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Center Cap Removal
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 867
Likes: 0
From: Wright City MO
Center Cap Removal
How do you remove the center caps without damaging them?
I watched the guy very carefully try to remove mine when i was getting my new wheels installed and 1 tab broke off on 2 of the caps.
I mean...i watched him...he did NOT man handle the caps!
I bought some new ones and would like to put them on, but i'm reluctant because i don't want to break the ones i have.
Any tips?
I watched the guy very carefully try to remove mine when i was getting my new wheels installed and 1 tab broke off on 2 of the caps.
I mean...i watched him...he did NOT man handle the caps!
I bought some new ones and would like to put them on, but i'm reluctant because i don't want to break the ones i have.
Any tips?
Last edited by Makai2200; Mar 23, 2008 at 02:20 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
Likes: 6
From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi Makai2200 -
Someone must have cracked the tabs when they installed them prior.
On all of the C5's I have worked on, I just pull the center caps off with my fingers after the lug nuts are removed.
You really do not have to remove the center caps at all unless you are remounting tires.
To re-install, just pop in the new ones - center them up and push them in evenly.
best regards -
mqqn
Someone must have cracked the tabs when they installed them prior.
On all of the C5's I have worked on, I just pull the center caps off with my fingers after the lug nuts are removed.
You really do not have to remove the center caps at all unless you are remounting tires.
To re-install, just pop in the new ones - center them up and push them in evenly.
best regards -
mqqn
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 867
Likes: 0
From: Wright City MO
So your saying that if i just want to change out my center caps...i have to remove the lug nuts first? Theres no way to do it 'safely' with them on?
Well thanx for your help...i just learned something new today
Well thanx for your help...i just learned something new today
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
Likes: 6
From: Winchester TN
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Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi Makai2200 -
No - I said that removing the lug nuts allows me to just pull them off with my hands -
With the lug nuts in place, my fingers are too big to get a good grip on the cap -
If you want to remove them with the lugs nuts in place, you will need a pry tool (plastic spatula?) to gently pull an edge up and then just pull them off by hand.
If the ones that you purchased are identical to the ones that are on your car, just remove the broken ones and then you would not have to worry about breaking the ones that are not broken.
best regards -
mqqn
No - I said that removing the lug nuts allows me to just pull them off with my hands -
With the lug nuts in place, my fingers are too big to get a good grip on the cap -
If you want to remove them with the lugs nuts in place, you will need a pry tool (plastic spatula?) to gently pull an edge up and then just pull them off by hand.
If the ones that you purchased are identical to the ones that are on your car, just remove the broken ones and then you would not have to worry about breaking the ones that are not broken.
best regards -
mqqn
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For every job there is a tool! As soon as I find more coat hangers I'll go into production. It also works for getting battery fill caps off. Maybe I should use stainless wire with a leather handle and add the Corvette tax?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,954
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From: New Rochelle, NY New York
I take one lug off, and with the back of a pair of pliers that I have wrapped with electrical tape i very gently pry one end loose. I then can get to them easily enough with my fingers to pull off.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 867
Likes: 0
From: Wright City MO
Thanx for all the help guys! yeah i was hoping there was a way to safely remove them "without" having to take off the lugs 
Nice tool there QSZ I'll have to make me one of them and give it a try. 
yeah i was hoping there was a way to safely remove them "without" having to take off the lugs Nice tool there QSZ
I'll have to make me one of them and give it a try.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 1
From: Sartell Minnesota
a BFS
big f**kin' Screwdriver. haha no i just use a small flat head. idk i don't pull the lugs, just the lug covers. i always pull the center caps when i pull the tires. Just in my nature
~Cole~
big f**kin' Screwdriver. haha no i just use a small flat head. idk i don't pull the lugs, just the lug covers. i always pull the center caps when i pull the tires. Just in my nature ~Cole~
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
That's a cool tool....
