I changed over to Winter wheels and tyres yesterday (16 inch black steel rims, Dunlop Wintersport 4Ds)

I've got a tyre stand in my garage which I want to store my Annapurna rims with tyres on. Its a spindle type and I need to remove the centre caps first.

Is there a good way of doing this without damaging the rim or the cap? Thanks

Gently push them out from the back, finger pressure should do it.

 

Check around the hole and touch up any marks with clear lacquer

I haven't tried it but i'd guess you get something like the handle of a hammer or screw driver handle and push from the rear of the wheel anything large that distributes the force of the pressure over a large surface area should minimise the risk of damage. make sure your on a carpet so if it pops out quick it doesn't scuff on the floor.

Thanks for the advice. I'll let you know how I get on.

Also would like to get some black rubber or plastic covers for the bolts while they're on the steel rims - can anyone recommend any?

Hi

The hub plates off a VW Caddy fit perfectly over the bolts mine were off the earlier 2005 series.

They can be had off e-bay ,prices vary I paid £20 for the set of 4 ,or you could try your local scrapper.

The caps are kept fixed by a large circular clip inside which on mine needed to be eased off using a small screwdriver before pushing cap out.

E/Bay is the cheapest place to buy the VW caddy wheel centres, there are a couple of sets of 4 for sale ( Buy now) priced between £20 and £30, be quick as they are like "hens teeth" to get hold of, and if they are on a bidding sale they can reach silly prices.

Tony

I find that just lowering the wheel on to the wheel tree spindle pops the wheel centre out... the weight of the wheel is sufficient force.

I prefer to use the handle of a 1lb hammer.

Place it against the inside of the cap and lightly thump the head of the hammer.

No damage and the cap will just pop off.

Zarniwoops way will work just as well but I have a habit of treading on stuff and breaking it.

+1 for CFB method, works every time, fast and damage free.

I use an old walking stick - the rubber tip doesn't damage the cap.

This thread has reminded me I must order a new centre cap, as I seem to have lost one somewhere in France!!

Cue for a song by a famous Welsh Lady?

Tony

Thanks for all advice. In the end I balanced the tyres on two pieces of wood, outside facing down with a piece of cardboard underneath the rim centre and popped the caps out with my thumbs. Alloys now cleaned, dried and on the spindle in the garage. Worth changing to winter wheels just to get the Alloys so clean!

Swapped my wheels over today.Summers cleaned and put away till March I guess.

Cold day but I kept surprisingly warm lugging the wheels around.

Did mine today as well. Summers awaitng cleaning when I get some energy back - got a bit of an energy sapping bug. Gets harder each half year cos I don't get any younger. Putting Summers back on should coincide with first MOT so my man down the road can do both.

Swapped mine over at the weekend - took a while as I hadn't fully cleaned the winters before storing them. Then had trouble with the torque wrench which took a while to get working again. Once that was done I had the summers to clean and take over to their winter home at the in-laws. The centre caps popped out nicely with just a bit of thumb pressure. There are slight signs of tarnish on them, but no white worm like the rear badge has. The first service is due in 1000 miles which should take care of the badge, and hopefully the heating element in the driver's seat which has just stopped working.

 

All went well until the last wheel when I missed a step at the back of their house and went straight down onto the wheel. Fortunately it broke most of my fall, with just a torn pair of jeans, a large graze on my knee and bruises around both thumbs where I was holding the wheel spokes! The wheel survived fine though I don't appear to be getting any younger either

.... I don't get any younger. ....

... I don't appear to be getting any younger either

None of us are :|

None of us are :|

The problem is that with advancing years your memory also goes so that you don't remember you aren't as young as you were until it's too late.

 

Now what was it about, oh yes, removing wheel caps.

 

Fred