WANTED - ZENDER TURBO 1 CENTRECAPS

I am looking for centrecaps for 7 x 15 Zender Turbo 1 wheels. I would like a set of 4 but would consider single ones.

Are you after the early clip in ones or the ones that bolt on?

As in the images attached -

Ones that bolt on and have a retaining pin on the opposite side from the bolt hole, to slot into a hole in the wheel.

I would also be interested in buying original bolt and locking key set(s)

Thanks.

I have been working on making a set for my 15x6 turbos, had a quick 3d print done of it and just about to send off to get them printed in ABS, I have the intention to get some cast in alloy if all goes well. I haven't got any of the original locking bolts so I am just going to use a normal hex socket bolt on mine- Let me know if you'd be interested in a set- either in ABS or in alloy if I can get them done and I'll keep you posted, I know there not originals but I gave up looking.

They have the retaining pin and are dished out on the inside like the originals also.
 

I feel your pain in looking and you are doing exactly what I wanted to do so yes, I would be interested in a set.

will your ones be dished out on the inside like in this image?

Ideally I'd prefer some cast in the same metal as the wheels (Aluminium, I'm guessing)

If you can get the metal ones made then that would be best but if you can't, some in ABS might have to do for now.

Could you please advise further on timeline and prices.

Many thanks.

Yep, will be dished as the original. Hoping I can have them ready for spring but will have to see what the printers say first, just sent a email regarding printing some in ABS which should provide me with a master I can then have cast in alloy. Not sure on the cost yet I'll have to get back to you on that.

Heres the back side of the test print.

The back side of the test print looks great.
can you please post an image of the front?
Many thanks.

An ad for this company just popped up. They are make custom parts.

https://xometry.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=14566226784&utm_content&utm_term&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkrHE0uCR_QIV1Ma7CB3hPgPjEAEYASAAEgJ2SfD_BwE

I'm not sure who or how you are going to get the alloy ones you mentioned made but could you send them any digital plans of your caps and get a quote to get some die-casted in aluminium?

I would definitely have a set.

The ones I am doing will only fit the 15x6  and 14x6 wheels, the 15x7 wheels have a larger diameter cap or so I've read here:
https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=technical%2Frunning-gear_2%2Fzender-turbo-centre

I found a photo of a set of 15x6 wheels with their caps on and the logo appears larger than the 15x7 caps, so I've tried to replicate that.

Currently waiting on one to be cast in aluminium by a company recommended to me by a friend, which I've been told will be a 4-6 week turn around. Pricewise it's going to be around £450 for a set of 4 cast in aluminium.

I did look at the 3d printing but felt it was pricey for a plastic cap that should be aluminium. An ABS print would be around £70 each and then a high definition print in HT90 would be £170 each.

Photo of the other side - the black cap logo didn't print well but this is the first cap printed before I added the locating peg and adjusted the bolt hole spacing, logo should look the same:
 

I read that article too but this part cannot be correct

'All phase two and three 6x14 and 6x15 wheels (regardless of PCD) share the same centre caps both in diameter and in having a rectangular oblong peg that slots into a corresponding hole in the wheel, opposite the securing bolt fixing'

I've reached out to the writer of the above, Bacardincoke, on here because he has been through this drama but it seems he is not online often.

I have a set of 6x15 ET33 and have a threaded hole for the securing bolt and a hole for a circular locating peg opposite (as in the images we've been sharing) and NOT a slot for a rectangular/oblong peg.

This seller in Germany prints some in 3D for 12 Euros each. https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/zender-turbo-felge-vw-oldtimer-deckeln-reproduktion-3d/2157097315-223-3140

I messaged him and he prints several different sizes etc. the one in his images has the rectangular peg. I didn't progress further with him yet because I thought I would try posting on this site for some genuine ones first.

I'm thinking it might be useful to get him to make 1 so that I can test fit it before ordering 3 more or sending it to you to use as the model to cast some in ali.

Confusing s**t this centrecap business.

I didn't realise the wheels differed in that way, my wheels are the same as those in Germany but I just did a round peg as that's what I could find photos of. The peg I've done is 3mm in diameter.

I was going to send the casting company a high definition 3D print to use as the master, but they are going to make the master themselves, I think they want to do one so they can scale it for the shrinkage you get in casting.

I would be interested to see a set of those 3D prints prepped and painted on a set of wheels, wish the cast ones were that cheap!

Wow… been away for quite a while and what was one of the first things that caught my eye after signing back in but 'Zender' writ large!

Think I owe a few apologies, but I was unaware anyone was trying to make contact.

Just re-read my old post from 2013, incredible that it was 10 years ago!

Got to admit some of it I'm struggling to remember now, other bits do definitely ring bells.

A lot of the info. was a combination of my own discoveries having had a few sets of Turbo's and caps over the years, but also from a very helpful (and extremely knowledgeable) guy on VWVortex at that time… might be wrong but they possibly went by the name 'Chromosapian' or similar?

I've still a few Zender catalogues and other literature, can try and dig through it if anyone has something specific I can help with.

I'm still very much into Zender (and MK1's), be keen to learn how the replica caps work out, it's always good to have a source for spares if needs be.

Helblu83 / Memorextape

Good to hear from you B&C.

I was going to call Hugh at vwgolf1 to see if he knew you.

I have also caught the Zender bug during lockdown and your posts have been a source of great information, thank you.

Given that you know the pain I am going through, would you by any chance have any centrecaps like the above for 6x15 Turbo 1 stashed away?

Best regards.

The MK1's been on the back burner for far too long, ended up sorting a MK2 and a 205 ahead of it despite it being the first on the scene… shameful!

In the throws of changing that hence the renewed interest in the forum… also shameful!

Unfortunately I don't have any spare caps though do  still have a set of 15x7" et 20 Turbos and caps destined for the MK1… so can easily provide images / measurements etc. if needed.

Going to have to refresh myself on the differences between the Turbo types, it's been too long now to start giving out any info. for fear of mis-remembering anything and sending you off on the wrong track.

Shame all the images are broken on the 2013 post, those would've helped more than anything else.

Give me a day or two and will get out the old catalogues, might throw some more light on things.


 

Random thought - I'm not a metal worker - but could you have them CNC from aluminium? If you have a 3d model for 3d printing they should be something a CNC shop could use. Might be cheaper, but I have no idea if they would be strong enough.

Understood Bacardincoke. Any insights are useful.

Good thinking Paceman.

Memorextape - have you looked into the CNC option? Also, would you sending me your file for the 3D printed cap with the 3mm post please and I will look into CNC options. Could you also please confirm the diameter and depth of the file/test one(s) that you made? Am I correct in saying that you will need the rectangular slot on caps to fit your wheels?

Thanks all.

 

Had another look and the guy on VWVortex was 'Chromosexual'

Don't know what made me think it was 'Chromosapian', but that'd make for a great forum name too (if it isn't already gone).

You may be able to use that to dig around for old Zender posts on there, though he's since been 'banned' which might upset things.

No I haven't, it did cross my mind but I didn't think it would be any cheaper given the size of them. Diameter is 138.50mm and thickness is 15mm overall. I think mine would have had the rectangular type originally but the ones with the round pin fit fine so that's what I'm going with.

The 3D print master for the casting should be with me next week, which the casting company are going to produce a silicon mould from. They are going to cast one on its own for me first to check fitment and finish, then we'll go from there.

Send me a PM with your email and I will send you the STL file.
 

Measured up a cap for 15x7" today and (using a steel rule by eye, so allow for potental inaccuarcy) it is diameter 156mm or 159mm if you include the pin also.

Overall depth is 17mm, however it has a stepped in profile which means the inner diameter finishes at 152mm. From your images the 15x6" appears to be straight down?

You touched on the size of the logos… I do recall finding very slightly different styles but it was so insignificant that I doubt it'd be noticible to even someone who was aware there were any existed. I put it down to when ever the piece was made as it seemed to have evolved on later items.

What might make the logo on a 15x6" wheel appear bigger than that on a 15x7 (with the larger cap) is the spacing.

Both the securing screw hole and it are pushed in towards the center of the cap than they are on the 15x7".

If either of you check your rims they should have a part number - something like 8.366.08.2 or similar (formats changed slightly through the years too).

I may be able to say what Zender intended them for, even if they do fit other applications.

The combination of rim sizes and offsets is surprisingly large, and quite often while the wheel was superficially the same  looking Turbo design it would've been a completely different casting to keep the proportions correct. I don't imagine a modern day maker would go to anywhere near the same trouble or expense / selection offered.

As an example - If you look at a 15x6" rim against a 15x7" they are dished differently and the spokes are more squared off towards the center cap whereas the others are rounded / smooth in.

As I said before, there's also the unknowns… Zender made some of their wheels solely for certain car makers, and with their own unique specs.

That has the potential to create the possibility of something turning up that doesn't conform to anything said above.



 

The 15x6 goes down 15mm (139mm diameter) and then has a step (diameter 135mm) and then the threaded block is 5mm below that, so I guess you could have a stepped cap, but I didn't do that as I was only going by photos I could find.

Part number on my set is 8.335, but there is another number on them- 46 85 which I assume is a manufacturing date?
Size is 15x6 ET33

I've noticed the difference between the 15x7 and 15x6, I think the 15x7 look better than the 15x6 IMO, but I wanted a 6" wide wheel, took me a while to find a set though there seems to be far more 15x7 wheels around.