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hubcaps, and how to get them off.

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Starbug rustbag

2,408 posts · joined Feb 2003 ·

#246497
i know this question has probably been asked a gazillion times before, but i'll ask it again seeing i couldnt find anything in the search function....

how do i take the hubcap off a set of stock wheels? ive tried every single size of screwdriver i have, and got some encouraging words from my dad on how he remembers that it used to shit him off when he needed to change a wheel...

please... for the sake of my sanity and to give me something to do this weekend... can someone help me out with some kind words and knowledge?

thanks in advance 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
in the beginning, the universe was created.
this made alot of people very angry and is widely regarded as a bad move.

PurpleT3 Fahrvergnugen

880 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#246503
If you're having this much trouble they are probably a bit rusty on the inside. Try spraying around the edge with WD40 or similar. Then try again with a crow bar or bigger screw driver. There are special tools you can buy for removing hub caps, it might be worthwhile keeping one with the spare just in case you need to do a roadside tyre change.
Ain't nothin' like the wind in your hair.

VolksFolks Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,869 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#246513
Hi Starbuggy, by rights the trims should have two holes like the ones pictured paralell to each other, when the car was new and the tool kit was there, there would of been a tool for this job, but now 30+ years on the tools are far and few between, i made one out off fencing wire, just made a hook and a finger hole, slot it in and pull! Bingo, if you use a screwdriver or crobar you will damage the trim and paint on the wheel, depends what state you wheels are in spose.

Andy
They laugh because You are different, You laugh because They are all the same.

check out www.lowlight.com.au for low lights only..

PurpleT3 Fahrvergnugen

880 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#246518
Ahh, so that's what those holes are for.
Ain't nothin' like the wind in your hair.

ratty 63 Custom Title Time!

1,083 posts · joined Oct 2003 ·

#246520
...er...perhaps I should have headed this post something else - anyway... :P

This is one of those hubcap removal tools that came with the cars when they were new. The key is in the background for size comparison. These tools do show up from time to time at swaps (check in the bottom of the containers with the rusty misc parts in them - thats where I have found them in the past - I have a couple now).

A screwdriver won't shift the hubcap? Interesting, I think I will agree with the "rusted on" comment, but I have come accross a couple that were just a really tight fit....

R

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40hp, 6V and ...er... slowly making improvements 😂

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

Founding member of the Gold Coast Dub Club Inc. 🙂

Starbug rustbag

2,408 posts · joined Feb 2003 ·

#246543
cool... thats what those holes are for!!

with your knowledge in mind, some wd40 in hand and a funky little hubcap hook type thing that i will make tommorow, that i will be able to unhub my wheels🙂

thankyou all🙂
in the beginning, the universe was created.
this made alot of people very angry and is widely regarded as a bad move.

aggri1 Insano Dub Head

824 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#246547
I made a puller from a coathanger, but it's a little thin and needs to be re-shaped every so often, even though I used a thick hanger. I need to then use a piece of pipe levering against the tyre wall through the puller tool.

Works for me.🙂 And yeah, some of those are tough little caps...

VolksFolks Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,869 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#246549
ratty 63 wrote:...er...perhaps I should have headed this post something else - anyway... :P

This is one of those hubcap removal tools that came with the cars when they were new. The key is in the background for size comparison. These tools do show up from time to time at swaps (check in the bottom of the containers with the rusty misc parts in them - thats where I have found them in the past - I have a couple now).

A screwdriver won't shift the hubcap? Interesting, I think I will agree with the "rusted on" comment, but I have come accross a couple that were just a really tight fit....

R
Gee Ratty thats a small tool!!!!😀
They laugh because You are different, You laugh because They are all the same.

check out www.lowlight.com.au for low lights only..

ratty 63 Custom Title Time!

1,083 posts · joined Oct 2003 ·

#247959
Gee Ratty thats a small tool!!!!
...yep! Always remember that size doesn't matter, its how you use it....:P

:thumb

So, did you get your caps off yet?

R :thumb
40hp, 6V and ...er... slowly making improvements 😂

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

Founding member of the Gold Coast Dub Club Inc. 🙂

BiX Veteran Volks Folk

2,499 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#247962
Made mine from some heavy wire and all good. I also made a longer one for wider than standard wheels.
I have no sympathy for my car, only the wallet that pays for it!
Go hard or go home!!!!

ratty 63 Custom Title Time!

1,083 posts · joined Oct 2003 ·

#247967
I also made a longer one for wider than standard wheels.
...Good Idea! I have had to resort to the screwdriver method to get hubcaps off wide wheels because my 'little tool' wouldn't allow me to get enough leverage...actually I don't think I could even get the lever into the wheel...!

R
40hp, 6V and ...er... slowly making improvements 😂

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

Founding member of the Gold Coast Dub Club Inc. 🙂

Purple Martin Fahrvergnugen

913 posts · joined Feb 2003 ·

#248018
My hubcaps and rims are already dented and rusty, so I just use a claw hammer as it's so easy.

[Edited on 18-10-2004 by Purple Martin]

[Edited on 18-10-2004 by Purple Martin]
1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper

ClassicVW(pacific) Custom Title Time!

1,627 posts · joined Jul 2004 ·

#248520
Ask the person who thieved on of my hubcaps last Saturday night, then again he did scratch my wheel at the same time.

Starbug rustbag

2,408 posts · joined Feb 2003 ·

#249298
i think ive got those tight-fitting hubcaps you speak of ratty...

i have had absolutely zero success, even with wd40 involved.
perhaps i need to find myself a big strong man?

*wtd: big strong, good looking man. well dressed but not too built. needed as a hubcap puller. must be prepared to sit quietly in the front of my beetle until needed. conversation a bonus but not compulsory...* oh dear i seem to have wandered a bit

its a pity ive had no success because the tyres on these new wheels are much better for this wet weather than the ones ive got on now.
in the beginning, the universe was created.
this made alot of people very angry and is widely regarded as a bad move.

ratty 63 Custom Title Time!

1,083 posts · joined Oct 2003 ·

#249302
righto, now I'm not saying I fit the description that you list in your post, but I may be able to help (or someone close may be able to...) where exactly are you in Brisneyland?

I've never met a hubcap that wont come off eventually....!

R :P
40hp, 6V and ...er... slowly making improvements 😂

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

Founding member of the Gold Coast Dub Club Inc. 🙂

BiX Veteran Volks Folk

2,499 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#249303
just make one, its not that hard, and i think a guy would become very bored in the front of a beetle and may not fit in the front of a std bug (saying that with upper class snobby voice, as I own a super with more boot space). mabye a midget? if you want i can lend you mine? or if the wheels are s&^t use a claw hammer!! (i can give you a hand if you want)

[Edited on 20-10-2004 by BiX]
I have no sympathy for my car, only the wallet that pays for it!
Go hard or go home!!!!

HotRodMatt If it\'s old or rare - cut it!

3,616 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#249310
Get a slide hammer and bend a bit for the end to go in the holes. Slide - bang - off!