easy removal of centre caps

[Topper Harley]

Hi

just got some new centre caps delivered today, my old ones are looking a bit sh1t and the car is no longer under warranty so ended up buying some.

Anyway i know i should take the wheels off to pop them out from behind and put the new ones on but it seems like too much hard work.

I dont want to pry them out from the side with a screw driver as i could damage the wheel but i thought if i drill a hole in the centre i could put a screw driver in and pry them out that way with no damage to the wheel and it would be a lot quicker than taking all my wheels off.

Has anyone tried this or does anyone know of any other way?

Thanks for your help

[baderlfc]

I'd say take the wheels off, gives you a chance to clean the inner rim aswell that I'm sure will be stinking after the winter.

Alternatively a bit of insulation tape on a small/thin flathead screwdriver and a steady hand will get them out without damaging the wheel

[Cuprabob]

If you don't want to take the wheels off drilling through the centre will do the job and you can then pull them off using the small wire tool you get to remove the nut covers on the wheel bolts.

Also have a look around the edge of the cap, some have a small nick out of them to allow you to get a small flat head screwdriver in to prise them off

[Topper Harley]

Thanks for the advice, I would have taken the wheels off if they needed a clean but i only bought the car two months ago so they are still fairly clean.
i will have a look to see if they have a little hole for a screwdriver if not ill make one! Cheers

[carlpea]

I used a butter knife and some cardboard!

[stunt]

Use a pick . thats how you get them off.

If you are struggling then take the wheel off and pop them out . You will be mighty pissed if you scratch the alloys.

Just had mine done on warranty.

[Topper Harley]

no need to take the wheels off or risk scratching the wheel by prying it off from the side.

I drilled a small hole in the middle of each cap then put a screw driver in and flipped them out. at the most this tool me 4 minutes to replace all centre caps without risking damage to the wheel. its better than half an hour jacking the car up taking wheels off and putting back on.

[TheSilverFox13]

I wish I'd read this, this morning! Just finished jacking up all four corners and knocking them out from behind. But, as "baderlfc" said above, I did give the inside of the rims a clean off at the same time. I noticed some lacquer starting to flake on one wheel, so cleaned that up and built up several layers of Halfords Heavy Duty stuff and voila, rims looking like new!

[Retrobot]

Found they came off no trouble using flathead screwdriver and a piece of cardboard, replaced the whole set in about 5 mins. Didnt have a butter knife :-)