Has anyone else had their centre caps damaged by dealers/tyre fitters putting them on misaligned, bending the locating tabs? I've had two damaged up to now.
General Wheel Centre Caps
- Thread starter staffordmike
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General Wheel Centre Caps
The Twins
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Yes, tabs snap off if not carefully aligned : /
I have changed centre caps for differing designs when I had my TA Lounge. There is a thread on forum somewhere giving advice as to how to remove the caps without damage.
If I remember correctly: use a flat piece of plastic like an unembossed credit/charge card. Slide this behind the small cut out and gently pull towards you. You should then be able to assert a little more leverage and the cap pulls off easily. Have the ground covered with something soft in case the caps flies off to prevent damage.
I tried this after having struggled earlier and it works fine. Alternatively a padded flat blade screwdriver works. The padding protects the cap and also the alloy.
Hope the above makes sense. I'm sure those members with total recall will be able to highlight the thread that I have made reference to.
My method is to put literally anything (receipt for petrol works and is readily available in the car) inbetween the wheel and the screwdriver to protect the surface and just lever it off carefully. Have your hand waiting to catch the centre cap as it will fly off with some enthusiasm
I don't have a problem removing the caps, I have a screwdriver with gaffer tape wrapped round it to start the process and then pull it off by hand, with a large towel on the ground for insurance as they tend to shoot off no matter how careful I am. The problem is when other people put them back on. I think some caps fit more easily than others as the spring ring things on the back vary in size and the stiff caps get put on wonky.
They're all the same size on the 500, you just need to make sure it's going on straight before giving it a whack with the palm of your hand to hammer it home.
I find there are differences between caps even in a matching set. Despite the spring ring things presumably being made by a machine, some have a smaller gap at the end and for want of a better term get "coil bound" when you are refitting the caps. I may take a Dremel to mine and make all the gaps the same size to ease fitting.
never found that to be the case with mine and I have 4 different sets
The Twins
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I have a couple of black centre caps with chrome 500 if you want them? I can send them to you if you PM me.
Are they the standard ones?
Well I did have the advantage of having written it in the first placeJR the Total recall guru!!
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Well I did have the advantage of having written it in the first place
Being one of the few contributors on here has its advantages doesn't it!
Well I did have the advantage of having written it in the first place
I had a feeling it was down to you as you have posted so many useful threads on 'How to do' but I was not sure and as it was nearing my bedtime, (an age thing) as Grimwau will appreciate, I just did not have the time to search. Keep up the good work
:devil:
I saw one of these when I visited the dentist earlier this week. OUCH!!!
Chas, I thought you just sent your teeth in for a service by post, didn't know you actually had to take them in personally.
