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JeffBowlsby
I don’t have the custom plumbing store tool to remove the center caps, and frankly didn’t want or have the time to pull the wheels to do it either. So I tried another way and it worked flawlessly.

I used a rigid chisel edged putty knife with clear packing tape wrapped over the chisel edge, a claw hammer also taped at the edge of the claws, and a hard rubber hammer.

Tap lightly and slowly on the putty knife to initially pry the stainless steel caps loose. They can be easily damaged if you get too heavy on them. Insert putty knife at each wheel bolt and the center cap begins to lift. Switch to the claw hammer bearing lightly onto each wheel bolt as a fulcrum and rotate around the cap prying it out just a little at a time.

Be patient. About 5 minutes per wheel. Change the tape protection with each wheel cap.
StarBear
Huge advance! Very useful.
mepstein
We use this slide hammer tool. Takes seconds. If it’s not handy, a hammer takes a few more seconds but the slide hammer tool is slick.
JeffBowlsby
But the wheel needs to come off to use that slide hammer right?
mepstein
QUOTE(JeffBowlsby @ Dec 7 2022, 11:59 AM) *

But the wheel needs to come off to use that slide hammer right?

Yes. Sorry, the tool is for the steel dust caps.
bdstone914
QUOTE(mepstein @ Dec 6 2022, 09:18 PM) *

We use this slide hammer tool. Takes seconds. If it’s not handy, a hammer takes a few more seconds but the slide hammer tool is slick.


@MEPSTEIN
How does that attach to the steel cap?
Does it hold on the bumps on the outside?
mepstein
QUOTE(bdstone914 @ Dec 8 2022, 04:29 PM) *

QUOTE(mepstein @ Dec 6 2022, 09:18 PM) *

We use this slide hammer tool. Takes seconds. If it’s not handy, a hammer takes a few more seconds but the slide hammer tool is slick.


@MEPSTEIN
How does that attach to the steel cap?
Does it hold on the bumps on the outside?


Yes. 3 set screws. You can see them in the bottom of the tool. I just hand tighten and its good.
Geezer914
Go to Home Depot and get a piece of PVC pipe that fits the I d of the rim so you can tap it out with a hammer. Bring a cap and find a PVC reducer that fits over the cap and rests on the rim of the cap. This will allow you to tap in the cap without damage.
JeffBowlsby
QUOTE(mepstein @ Dec 6 2022, 07:18 PM) *

We use this slide hammer tool. Takes seconds. If it’s not handy, a hammer takes a few more seconds but the slide hammer tool is slick.


I’m confused by this slide hammer. Is it to remove the steel grease caps on the front wheels? If so then I get it.

This thread is about removing the thin stainless steel center caps without removing the wheels, I don’t think the slide hammer is for this purpose as the set screws would easily damage them.
JeffBowlsby
QUOTE(Geezer914 @ Dec 8 2022, 06:09 PM) *

Go to Home Depot and get a piece of PVC pipe that fits the I d of the rim so you can tap it out with a hammer. Bring a cap and find a PVC reducer that fits over the cap and rests on the rim of the cap. This will allow you to tap in the cap without damage.


Gotta pull the wheel to remove them with that method as well as the pipe ‘tool’
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