Alum Wheel Center Cap Removal

Offshore24 · July 17, 2009

I have an '07 classic Silverado with 17" alum wheels. I went to remove the front wheels to grease the zerks in the front end and i didn't find a good way to remove the plastic center cap on the wheel. There's no groove in the wheel to fit a screw driver blade between the plastic center cap and the wheel and apply leverage. I did manage to mar the finish on the wheel (duh) and I'd like to avoid that when I go to rotate the tires. I called the dealership and talked to a service rep and he said they just pry it off. I can't see how they do it without scratching the clearcoat on the wheel.

MS3DALE · July 17, 2009

If you have the wheels I think you have you should have 6 Black lug nut covers in the center cap,Loosen the lug nut covers up and the center cap will come off.

Offshore24 · July 17, 2009

If you have the wheels I think you have you should have 6 Black lug nut covers in the center cap,Loosen the lug nut covers up and the center cap will come off.

Yes it has those cheesy black caps. So you kind of squeeze those and pull them out then yank on the center cap? I'm an engineer and for the life of me I don't know what some engineers are smoking when they come up with these designs. The wheel should have a shallow slot so you can get the center cap off without scratching the wheel or disemboweling the center cap. WTF

MS3DALE · July 17, 2009

No,You loosen the lug nut covers with your lug wrench,then the cap will fall off. (The lug nut covers screw onto the lug nuts themselves and in turn hold the center cap into place)

MS3DALE · July 17, 2009

I don't know what some engineers are smoking when they come up with these designs.

I actually think its a pretty good design,The cap won't just "fall off" because its held into place by the lug nut covers (At least I thought it was a good design on my '04)

MS3DALE · July 17, 2009

Oh,One other thing.....The center goes on a specific way,The back of the center cap has a valve stem picture molded into it,make sure you line that picture up with the valve stem on the wheel.

Nick The Great · July 17, 2009

I don't know what some engineers are smoking when they come up with these designs.

I actually think its a pretty good design,The cap won't just "fall off" because its held into place by the lug nut covers (At least I thought it was a good design on my '04)

Except that they're plastic

I think on my 99 at least 3 on every wheel were stripped out.

MS3DALE · July 17, 2009

I don't know what some engineers are smoking when they come up with these designs.

I actually think its a pretty good design,The cap won't just "fall off" because its held into place by the lug nut covers (At least I thought it was a good design on my '04)

Except that they're plastic

I think on my 99 at least 3 on every wheel were stripped out.

The lug nut covers and the backing of the center caps are plastic,The face of the center cap is aluminum with clear-coat.

Matt427 · July 17, 2009

Yes it has those cheesy black caps. So you kind of squeeze those and pull them out then yank on the center cap? I'm an engineer and for the life of me I don't know what some engineers are smoking when they come up with these designs. The wheel should have a shallow slot so you can get the center cap off without scratching the wheel or disemboweling the center cap. WTF

I apologize in advance because I know this is going to sound offensive, and I really don't want to offend you, but how can you, as an engineer, look at the center cap while it is mounted on the wheel and not see how the lugnut covers are captured in the cover, and that the cover could not possibly be pryed off. I know some covers do pry off, a lot of Fords use that design, but clearly the GM design isn't a pry-off one.

BTW, I'm pretty sure the owner's manual has instructions on removing the cap.

Nick The Great · July 17, 2009

Yes it has those cheesy black caps. So you kind of squeeze those and pull them out then yank on the center cap? I'm an engineer and for the life of me I don't know what some engineers are smoking when they come up with these designs. The wheel should have a shallow slot so you can get the center cap off without scratching the wheel or disemboweling the center cap. WTF

I apologize in advance because I know this is going to sound offensive, and I really don't want to offend you, but how can you, as an engineer, look at the center cap while it is mounted on the wheel and not see how the lugnut covers are captured in the cover, and that the cover could not possibly be pryed off. I know some covers do pry off, a lot of Fords use that design, but clearly the GM design isn't a pry-off one.

BTW, I'm pretty sure the owner's manual has instructions on removing the cap.

You're obviously no engineer . . .

hockeypro1411 · July 17, 2009

Yea, those plastic things that look like lug nuts look that way for a reason... Lol

Matt427 · July 18, 2009

You're obviously no engineer . . .

Oh, it isn't in there? I'm on vacation, and I don't have access to my O.M. right now, so I just assumed it might be in the section about changing a flat. Silly me for thinking so.

And yes, you are right, I'm not an engineer. I'm an engine and APU troubleshooting mechanic in the commercial aviation industry.

Offshore24 · July 18, 2009

I'm not offended. It's the internet. I'm up for a good discussion any time. Heck you're practically a rocket scientist compared to me (civil/environmental engr). I didn't know that the black covers screwed/twisted off. GM should tell you that in the OM. the dealer should be able to tell me that too (hahahaha). I'll try the lug wrench on the plastic caps and see if I can twist them off. I also don't remember there being a diagram on the back of the center cap showing proper alignment of the cap, but I'll check that too. thanks.

Offshore24 · July 18, 2009

Bingo! Thanks guys. The black caps screw off and the center cap falls off. DUH. There was no diagram in the back but there's none needed as the black caps fit over the lugnuts.

Nick The Great · July 18, 2009

You're obviously no engineer . . .

Oh, it isn't in there? I'm on vacation, and I don't have access to my O.M. right now, so I just assumed it might be in the section about changing a flat. Silly me for thinking so.

And yes, you are right, I'm not an engineer. I'm an engine and APU troubleshooting mechanic in the commercial aviation industry.

Hey hey, calm down. I was making a crack about reading the book.