Three of the four rim protectors on my 2002 are damaged and I wanted to remove them. Unfortunately, they do not respond to my current techniques !!! I had thought that the rim protectors fit on the tire where it joins the wheel rim, but not so. There is metal under the rim protector (it shows up in a sort of white color when I was trying to pull off the protectors). First I thought it was some of the 3M tape on the back of the rim protector, but not necessarily so !! It is definitely metal.. Has anyone found a successful technique to remove the protectors ?? Or suggest a contact for helpful information.
Thanks,

Ken in WV....... By golly.
BTW, I've unfortunately not been very active for a while having suffered from a broken ankle and Sciatica... Both are thankfully in remission...

 

If you are talking about the stainless trim ring, it is normally held on by silicone adhesive. I suggest using a heat gun to heat the trim ring and running a wire under it to cut it off. The trim ring is glued to the outer edge of the wheel drum that holds the tire. make a heat sink to protect the wheel center from the heat or it may damage the paint.

 

Kenatofc

Sorry about your Ankle and whatever that other stuff is...Hope things are turning around for you! By Golly!
Ken, I don't know which Wheel you are having problems with but if they are BBS Wheels such as "Detroit's" or "Montreal's", you don't want to just remove the Stainless Steel Ring and throw it away....as if they are not to bad, you can actually fix them on the Car....If the damage is "Curb Rash" you can file them down to smooth and polish them back to almost new....Should be information on how to do this somewhere on the Forum.....Also, you can by new Rings for about $100.00 Bucks a piece on the internet.....My Wifey took "Sweet Sugar" to the Car Wash and managed to Curb the Right side Sunday.....Now you know what I will be doing this Week-end...

Billy Clyde in Houston "Howdy Folks"!

 

These two views did not get uploaded on my initial post. I have heated the rim protector and still cannot get it off. Do I have to take off the 18 special bolts to do this ?? The white colored portion is metal and, I believe, part of the wheel rim.

 

Yes the wheel centre needs to be removed in order to remove and replace the trim.