How to remove centercaps on a factory rim?
#1
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How to remove centercaps on a factory rim?
I am replacing my gold centercaps with the regular caps with the black acura emblem.
The dealer that I bought them from says that the best way to remove them is to take the wheel off and push them out from the back!
Is there a way to get them out without having to do that? I don't wanna scratch my rims from poking a screwdriver in there, but I really don't wanna have to take off 4 tires! Any ideas???
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2000 White Diamond Pearl
The dealer that I bought them from says that the best way to remove them is to take the wheel off and push them out from the back!
Is there a way to get them out without having to do that? I don't wanna scratch my rims from poking a screwdriver in there, but I really don't wanna have to take off 4 tires! Any ideas???
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2000 White Diamond Pearl
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#2
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Take the wheel off and just push it off from behind with the handle of the screwdrive.. It comes right off.
Ed
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#3
Sorry, but the best way is to take off the wheels. It shouldn't take too long at all...If you have a hydraulic jack you can raise one side and do 2 at a time. You can roatate your tires too...That's what I did...
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2001 Acura TL Laguna Green Metallic
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2001 Acura TL Laguna Green Metallic
Stock for now...
Wood Grain kit/Wood Knob/Rear Spoiler/Inspire Lights/K&N Filter ...More to come very soon!
djalliance@acura-tl.com
#5
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In order not to scratch the rims you need to take off the wheels. You could use this time to do other stuff too. Rotate tires, clean inside of the rims or brakes.
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Tom
2001 Nighthawk Black Pearl TL
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Tom
2001 Nighthawk Black Pearl TL
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#7
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Originally posted by Pedestrian:
Of course, you can drill a hole in the middle of the center cap, and either use a small hook to pull it out, or just pry on it with a screw driver. So, it's your choice, take off the wheel or destroy the gold center cap.
P.
Of course, you can drill a hole in the middle of the center cap, and either use a small hook to pull it out, or just pry on it with a screw driver. So, it's your choice, take off the wheel or destroy the gold center cap.
P.
You could also try the handle end of a wooden hammer and tap lightly on the cap to get it out.
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#9
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Originally posted by swhtech:
I don't wanna scratch my rims from poking a screwdriver in there, but I really don't wanna have to take off 4 tires! Any ideas???
I don't wanna scratch my rims from poking a screwdriver in there, but I really don't wanna have to take off 4 tires! Any ideas???
#10
Follow NSXNEXT's advice. That is the proper and easiest way. Also if you did have a hydraulic jack you should not work on a car supported that way. The jack is used to raise the car so that a stationary jack can be placed to support the car. Hydraulic jacks can rupture a seal without warning and drop. The jack that comes with the car is safer and you should know how to change a tire in an emergency. Now you have a chance to practice four times. Be sure to block your wheels.
#11
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Go down to NTB or Discount Tire and have your tires balanaced and rotated. When the guys pulls em off, quickly pop out the centercap and put the new one in. Your total walkout should not cost you much at all. Safe and easy
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-- Steve-o
'01 TL (non-nav) - Silver
'00 Lexus ES300 - Pearl White, 16" Wheels, Xeon
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-- Steve-o
'01 TL (non-nav) - Silver
'00 Lexus ES300 - Pearl White, 16" Wheels, Xeon
#12
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Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm gonna try and pry one out with something that won't scratch the rim, and if that doesn't work I thought about bringing it over to Direct Tire and having them rotate\balance the tires, and I could change the centercaps when they have the tires off. Or I may just use the jack and remove each wheel at a time and clean the inside of the rim and change the center cap. By the way, the black chrome badges on WDP looks awesome! I left off the A-C-U-R-A for a bit of a cleaner look. Thanks for all the suggestions!
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2000 White Diamond Pearl
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2000 White Diamond Pearl
- Navigation
- Factory Spoiler
- Burlwood Shifter
- Gold Kit
- Viper 550ESP Remote Start
- K40 Undetectable Radar
- PIAA Plasma Hi-Beams
#13
Hey guys I didn't see anyone suggesting this so I thought I'd give it a shot. I notice the center cap sort of resting there loosely, you can spin it. But I don't know how tight it is to push and pull out. But I was wondering if you can get a good suction cup. One slightly smaller than cap and suck that sucker out of there. You know those suction thing you use to pull the boards to lay network cables and stuff. Those sucker are strong. I'd give it a shot. I know my friend got his centercap stolen, if I see the theif I'll ask him how they did it
#14
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I was able to remove all four caps just now when I was out at lunch. Because I have the gold emblems, I was able to just get my fingernails underneath the gold emblem and pull the centercap out. I can see if you didn't have the gold emblem to grab onto, it would be hard to remove them without taking the wheels off. Thanks for all the suggestions!
#15
I thought I was the only lazy bastard on AZ (have tools jack and stands). I've heard about the suction cup thing and if that doesn't work for me, I'm a drillin!
#20
3rd Gear
Another way
If the center cap is old, as mine were, a very easy way is to take a screw gun and a self tapping screw and tap the middle of the cap. Once you are in just a few threads, you can pull the cap right out. Took me less than 5 minutes to swap them out with new ones.
If you need to preserve the caps, this will not work
If you need to preserve the caps, this will not work
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#22
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Oh, and for a little bit of helpful info...
Gorilla Tape.
Clean the cap.
Tear off a piece of Gorilla Tape and fold it in the middle so it starts to stick to itself but don't fold it all the way. You should still have the ends free.
Now stick the ends to the cap and press it down real good.
Now you should have the tape firmly stuck to the cap and have a little tab of doubled over tape sticking out in the middle.
Grab that tab with your manly hands (or use a pair of pliers if you have dainty hands like me) and yank that sucker off like you're pulling a loose tooth.
Cap should pop right out.
Gorilla Tape.
Clean the cap.
Tear off a piece of Gorilla Tape and fold it in the middle so it starts to stick to itself but don't fold it all the way. You should still have the ends free.
Now stick the ends to the cap and press it down real good.
Now you should have the tape firmly stuck to the cap and have a little tab of doubled over tape sticking out in the middle.
Grab that tab with your manly hands (or use a pair of pliers if you have dainty hands like me) and yank that sucker off like you're pulling a loose tooth.
Cap should pop right out.
#23
Pro
By the time you found your gorilla tape I would have all 4 caps off from jacking the car up, taking off all 4 wheels and popping them out from the backside.
Takes me 5 minutes and I work slow.
Takes me 5 minutes and I work slow.
#24
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Originally Posted by musiclevelz5
l
Takes me 5 minutes and I work slow.
Takes me 5 minutes and I work slow.
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