17 replies to this topic

[Robert]

Model: Cooper
Year: 1998
Description of problem (please be as in depth as possible):

I'm in the middle of my radius arm change and things were progressing quite well (apart from one sheared bolt - but that's another story).

The Haynes manual says "By judicious tapping and levering extract the hub cap". Sounds pretty easy doesn't it? However, after an hour of "judicious tapping and levering" I decided to leave it alone before I gave up and twatted it hard

Anybody got any tips on how to get it off? "Judicious tapping and levering" isn't working for me!

[L400RAS]

I managed to tap a screwdriver down the side and it soon poped out - i bent the cap though, but it straightened ok to re-use.

[MRA]

use blunt chisel in the gap .......... but work your way around bit by bit

[Big_Adam]

What caps we talking about here, just to be sure. Throw a picture up or something.

[MRA]

It's the hub centre cap that closes off the hub.... not wheel hub caps that just look nice

[ROBBIE 1]

remove the wheel and tap from the inside using a soft wood ,make sure its as tight to the diameter as you can get it ,ie a round piece of wood ,plus spray some wd40 around cap and let it soak for a while .

[MRA]

I am intrigued as to how you will remove the wheel with the centre cap in place ?

But using a good block of wood, copper or brass is always better than steel as it leads to less damage..... generally anyway

[ROBBIE 1]

we talking about an era wheel then ? ops

[samsfern]

oh, the wheel centre is what robbie1 s on about, i think that its the cap, that covers the hub nut at the back that this topics about, a flat screwdriver and hammer usually shift them.

[ROBBIE 1]

to be fair i dont know what hes asking but i am blonde ! lol

[MRA]

Ok.... here goes

If you have removed your wheel and any wheel trim, then you will see sitting between the studs in the centre of the drum a centre cap about 2.5" (60mm approx) this is the part that this chap needs to remove to get to his wheel hub nut, bearing etc....

[Robert]

Yes, that's right - no fancy wheel trims or anything . I've just been out to the garage and fought my way past the daily driver to grab a photo. It's the thing arrowed in red.

[The_Mistro]

get a blunt chisel, and constantly tap into the groove, moving around the cap! you may have to use a couple of different chisels to get it started though

[cambiker71]

You will need a chisel, position it on a point between the hub face and the small flange as if you're trying to cut the two apart and give it a sharp hit, you'll see it start to move apart, then keep tapping it whilst working round, usually a couple of hits and they fall off.

**same as the mistro says**

Edited by cambiker71, 21 February 2010 - 07:25 PM.

[Robert]

Thanks very much for your help - the cap was successfully removed tonight using a cold chisel.

Easy when you know how!

Edited by Robert, 22 February 2010 - 06:21 PM.