Myrtle 944

I know this is going to sound pathetic, but I can't for all things holy get the center grease caps of so I can adjust my front wheel bearings! I pryed, poked, hammered and even tried a pipe wrench to at least lossen them. I've got all new rotors, pads ready to go and can't do anything because of a metal cap <img border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" title="" src="graemlins/cussing.gif" /> .

I feel like am idiot because I just completed an entire front end restoration on my MG and I can't get this cap off... sad. Please, any tip would be appreciated.

Matt

Michael Weinstein

I just took mine off yesterday, and they were stubborn too! My hubs and spindles are off of the car, so maybe I had an advantage since I could get behind them. I really had to pound away at them, but one you get it even slightly started it is really easy.

I used a small pry bar with a very sharp edge and hit the snot out of it. If you can angle your tool so that the force is going from the back of the cap toward the front, it will come off. Keep going around the edges as you go so it doesn't slip back on. When it doubt, hit it harder! <img border="0" alt="[byebye]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" />

Myrtle 944

Thanks Michael. I lost light so I'm fixing the bloody wounds on my knuckles now. I can't imagine beating them any harder. I even tried a ball joint remover ! How sad is that. I'm eyeballing a dent puller now and getting crazy ideas. So close to front end perfection only to stopped by a silly thing.... It was 73 deg today so I flipped out and took the day off work to play with my new P-Car. Not very productive.

MHT

I have never had a cap I could not remove, use a drift, punch angled as far inboard as poss. work around the cap, keep turning the rotor and hitting the punch. It may take a while but it should come off. Good luck Mark T.

newoldguy

I had trouble too but I agree with Michael and MHT--just keep at it. I really had to hit mine pretty hard to get them to move and you start to think you're screwing something up because it doesn't seem like they should be that tight---but mine sure were. Anyway, they are just frictioned in just as you think they would be. So, whack away and try a bigger hammer if you need to.

nwehtje944

the answer to all your problems, "try a bigger hammer"

OT. Myrtle 944,
what year and model MG do you have?

nwehtje944

the answer to all your problems, "try a bigger hammer" <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />

<img border="0" alt="[offtopic]" title="" src="graemlins/offtopic.gif" /> . Myrtle 944,
what year and model MG do you have?

Myrtle 944

nwehtje944

1979 B. My 3rd after my Triumph years. Found one that had NO rust! Can you imagine? Found my 944 at a bad time as I'm on my last leg of restoration. Needless to say, the MG has found it's way to the far side of the garage and all the "available" funds are chanelled to the Porsche. I'll NEVER bitch about the cost of MG parts again. LOL. I could do a complete engine rebuild for the cost of a 944 clutch - but I AM HOOKED. I love my 944. Just got back in from a ocean drive ride and my cheecks are still sore from smiling.

I'll try beating soom more one the cap, but I've already gouged the crap out of the hub and it makes me sick to think I have to damage my car like that to get a damn grease cap off. Hate having to pay a wrench to do such a simple job too. Do you use a drift against the lug stud as well. I mean there is no place to get much leveage?? Thanks all the same

champ

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by MS944:
<strong>I know this is going to sound pathetic, but I can't for all things holy get the center grease caps of so I can adjust my front wheel bearings! I pryed, poked, hammered and even tried a pipe wrench to at least lossen them. I've got all new rotors, pads ready to go and can't do anything because of a metal cap <img border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" title="" src="graemlins/cussing.gif" />
Matt</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Hi,
Two ways:

1) Buy a 2" or so muffler clamp. clamp it on the dust cap and use a large screwdriver or pry bar to lever the cap off.

2) Rent/Use a slidehammer (4LBS) with a bearing puller attachment - comes off easy.

Danno

Rotate the hub to place the cut-out notch for the allen-key at the top. Aim a screwdriver sideways with the blade vertical into the gap between the dust-cap flange and the body of the hub. The cut-out notch allows you to get in there. Then smack with a hammer! This should open up the gap to you can work your way around from there.

Hans

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Danno:
<strong>Rotate the hub to place the cut-out notch for the allen-key at the top. Aim a screwdriver sideways with the blade vertical into the gap between the dust-cap flange and the body of the hub. The cut-out notch allows you to get in there. Then smack with a hammer! This should open up the gap to you can work your way around from there.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">That is a good one Danno, thanks.
Once the cap has moved, try using the round "shaft" part of an Philips size 2 screw driver. Just lay it between the rim in the cap and the edge of the hub, and gently tap it with an hammer. The cap will or should) then move. The last bit is for an pipe wrench.
Bigger hammers normally make bigger dents.
TakeCare

Myrtle 944

Thanks for all your great advice. Arming myself as we speak to do battle!

Myrtle 944

Just to end this...FYI... an air chisel popped these off in under 15 sec!

MHT

i didn't know you has access to air tools, that's cheating.

newoldguy

I think that would definitely qualify as a "bigger hammer".