Going through the process of taking the vRS wheels off to clean and polish them and thought the plastic caps are a PITA to remove - I assume the bent bit of wire in the tool kit is used to hook them out? Its quite difficult to do without damaging the wheel. Wouldn't fancy doing it in the pouring rain at the side of the motorway!!

Is there a certain technique? Are there any alternatives - Golfs appear to have a cap with an allen type fixing?

Ian

Nut cap removal pliers

KS Tools Part No. 150.2023

£15

there was a black plastic "U" shaped clip in my toolkit in the boot for removing them

there was a black plastic "U" shaped clip in my toolkit in the boot for removing them

Same here. The clip has lugs either side which grips onto the wheel bolt cap. Also makes it easier to put them back on. I think the bit of wire is for removing the wheel trims IIRC.

Regards.

Indeed - putting them back on is a piece of cake - just push them on

It is for this reason I now have a pair of needle nose pliers in my toolkit. My kit had the wire hook (which is meant for alloy wheel centre caps) and a space for the plastic gripper tool - not very helpful.

It's not fun trying to get these things off when you've got a nail through the side wall and you need to get home.

Co-incidentally, I have VW's version of these caps on another car. They actually do come off with the wire hook that Skoda provide, but only because they have a hole in the centre of the caps to let you do this.

I've got a little yellow plastic tool to remove them. It came out of my Peugeot 206 so cost nothing. has two clips that attach to the nut cover and pull it out. Simple.