Is there a way to take off the the center hub caps on the wheels of the X type without removing the entire wheel. I bought some new ones as the old ones are ragey. I tried to pry them off with a screw driver but stopped as I did not want to scratch the wheels. I tried using panel pullers and couldn't get underneath the cap. My last thought is to take a screw driver and hammer and give them a good pop in the middle of the cap and break them off. Oddly the Benz I had previously you could pop them off with a small screwdriver.
And the design of both are the same. Thanks as usually.

 

Adam, I popped mine off without pulling the wheels off. You need to get your hands on what are called "jeweler's screwdrivers". They are very small and will be able to slide between the cap and the wheel. From there, you can get them popped up a little bit and get them off in no time. I removed my caps and installed the XJ8 caps. Looks a lot better.

 

Hi,

Do you have photos of the new caps?

 

2" wide plastic putty knife does the trick too.

 

Nardoswiss, here is what the wheels look like now.



The neat thing about these is that the face of the leaper is a raised face. So, you have a 3D effect with the center caps vice the 2D look of the stock X-Type caps.

 

They do come off without the wheel off...or if you're going to scrap them anyway, just drive a screw in the middle and then pull out :-)

 

I guess its possible that someone has glued / siliconed the caps in place...?

Yes, (normally) they do just snap into place.... but are then subject to theft, as they (normally) prise-out quite easily. (or may fall out - depending quality)

If you have no use for the existing caps.... you can make a hole in the centre then put multi-grips/pliers to help you extract them.

Of course, the surest way to remove them (undamaged) is with the Wheel Off, then its just a matter of pushing or tapping them out - from the inside of the wheel hub.

 

Thermo thx! They look nice! Like a true old Jag!

Maybe you should consider to put another steam valve caps.

Like these ones for example



They should look even better together.

 

KICK *** CAPS!!

 

Nardoswiss, if I do anything with the valve stems, I am going to go with stemless valve stems. I had them on my truck (4x4'ers use them all the time). They work great as long as you keep the caps on the holes and you clean them out periodically. If you don't, they can be a royal PITA. TRUST ME!!!!!!!!

 

Thermo where did you find those 3d caps?

 

SBJAG, I found them on e-bay for around $50 for the set of 4. You can get them in an assortment of background colors. Look around. You will find something that are very expensive and some that are reasonably priced.

 

I've tried several of the suggestion you all made and I still can't get them off. Mine are flat to the wheel, very difficult to get something even a jeweler screwdriver under them, without scratching the wheel. I bought a new set as the stock ones look terrible. So perhaps driving a screwdriver thru them would be easiest. This is going to half to wait, until I heal more from this heart attack I had two weeks ago, and finish therapy of some kind. Thanks for all the suggestions

 

Thanks Thermo. My B-day is coming up and I usually don't have anything to ask for i.e. I have all I want but now there are so many toys and pieces to buy for my Jag. I like the 3d caps and the mesh grill...among other things.

 

SBJAG, if I ever make it back out to the FLIR site there in Santa Barbara, I will have to look you up. I am going to see if my company will send be back out there. He he he he.

P.S. Is that the airport in the background?

 

FLIR site? Foward Looking Infrared? Not the Airport....top level of Paseo Nuevo..was doing some shopping and snapped a coupl'a pics. Leme know if you drop into the area...I'll introduce you to Bob @ East and West....he's the Jag/Landrover brain.

 

SBJAG, yes, I was at the Flir site and got the inside scoop on the new FLiR systems that they are putting into the BMWs and am contemplating using one of their other cameras and using that on my car. Granted, the cost of the camera alone is somewhat staggering (about $4000, if not more).

So, if I make it back that way, I will let you know.

 

Hi Adam!

Nice to see you back around here; sorry to hear you are dealing with the aftermath of a 'thumper'. Please know we all hope your quick recovery from that, and success with your other health concerns.

After re-reading your question and the suggestions, I walked into our kitchen and may have found the answer! We have lots of those small suction-cups holding things to the fridge, windows, etc.

Maybe try greasing up a small suction-cup, pressing it againt the cap, and then giving it a quick tug with a pair of pliars.

If someone didn't super-glue the caps in, they just might pop right out for you!

Best of luck!