DIY FLOATING CENTRE CAPS for $25! (Self-Levelling Wheel Badges)

New and improved version 2.0 available now on my site:
www.diverge3d.com.au/product/...
While my $2900 525i isn't quite a Rolls-Royce, I decided to give it a little Goodwood flair by adding some self-levelling wheel centre caps. At about $150 a set though, I was never going to buy them...
In this video, I'm using my new Bambu Lab X1-C 3D printer, along with a couple generic parts, to make a set of floating centre caps using the wheel badges I already have on the car (for about 1/6 the price!)
Download my 3D printable design files here for V1.0:
www.thingiverse.com/thing:587...
If you're interested in having me make you a set for your BMW, head to the About section on my channel page and get in touch via email.
Parts required:
M8 bolts, anything over 25mm should work fine
Washers where needed to get spacing correct
22mm skateboard wheel bearings, 7mm thick, 8mm centre diameter
M8 nylon lock nuts
Electrical / teflon tape to wind around section of bolt thread that contacts the inner shell of the bearing, this may be required to get a really snug and precise fit
Note: if you have an open-frame 3D printer (no enclosure) I recommend PETG filament instead of ABS

[@jrank1234]

MY MAN! I have a 3d printer and was just thinking of making these and found your video. Legend! and you've also uploaded the file to thingverse! Not all hero's wear capes!

[@Bythirteen]

Well done, man. Great project, great results, and great video production. Good stuff!!!

[@Matush666]

Wow man, your are THE man! Thank you for sharing the project and explaining and listing everything. Much aprish! Great work!!!! 🎉

[@ppanczel]

Great video! I was looking for a simple but great solution. Thanks!

[@mattarnold7633]

very cool, my first thought was that if you also combined a spring you could damp the inertia of the weights inside and prevent the rolling even more... Just a thought

[@cubegears]

Springs aren’t a damper

[@anestiskariotis2728]

Great work dude!

[@TheMaauw]

really cool man! nicely done!

[@captaindovzhyk]

Amazing job!

[@elee2435]

You killed it! Great work! Can't believe you only have 747 subscribers.

[@christopherpalmer4104]

This is so badass!!!

[@Truckingforlife323]

You should sell them

[@mattm2684]

Great information. I plan on making my own since they don't any larger 3 3/8 inches that I can find and those are $250 each. I want to make custom ones that are somewhere between 5 and 7 inches if possible

[@randygarza1573]

Nice! Thanks for sharing the project! Any chance you have the bearing part numbers?

[@MrCarlLewis]

Oh that’s fire

[@ImanRahmat]

Awesome, wanna trying your model, thanks dude, auto subscribe

[@TheJacobs88]

Hey man! Great idea great video! Any chance you can post a clear picture of the bolts and sleeves you used?

[@OEMStez]

I’ll try to soon

[@LaurynasJr]

Hello, maybe its possible to get 56mm version ? I could downsize it in cura, but then there would be problems with bearing and weights and i still dont have 3d modeling knowledge to downsize only outer edge

[@CarlosSanchez-vx2ge]

That's dope bro damm

[@PikySuper]

Hello man, I just printed the 4, but I can't assemble them well, wouldn't you have a video of how to assemble the screws?

[@Matthew-sh1ln]

Bro would be unstoppable on pimp my ride

[@OEMStez]

Triple screen PS2 boot setup is next

[@DrKoneko]

Def gonna try this on my Saab. No one really sells them and I want them to be good quality.

[@Reverend_Salem]

same but with my lincolin

[@Marky_Markster]

Thanks for the inspiration. I will attempt. What is the sleeve that you put on the bolt? Is it just 3/8 of an inch of rubber hose?

[@OEMStez]

I 3D printed that piece but there’s a lot of things you could use for it. I wouldn’t use rubber hose as you need to be able to tighten the bolt down firmly and rubber hose will deform

[@doriandoti8536]

Excellent.

[@DeVeLoPeR450]

Hi. Love your work. Do you have by any chance original file(from CAD)? I was trying to make set of those and I run into few issues. Slot for bolt head is bigger so bolt is spinning. And slot for bearing was smaller so grinding was necessary.

[@marko7633]

hey man, i wanted to do this thing too but if you already did it could you send me the file? you would save me so much time 😂 🤞🏻

[@horvatdavid10]

which slicer do you use?

[@Thegcodee]

How much would you charge me to do mine? I have a 2004 mustang gt and it’s decked out. I’d really love to have some but I don’t know how to create them with 3d printing.

[@patrickrice6752]

I would buy a set right now

[@OEMStez]

bet www.diverge3d.com.au/product/bmw-floating-centre-caps/

[@meguinness1116]

Any reason why you using long bolts instead of 3d print the entire shaft that goes through the bearing and then apply a screw and washer at the back to keep it in place? Thank you

[@OEMStez]

Just not strong enough printing the shaft. If you print it vertically the shaft will be weak as the layers create breaking points every .2mm all the way down the length. And if you print horizontally it won’t be a smooth circle. So a bolt is the best option 👍

[@christopherpalmer4104]

P.s. love the music

[@OEMStez]

Just a bit of funk for ya mate

[@daneloperena]

Do you have cad files these?? I’d like to print them at my store

[@serdarcam99]

you should makes weights held by physical holder instead of gluing it high g forces could easily weaken the glue but overall pretty cool build

[@OEMStez]

I made this change among others for my V2.0 👍

[@johnbarton4594]

Hi Stez, GREAT video. Any chance you could make a set of 4 of these for my 2018 Tesla Model 3. I know it would cost more than $25.00.

[@meguinness1116]

Does the inner bore bit of play on the bearing causing any problems?

[@OEMStez]

It can but if you wrap the section of the bolt that meets the bearing in tape it will pretty much eliminate it

[@singharjot86]

Well done man can you make such for SUZUKI cars.

[@yoboiJay.]

Hello, would you build a set for my Lexus?

[@lukasbudiscak1380]

Heyy..do you know how much material you used for a complete set of 4?...thanks

[@OEMStez]

Check my file in the description on thingiverse, if you load it into a slicer it should give you an estimate

[@gerritcrouse4188]

Hello listen man I make these nhe but the normal ones how do you get it right to let not the legs of cap brake when you place them in I'm using petg filament plz help I made over 25 of these different designs of the legs and does not work

[@OEMStez]

Mate happy to help but I don’t know what part you’re referring to

[@gerritcrouse4188]

@@OEMStez the part of Centre caps the clips that goes into the wheel that locks in place I made a normal Centre cap and all that but the clips keep breaking

[@Dvaleays]

This is so awesome! Do you have a file for those? I'd love to print them for my bmw 😁

[@OEMStez]

Thanks man, I’ll upload the files and put a link to them in the description, check back soon 👍

[@Dvaleays]

@@OEMStez Awesome, still waiting 😁

[@OEMStez]

@@Dvaleays sorry for the hold up mate, link in description now

[@JoseAguilarAlfaro]

@@OEMStez Awesome job man! It seems that the link in description isn’t working. I’d also love to print them. Thanks!!!

[@OEMStez]

@@JoseAguilarAlfaro Should be working now - Missed a step getting my Thingiverse account set up

[@mdang3662]

Hi Stez, I would like to know how much for two sets? Live in USA....

[@OEMStez]

Hi mate - head to the About section on my channel and send me an email to the address on that page - I'll get in touch for a quote 👍

[@harveymanfrantinsingin7373]

Good stuff! Nice to hit a home run your first try. How have they held up?

[@OEMStez]

They’ve been doing well, but I have a V2.0 with some improvements available on my site now

[@harveymanfrantinsingin7373]

@@OEMStez oh, very cool! I tried finding your site, but had no luck.. how do i find you?

[@Sha_doW0712_RL]

Do the Caps still work properly without any issue after 8 months?

[@franciscoparga2863]

Wondering too🤔

[@freedom-volvo-usa]

What are you using for computer and 3d printer ? Software ? I’m new to all this and anything helps 🙏🏽

[@OEMStez]

Computer is a desktop I built myself mainly for CAD use, something with an i5, 16GB ram and an entry-mid level graphics card will be fine. Software is Fusion 360, printer is a Bambu Lab X1-C but you can get away with a much cheaper printer

[@freedom-volvo-usa]

@@OEMStez thank you ! I appreciate it !

[@MCFABRICATION]

Make me 4 mate!

[@OEMStez]

www.diverge3d.com.au/product/bmw-floating-centre-caps/

[@Left_Field_Lou]

I need a design for a honda, measurement is 2.75 inches/69.85mm

[@disnikhavikta]

Could I pay you to do a set of floating caps for my wheels?

[@Z8Y3]

Where did you find the bearings?

[@OEMStez]

Amazon, eBay or if you want something higher quality you can go to a bearing specialist. But they are a very standard size used all over the world for tons of different things

[@darronjacob3546]

This is dope!!! Have yu thought bout selling or making for people?

[@OEMStez]

I probably wouldn’t sell them cause the 3D printer quality isn’t quite good enough for sale, but if someone asked for a set I probably would 😏

[@haaa.aguilar9016]

Im interested wouldbyou do for a 2023 genesis g80 size but im using on a lincoln town car the rims , so i would need it for lincoln insignia

[@mreverythingmaynard1411]

Hey could you make me some if I get you measurements

[@OEMStez]

Yeah sure - just submit an enquiry via my contact form and we’ll get started www.diverge3d.com.au/design-services/

[@meguinness1116]

what weight are those balls each? thanx

[@OEMStez]

They’re about 15-20g

[@Philtraxx]

@@OEMStezhi, nice build ! what diameter are those balls please ?

[@str3tchg648]

Can you make me some custom for my Lincoln towncar

[@alexandre007opa]

Crafty

[@YungTray412]

If i buy sum would u sell them ?

[@OEMStez]

If I sold some would you buy them? 👀

[@CarlosSanchez-vx2ge]

I need some how much?

[@OEMStez]

Available at link in description 👍

[@IsSOfficialY]

Man I wish I had a 3D printer, cant find anything cheap on amazon :/

[@OEMStez]

I got you - www.diverge3d.com.au/product/bmw-floating-centre-caps/

[@grasheime]

Can i pay you to make me one

[@OEMStez]

www.diverge3d.com.au/product/bmw-floating-centre-caps/

[@tdusar06]

So.....are you selling them?

[@OEMStez]

www.diverge3d.com.au/product/bmw-floating-centre-caps/

[@paulbailey5845]

Could you make me some for my truck?

[@OEMStez]

Sure mate - just drop me a line via my contact form www.diverge3d.com.au/design-services/

[@bmva8263]

You should sell em bmw original ones for 114

[@OEMStez]

As in $114 or 114i

[@bmva8263]

@@OEMStez $$$$

[@OEMStez]

@@bmva8263 Specific but I like it

[@zombiescummy1154]

You can make money off this I would definitely buy if you sell

[@OEMStez]

www.diverge3d.com.au/product/bmw-floating-centre-caps/

[@mscm4592]

Umm...No thanks. I will keep my OEM floating caps.

[@OEMStez]

This video is very obviously for people who don’t already have an OEM set 👍 appreciate your input bud

[@tjololot3761]

Impressive mod, great effort.....the only "downside" is that that the labor needed for this to work is disproportionally bigger than the price tag of the original BMW floating caps. Best regards from Greece and congratulations!

[@OEMStez]

100% true. These days I have more time than money so for now it’s worth it for me 😅

[@meguinness1116]

Bigger then the BMW price tag? I don't think so.