I picked up a set of excellent BF Goodrich Traction TA tires on steel rims off a junkyard HHR. Tires were needed but the steelies were plain (but cheap!), I substituted theses for a beaten set of 17 inch alloys that have new but very low quality tires that I can best describe as "NOT RATED TRACTION DEVICES." Blacklion tires are... <spits>MEH.

These are 215/55R16. No hubcaps found on any HHR to speak of... but those are kind of ugly anyhow.

Here is my Solution:




These are the 16 inch standard HHR steel rims
I did check the center cap solution on the 5 spoke <steel> rims, but they do not fit... unless you want to cut them alot.

The Center-Cap is off of an 02-04 Chevy Malibu that uses the 5x115 wheel bolt pattern.
I don't have a specific part number, but the item can be identified as "chart number" 9593499, however this also cross indexes to a Saturn Vue variant. A similar cap is also available as variants that have Pontiac(silver and chrome), Oldsmobile(silver and chrome), or no logo (stainless steel) with a round knob on the center that comes off a different Saturn. All these center-caps came from the center of alloy rims and include built-in lug-nut-caps as retainers. The stock center-cap lug-nut-caps did not fit and were discarded

Lug-Nuts are standard GM threaded lug nuts, used on steel wheel HHRs, but I often find these on 06-14 impala if equipped with hubcaps.

Lug-Nut-Covers are short black plastic, they were sourced from a 97-03 Pontiac Grand Prix.

Trim Rings are from a 1990s Chevy Silverado 2500, the retaining tangs had to be bent outward to increase tension and grip. None have separated since install. I have also seen 17" trim rings on 2500 Silverados if you need such parts. These trim rings are common also on GMC and Chevy trucks and vans of the era.




The center-cap hole pattern is actually slightly large than the HHR bolt-pattern, they can not be installed with their stock lug-nut-covers. Pry them out gently and discard. With the threaded lug-nut installed you can press the cap over the lug nuts. The thread of the lug nuts will rub and grip the inner most part of the hole in the center cap. The cap will bind in place when you slip them on. However, if you want to be able to remove without removing lug nuts, you would have to trim the hole for clearance.


Last touch is the Pontiac lug nut covers, which help secure and beautify them (I do need to polish them). They do not protrude into the hole and stop at the contact surface the original nuts had a flange at.



Steelies are cheap enough I already have a full size spare and extra trim rings for a when needed. GF is a professional curb tester. lol


I have one question for you guys. What if I paint them white? ok.. Two. Anyone photoshop?

 

If you can find spoked steelies they would look even better.

 

No go, I covered that. (sorry for lack of clarity)

I did not conclude it impossible, but I didn't see the need to at this moment. No need to spend the funds when these rims work well enough. Perhaps when it is time for new tires, we will see if I can find a way to go 5 spoke. I did grab one 16" 5 spoke and have spare parts to fab with. I am also okay with the 16 over 17, pot holes here suck.

 

I’ve done the 16 inch steelies in red, no beauty rings
Why not white!


Still looking good the day it was picked up by new owner

Oldblue in red steely rims

Fresh from the powder coating, caps are Toyota pickup, lug nut caps are 1988 Pontiac Trans AM

The lug nut caps friction fit to hold the caps in place.

 

Time and weather. Maybe next summer.

Those Toyota caps would work with the steel 5 spokes, so that could be an option, though not my preference.
Those stainless lug covers appear to be the same as used on 95-00 Monte Carlos/Luminas, I have used them in other applications.

Here's a loose rim pic. It would require custom long lug-nuts... Or faith in welding lug-nuts end to end. lol

 

I like the 'holey moley rims trimmed up, like U did. Different look.

5 spokes would look good too, but then your brakes would look like they need painted too. One mod leads to 15 more.. LOL

 

Looks great! I myself have been looking into some 16 trim rings from a GMT400 for my hhr too, but hadn't found a definitive answer if they fit. This is great to hear. The car looks nice, and done on a budget too, even better.

 

I am hoping to do this to my wheels after one of my hubcaps cracked but I have a few questions, 1. Does the center cap stay on without the lug nut covers (I personally like it better without the lug covers) 2. Do the lug covers actually fit into the center cap like how the ones that came with it do? Meaning that they will stay in the center cap unless pryed out? Also do the lug covers actually screw onto the factory lugs? I have the factory threaded ones that held hub caps on.

2009 LS MT

 

The stainless lug caps on Oldblue were sourced from a 1988 Pontiac Trans Am