2nd gen spindle cap for S model wheels? Dangerous condition?

[andygold]

I have a '15 Rogue SL that came with the standard 18" aluminum wheels. I found a set of Nissan 17" wheels from an S model (no plastic hub cap included)that I purchased as dedicated wheels for snow tires.

I had the tires mounted and balanced today, and had them installed on the vehicle. Turns out, with the original wheels, the threaded spindle, nut and cotter pin was pretty much sealed tight inside the wheel, protected from the elements. With the new 17" wheels, everything is out in the open, exposed to the elements (at least that's what's going on in my particular situation right now).

I'm curious, those who have a 2014 or 2015 S model, when you remove the 17" plastic hub cap, is your spindle exposed or is there some form of protective cap there....or does the stock 17" plastic hub cap have some provision to protect the spindle?

I had never taken the stock wheels off the vehicle, so I had no idea what the spindles would look like prior to having the tire place do the swap today
Is this safe like this, or will this allow salt and contaminates to do damage?


Exposed spindle


Exposed spindle


Stock 18" wheel


stock 18" wheel from the rear with nicely protected spindle area

[Ace2cool]

Not a dangerous situation, no. That nut and bolt is painted, and should hold up well. That cap actually doesn't do a ton to keep everything out, but it's better than nothing. Just find some caps that fit and snap em in.

[andygold]

So, just to be sure...are there no dust covers stock on the spindles? I just want to make sure that the tire installer didn't remove them. On the 17" S rims, do the stock hub caps rest flat against the center part of the wheel, (mostly) sealing the spindle like the 18" aluminum wheels do? Or do the 17"hub caps have a big gap between their back and the spindle area. Do the S models come with spindle dust caps?