How To Remove Center Caps Without Removing Wheel
Removing center caps can be a bit of a pain. In part because that would require removing the entire wheel in some cases. Which is obviously not super convenient. Especially if you are in a hurry, luckily for you, it is actually possible to remove the center caps on your Porsche without removing the wheel.
And even more luckily for you, we know how. And even more luckily for you, we are going to share that knowledge with you right here and now on how to remove center caps without removing wheel.
This blog post will cover what center caps are, how to remove them without removing the wheel, and why you would want to do this in the first place. Let’s get right into it.
Highlights
- Center caps, also known as wheel center caps or hub caps, are covers that fit over the center of a car’s wheel to protect the axle and wheel hub from debris and provide an aesthetic touch.
- Porsche center caps are generally easy to remove and do not require a specialized removal tool.
- Removing center caps without removing the wheel involves locating a small notch on the edge of the center cap, inserting a flathead screwdriver or plastic prying tool into the notch, gently prying the cap outward, and continuing to pry around the circumference until it pops out.
- Some Porsche models may have center caps designed to be removed only after removing the wheel, which is more common in high-performance or track-focused cars.
What Are Center Caps?
Center caps, which might also be known as wheel center caps or hub caps, are small covers that fit over the center of a wheel on your car. It is important to clarify that center caps and hub caps are not the same things to ensure we are all on the same page here. A hub cap covers the entire wheel, whereas the center cap only covers a small portion of the center of the wheel.
They are almost always circular in shape, and their purpose is to cover the center of the hub (hub caps, anyone?), which in turn covers the axle. They are crucial in keeping the axle end safe and free from debris. Center caps primary function is, well, functional.
They protect the axle and wheel hub. But they also serve an aesthetic purpose. They can look cool! In reality, they help protect the wheel’s hub or axle from dust, dirt, and other debris that can accumulate while driving and potentially cause damage over time.
The idea is that by keeping out all of this dust, dirt, and other junk that gets picked up off the road, they are supposed to significantly prevent corrosion and prolong the wheels and axle’s lifespan.
Do I Need A Center Cap Removal Tool?
There are center cap removal tools that you can buy from places, but they aren’t usually necessary.
In fact, while some cars do indeed require a center cap removal tool, they are rare enough that places won’t stock them.
Luckily for you, that probably won’t be a concern, as most Porsche models do not require a center cap removal tool, and you can get by with a simple Allen Wrench. You will most likely find that 2.5mm works best.
Is It Difficult Or Time Consuming To Remove Center Caps?
The difficulty and time required to remove center caps will vary depending on the specific type of center caps and the vehicle in which they are installed on. However, Porsche center caps are generally quite easy to remove if you know how.
In general, center caps are designed to be easily removable for maintenance. But, there are a few factors that can affect the process. For example, removing the entire wheel to get the center cap off will naturally make the process a lot more time-consuming.
How To Remove Center Caps Without Removing Wheel?
It is possible to remove the center caps of your Porsche without removing the wheel if you follow these instructions. It’s best to take your time with this part.
You do not want to damage the center caps or break the part that they connect to, as it will make attaching the center caps again impossible.
To remove the center caps of your Porsche without removing the wheel, you should:
- First, find the small notch on the edge of the center cap. This is typically located on the outer edge of the cap facing towards the wheel and will be less than 1/8 inch in size.
- Then, use a flathead screwdriver or a plastic prying tool to carefully insert into the notch, taking care not to scratch the center cap.
- Apply gentle pressure while prying the cap outward. You don’t want to use too much force here; you might end up damaging the cap like I did once before.
- Continue to pry around the circumference of the center cap until it pops out of the wheel. You may need to make a few full rotations, prying each clasp a few times before it becomes fully loose.
- Once the center cap is released, you can use your fingers to completely remove it from the wheel. It is best to stop using a screwdriver as the force needed to actually pop it out can scratch the center caps.
However, in cases where the center cap is screwed into the wheel hub, you will want to take your Allen wrench, undo all of the holes, and then pull the cap off. It might require you to pry it off still even if you have undone all of the bolts.
Why Does It Sometimes Require You To Remove The Wheel Just To Remove The Center Caps?
In some Porsche models, the wheels’ center caps are designed to be removed only after the wheel has been taken off the vehicle. This design feature is often seen in Porsches meant for track racing or very high-end performance vehicles.
If that is the case, the reason you can’t take the center cap off without taking the wheel off is to ensure that it won’t come loose when it is placed under absurdly high levels of pressure. It is a safety feature at heart.
To a degree, you could also argue that the difficulty required to take the center caps off is also an anti-theft device. If anyone was going to steal a center cap, it would be one with the Porsche logo on, right?
Our Verdict On How To Remove Center Caps Without Removing Wheel
As you can see, it doesn’t always require you to take off the entire wheel just to remove the center caps. However, in some cases, you might.
Though it is quite uncommon and is most often found in higher-end performance cars, which are really meant for track racing rather than as your everyday driver. However, you probably won’t need to take your center caps off all that often anyway, but it’s good to know how to remove center caps without removing wheel.
