Front hub dust cap on aftermarket hub, won’t fit

Did my drivers wheel bearing and axle needle bearing/ bushing swap. I bought a hub /bearing assemble that uses an aftermarket “asian” hub. Quality was good, my issue is I can’t get the dust cap on the new hub. It must be a smaller diameter. It was super tight on the original, but I can get it started on the original but not close on the new hub.
Any suggestions on solving this? I tried crimping the edges around but didn’t help. I don’t have a precise way to measure. Next step may be to cut 2-4 slots to allow it to compress more, but worried about getting water in it.

 

You might have to buy the dust cap from the same manufacturer. I don't think I'd trust a cut and crimped cap. The joys of aftermarket parts.

 

I popped mine in with a rubber mallet. It was a tight fit but aligning it properly and smacking it from multiple sides eventually got it in.

There should be a stamp on the hub from the manufacturer - you could always just go buy a cap from them to see if the cap has compatible tolerance with the tub

 

No way to file down the cap with a grinder or file? And also a little on the hub? Throw on a little grease and whack with a rubber mallet. I think I remember getting it started by gently tapping the edge of the cap with a screwdriver. I bought one as a backup in case I broke one but never did and still have that cap. Think it was twelve bucks, about ten years ago. I see the prices haven't gone down.

 

I ended up cutting 4 slots with a dremel and pounding on with a rubber mallet. Should have RTV’d but I won’t go in any water.

 

For future reference, I had the same problem last week. Just use a pair of pliers or Channel Locks, carefully bend the leading edge in, just a little at a time and keep working your way around it. I had to do it five or six times, all the way around before it was tapered in enough to get it started. They, rubber mallet and whack the crap out of it.