, if demand warrants it. ------------------ Bill Gallagher 1999 Red www.MagicTouchDesigns.com • MTD Prowler Intake System 2.2 • MTD Bypass Kit • MTD Suspension Frame Braces • Other Modifications
GRROWL	Bill - That sounds great! Prowler logo as an option sounds great! You said, "if these can be reproduced in metal". If it's not practical to do the whole cap, maybe just the mounting tabs? (a 5-legged spring-steel spider to epoxy onto the back of the existing caps?). Thanks for checking this out. - GRROWL
WPG	quote: Originally posted by GRROWL: You said, "if these can be reproduced in metal". If it's not practical to do the whole cap, maybe just the mounting tabs? (a 5-legged spring-steel spider to epoxy onto the back of the existing caps?). I am taking a center cap to the shop tomorrow to have them check it out. If they are unable to make the center caps, I will ask about having an arm assembly made for rear.
jmcant1	Go Bill!!!! I would prefer no engraving myself, and agree that if even just the tabs could be metal that in itself would be a huge improvement! Mike
CJ	I'm sorry to hear that you've had problems with the center caps. Fortunately for me, I've not had that problem...yet! Now, I'm not defending DC or the vendors that produce parts for the cats (American Racing?), nor do I know what attempts they made to resolve the situation, but I don't think that the Prowler is any different than most other cars on the market. NO car is perfect or ever will be. Manufacturers can only strive for better quality from within and from their vendors. I'm amazed that since the car was hand-built, came from "parts bins", new technology and numerous vendor parts, that it is as good a vehicle as it is! I do know, though, that I am glad I have one!!
jmcant1	CJ, One of my best friends owns a high performance oriented wheel and brake shop in town. When I told him what happened and showed him the center cap, he basically told me exactly what you're saying, ALL of the car manufacturers make some cheap/flimsy wheel caps. He knows all to well because he WORKS on cars with caps that are probably broken before they enter his shop, but the customers give him the "Sorry for your luck" story when the caps appear broken in his shop and he gets to foot the bill. I love my Prowler. I wish this hadn't happened, especially this soon. I do wish that Chrysler had addressed the 'known' issue some time in the 5 year run. I'm looking forward to Bill's caps, his other products carry my Candy Red Three Legged seal of approval. Mike
CJ	My guess is "5-year run" is a significant key to the puzzle!
WPG	I took a center cap to the metal shop yesterday. They did not want to give a diffinitive verdict on having it produced until they saw how the cap fit on to the wheel. They felt that it likely could be reproduced, but that it may not look exactly like the stock cap, and that there would be a minimum quantity of 50 units needed for production. I drove my Prowler today so if I get an opportunity, I will take the car to them today for them to look at it and go from there.