blown 87

He wont get mine off with out destroying them like that, and they have been off before.

We have been down this road before.

Mark thinks you are going to damage the bearings by using a slide hammer, just like the factory says to do.

mark kibort

Yes, all dust caps can be removed this way. Ive done it on the 8 hubs Ive been associated with . its a snap. no other need for tools, and doesnt require a need for an axial spike loading slide hammer. (which is probably not as bad I may have implied it to be, but the channel locks are much easier)
Try it. Its very easy. No dust cover is a match for the channel locks.

mk

mark kibort

You must not have kung fu grip.

Yours will be no match for the channel locks if performed correctly.
The technique is, rocker up and down with a firm grip of the hub dust cover. Large, normal sized channel locks.
Try it.

mk

blown 87

Mark I do this for a living, and have done thousands of dust caps just like you do, but I am telling you, you would not get the ones off of my car like that.

I tried, as did two other full time pro wrenches.

We put dents in them from not having a Kung Fu death grip.
They are really, really on there.
We started with the normal size water pump pliers and ended up with some really big ones.
We even tried the pliers from Snap-On that are made for doing just that, ****'s are on there.

You may be able to get mine off like that, but the three of us sure as heck could not with out destroying them.

mark kibort

I would certainly be up for the challenge. I know the channel locks I use work, but maybe the ones you use are too narrow, or short. Or, could just be one of those things. do you make sure when you get the wrench in clamping position that the grip levers are close together, using both hands to lever up and down?
If so, could be welded on for some reason. I would say, based on the ones Ive seen, that is very very rare.
The holbert's were on pretty tight initially, but came off this way with a few lever actions. no match! I would imagine a slide hammer would have to apply some pretty high axial loads if it did the job and the rockering of the channel locks didnt. having studying bearings, the races can be damaged with loads on bearings not designed for such loads. Its probably ok, but I wouldnt want to take the chance.


mk

Jean-Louis

I use a piece of hard wood and tap it around. Worked every time with no damages to the cap.

AO

Remember... Mark was an American Gladiator!

mark kibort

Funny!

Hey, what did the plyers look like that you used?

A (water pump plyers ) or B (channel locks) ?

blown 87

That has to be it, me, I am just a hillbilly with some hand tools.

blown 87

Nomenclature, The ones I use are Channel locks or Snap-On's Water pump pliers.

Same difference.

Cosmo Kramer

Mine took a muffler clamp and a crowbar to get them off pulling them back and forth.

StratfordShark

Gentler and completely effective way:

I use a short extension from 3/8 socket set, which fits perfectly in the groove.

Work your way round tapping outwards with mallet at same 3 equally space points around the cap. It will start to slide out very soon.

mirousse

Well, if I can't achieve the removal with all your suggestions nothing else will!

The car has never been exposed to winter and the hub is pretty clean and intact. I suspect it will go out easily. I wanted to use the right tool that will not damage the parts. I'll give it a try tonight...

Thanks.

Michel

mark kibort

Use the channel locks, you wont be disappointed. Both hands squeezing the wrench, rocker up and down.

mk

mirousse

I just tried with an 8 inches long piece of broomstick and a hammer. The hub came out with a few knocks on both sides!

Thank you all!

Michel.