I'm in the process of purchasing a set of OEM Red Growler center wheel caps ( from Jaguar ) to replace the OEM black Growler caps that came with my 2010 XK Coupe. I don't want to have to remove the wheels to pop out the original center caps and I feel that prying off the caps from the outside will damage the paint/finish on my wheels. Is there an other way to get them off without removing the wheels or having to punch a hole in them and pulling them off? I really hate to trash them just because I'm replacing them. Thanks all.

 

Valve grinding suction stick.





Graham

 

I did exactly the same and used a rubber sucker to remove the centres without taking the wheels off.

 

Yes, That suction stick and any rubber sucker or Suction Cup Lifter (sold at harbor freight) might do the trick. I had some rubber suckers I never used in my shower but won't work. .I'm not sure if the nooks and crannies of the growler face might be a problem to get a flat enough surface to get the correct suction. Maybe I'll stop by a local body shop or repair shop and see if they have something. Thanks all.

 

Could try something adhesive, like those 3M Command strips used to hold pictures and hooks and stuff to walls. Not supposed to mar surfaces.
Stick the wall side of a strip on the center cap, and then use the tab to pull outward. Might get the cap moving. If not fully removed, could use a plastic pry tool to carefully work it out. Afterwards, remove the strip from the face of the cap by pulling on the tab, parallel to the face of the cap (the stuff stretches to release). Just a thought.

 

Duct tape and a sharp yank.

 

Not sure about the 3M and more so the duct tape as that will most likely leave that sticky mess that won't come off easily. Anything to remove it affects the plastic. Sounds like a good idea otherwise.

 

This topic was covered years ago on either this forum or another one.
As a result I tried some stick-on tape strips (for hanging pictures etc), some duct tape and one or two other things which I cannot remember, and nothing worked, not even close to budging any cap even a micron, the OEM caps stick nice and tight as they are supposed to. So when I want to try some new caps I simply bite the bullet, remove the wheels and push the caps out from the back.

 

Recently changed mine. I just used a plastic trim removsal tool

 

Can you describe or show a photo of the plastic trim removal tool? Something to get from an upholstery shop? In theory, if something thin and non abrasive could get under the lip (even partially), the rest should be able to be lifted and removed.

 

I'll Bogart this post if'n ya don't mind:
https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-a...eVehicle=false

 

Lots of choices out there. Just google ‘trim removal tool’. You’ll find sets like this for under 5 bucks (bought one like this years ago, used it many many times):

 

A set of plastic trim removal tools should be in every DIY car owner's toolbox. They make it easy to remove the plastic push-in plastic fasteners that secure the plastic appearance covers in the engine compartment, the carpeted trim in the trunk, and dashboard trim.

Search Amazon. There are lots of choices.

There might not be enough space for a trim removal tool to fit and remove a center cap.

 

I've tried putting a very sharp thin steak knife uder the edge (only to check the amount of clearance) and let me tell you....Those suckers are in SUPER TIGHT! No clearance whatsoever. Any aggressive prying will most certainly mar the paint which is stupid.I may just punch a hole in the caps and remove them if all else fails. No point in destroying or damaging an expensive painted wheel.

 

If the centres are that tight then it might be best to take the wheels off and punch them out from behind.
10 min a wheel.👍👍

 

I'm not a candidate to remove my own wheels. I would have to take it to BJs who just installed my new set of Michelin 3s....I did notice (after the new tire install) a small nick here and there near the lug nuts on the wheel and don't need to take any chances just to install a cosmetic cap. I'd prefer to remove from outside. The last time I removed the wheels (before the new tire install) was during my ceramic pad install almost 10 years ago.My car has 14,000 miles.

 

Never too late to learn mate! Find the jack points (google it or consult your manual), use a low trolley jack with a rubber jack pad (like this: https://www.amazon.com.au/Qmiracle-U...dp/B07V32536W/), and off you go. One corner at a time, take your time, you'll be done in an hour or so. Removing the caps from the outside seems like *way* more effort than it's worth, and much more likely that you'll slip and do some damage.

If you're adamant on removing them from the outside, the plastic trim tools posted above are probably the go. I'd still put a piece of cloth over the end as the sharper parts of those may scratch if you slip.

 

Using a Wheel/Tire rotation and balance as a pretext, which should be free depending on where you last purchased your tires, just say 'While you're at it, I need a few seconds before the reinstall"...

 

About using a trim removal tool:
As I mentioned back in post #8 I tried everything I could think of a few years ago but nothing worked.
And that included all of the various trim removal tools I have, of both the plastic and metal variety. They simply did absolutely nothing other than risk scratching or otherwise damaging either the centre cap or the rim or both.
Maybe that's down to the style of wheels I have on the F-Type (Blade) where the caps are quite recessed into the spokes but I doubt it.
Out of curiosity I tried again last night but still no go.

 

UDATE: Used black duct tape that I had around for awhile. It was quite sticky. The cap came off during the 2nd try! Done deal. Thanks everyone. Now it's time to get the Red Prowlers.