Lug Bolt Cover Removal

[emg77]

Rather than dig up an old thread, I'm starting a new one.

I rotated my tires (and cleaned/waxed the rims before winter) and got a chance to use the lug-bolt cover removal tool. I took some poor quality cell-phone pictures of the tool and location in the jack kit. It's just a bent piece of thick wire. The small end snaps into the groove on the cover, and you use the large end as a lever to pry the cover off. I really recommend you put a thin piece of cloth or something over the rounded parts of the tool. It may leave a mark on the rim otherwise.

I just left my covers off for now. With all the recent stories on here, I would recommend that people remove these themselves prior to any tire services. I can tell you from the effort required to carefully remove them, that I wouldn't expect many shops to take the time required to carefully remove these without damage to the caps or the rims.

Much more discussion can be found in this older thread.
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...+cover+removal

[kami333]

I cracked 4 of them getting them off

I just left all of them off, I thought about buying new replacements but I think I'd rather just get aftermarket lug bolts and not deal with covers.

[marx404]

Thanks emg77 for the pics and explanation, I didn't know that tool was there, lol.

I borrowed a plastic motherboard removal tool from my Belkin computer repair kit. It looks like a giant plastic pair of tweezers with tiny bent metal clips on the ends. It cannot damage your rims, or your caps.

Likewise what my old Saturn Tech suggested was bend the edges of tiny needlenose pliers , a small flathead screwdriver or tweezers to hook into the groove and not scratch or damage the caps.

Delicate plastic lug caps have been around for decades now. It eludes me how a trained technician could not figure them out and not damage them.

[Astra La Vista!]

I never noticed that wire tool, but Opel Blitz said that it was actually intended for use to remove Astra hubcaps, not the lugbolt caps. Judging by your description of how you used the tool, it doesn't sound like it is really for the caps.

Just an FYI, but that VW/Audi tool that I mentioned in the other thread is made of 100% plastic and shouldn't scratch anything. There's a certain amount of tension in the bow of the tool so that when it is looped over opposite sides of the plastic caps, actually requires zero effort to keep the tool engaged with the groove (ie: you can actually let go of the tool and it will remain in place). If the caps are clean and the tool engaged correctly, all you need to do is hook your finger into the end of the tool and pull. I can remove all of the caps on one wheel in under five seconds.

part number: 8D0-012-244-A ... cost: about $3.00

[emg77]

Originally Posted by Astra La Vista!

I never noticed that wire tool, but Opel Blitz said that it was actually intended for use to remove Astra hubcaps, not the lugbolt caps. Judging by your description of how you used the tool, it doesn't sound like it is really for the caps.

Just an FYI, but that VW/Audi tool that I mentioned in the other thread is made of 100% plastic and shouldn't scratch anything. There's a certain amount of tension in the bow of the tool so that when it is looped over opposite sides of the plastic caps, actually requires zero effort to keep the tool engaged with the groove (ie: you can actually let go of the tool and it will remain in place). If the caps are clean and the tool engaged correctly, all you need to do is hook your finger into the end of the tool and pull. I can remove all of the caps on one wheel in under five seconds.

part number: 8D0-012-244-A ... cost: about $3.00

It sure seemed to fit perfectly, so it seemed like the proper purpose. I've meant to get that VW tool, but I've never actually made the trip over to the dealer to get one. I'm just going to leave the caps off for now. I kind of like the look better without the caps.

[OPEL Blitz]

The tool is for prying off wheel sides but if it works for the caps too then thats great.

[emg77]

Originally Posted by OPEL Blitz

The tool is for prying off wheel sides but if it works for the caps too then thats great.

It would be nice if they included the flat head screwdriver to do this with, but instead we got only a phillips screwdriver in our kit. I really wonder what it's for too, since almost everything on the car is torx.

[astraflip]

u could also use a very small allen and use the small end to fit in the grooves to pull...of course it wasnt until it was too late til i tried it out...already lost 2 plastic covers and saturn wants $8.22 for each one...not worth the price IMO...

[marx404]

Two words: Harbor Freight. I love that store for cheap tools. Bought my metric sockets and things there.

[VWCarcrazy]

Here is the tool I use. Most auto parts stores carry them.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002F6610
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...er-pliers/6837

I don't trust the screwdrive and "soft cloth" method. And I always remove my wheel caps or covers when I take my car in for any service that might require wheel removal. Caps and covers are too expensive to replace, and too easily damage by people who could care less.

[OPEL Blitz]

Originally Posted by emg77

It would be nice if they included the flat head screwdriver to do this with, but instead we got only a phillips screwdriver in our kit. I really wonder what it's for too, since almost everything on the car is torx.

Try pulling off the handle and stick it onto the philips end and you should have one flat head screwdriver
Unless you get a fixed screwdriver in your kit?

[emg77]

Originally Posted by OPEL Blitz

Try pulling off the handle and stick it onto the philips end and you should have one flat head screwdriver
Unless you get a fixed screwdriver in your kit?

I think it was a fixed screwdriver in our kit. I might have to dig it out and check though.