Ever since hard chrome plating was outlawed, most wheel nuts on alloys have little shiny plastic covers that you need to pull off to get a wheel brace on. That can be awkward if they are in deep holes on the wheel. I've struggled on one or two cars if they haven't been off for a while.
Just got a new (to me) C4 Pic and bought a spare wheel/jack and so on as I don't much like relying on aerosol sealant in remote places. But I don't have the little plastic tool to get to pull the nut covers off. Looked on the web and saw all sorts, plastic, wire and so on, and some forums had long threads about the difficulty of removing covers.
So I had a think.
Get or find a teaspoon, inexpensive stainless one, check that the handle fits between flat of nut cover and side of hole. Place teaspoon in a metal vice with about 2mm of handle sticking up. Whack hard with a hammer to bend it over so it has a little lip on the end. Ideally do another one so you have a pair so you can use one each side if the cover is really stubborn.
Perfect, and you can stir your cup a soup with it as well.
Wheel nut cover remover
Moderator: RichardW
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Wheel nut cover remover
Richard_C
Current: , C4 Picasso 120 BlueHdi, C3 1.2 Auto
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Current: , C4 Picasso 120 BlueHdi, C3 1.2 Auto
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Re: Wheel nut cover remover
You can get the correct little tool from the bay, look at item number 281298924901, this also helps bolt removal. £5.15 Inc p&p.
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Stu
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"Some cause happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go"Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
Major interventions
C5 Steering rack @ 58,000 mi
4 discs & Pads @ 63,585 mi
2 (AM6) oil exchanges @ 58,876 & 72,378 mi
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- (Donor 2016)
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C3 1.2 Puretech 110 Auto Flair 2017 - x 99
Re: Wheel nut cover remover
But not as much fun as whacking a teaspoon with a hammer
Richard_C
Current: , C4 Picasso 120 BlueHdi, C3 1.2 Auto
Past Citroens: Dyane (x2), 2CV, Visa, BX (x2), Xantia, Xsara Picasso, C3 (x2) C5 X7 Tourer, Synergie 1.9TD, C1
Others: Hillman Hunter, Cortina Mk 1, Maxi, VW Type 2, Granada, SAAB 900, SAAB 9-5, R5 Gordini
Current: , C4 Picasso 120 BlueHdi, C3 1.2 Auto
Past Citroens: Dyane (x2), 2CV, Visa, BX (x2), Xantia, Xsara Picasso, C3 (x2) C5 X7 Tourer, Synergie 1.9TD, C1
Others: Hillman Hunter, Cortina Mk 1, Maxi, VW Type 2, Granada, SAAB 900, SAAB 9-5, R5 Gordini
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Re: Wheel nut cover remover
Just so long as you are whacking the teaspoon with the hammer, and not the nail (on your thumb).
James
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Re: Wheel nut cover remover
Richard_C wrote:Ever since hard chrome plating was outlawed....
Really? I had no idea! Why is this? I assume there are exceptions, otherwise the motorcycle industry is a bit buggered as far as forks go...
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Re: Wheel nut cover remover
Hell Razor5543 wrote:Just so long as you are whacking the teaspoon with the hammer, and not the nail (on your thumb).
Shades of " . . . & when I nod my head- you hit it with a hammer"!
Seriously though, even my '96 had these covers (although they are "tin") so don't think it has anything to do with Euro chrome regs. They come off easy enough using a wall drive socket (they are so thin, the one for removing the buts is fine) & wiggling it bit.
Cadillac ones are, of course, one step better - they screw on to the nut, which has a short threaded section below the flats. Curiously THEY seem more prone to shedding than the interference fit press-on ones.
Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club
'05 C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS
& the numerous "abandoned projects"
'81 2CV Club
'05 C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS
& the numerous "abandoned projects"