Vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing same

摘要

An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same includes a wheel cover (16) secured to a vehicle wheel. The method for producing the vehicle wheel (10) includes the steps of: (a) providing a vehicle wheel including a disc (14) defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange (20), the outboard bead seat retaining flange including an outer peripheral end having an annular groove (64) formed therein; (b) providing a wheel cover defining an inner cover surface and an outer cover surface, the wheel cover including an outer end (70); (c) applying a sealant (82) to one of the outboard facing wheel surface and the inner cover surface; (d) supporting the wheel and the cover in coaxial relationship relative to one another; (e) selectively moving the wheel and the cover toward one another to enable the sealant to initially secure the wheel and the cover together; (f) providing a metal deforming tool (100) having a tool end, the tool end having a leading end (102A) and a trailing end (102B), the leading end defining a first tool profile and the trailing end defining a second tool profile which is different from the first tool profile; and (g) selectively operating the metal deforming tool to cause the leading end of the tool to initially engage and deform the outer end of the wheel cover followed by the trailing end of the tool engaging the deforming the outer end of the wheel cover into the groove in a permanent mechanical lock connection therewith whereby the wheel cover covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface and the entire portion of the outer peripheral end of the outboard bead seat retaining flange (34).