how to remove front hub dust cap?

[krasuskyp]

In my neverending pursuit of achieving the pillar of infinite awesomeness, I'm sadly again struggling w/ removing the front hub dust cap.

I'd done this years and years ago w/ a puller, a bolt, and a shiit ton of washers.

Heck, I even FOUND the bolt / washer getup I'd put together from back then - must have been feeling smart that day and kept it that way when I'd finished.

Problem is, I'm sitting there w/ the bolt threaded into the center of the cap, looking at my 3prong puller, and wondering exactly how TF do I contrapt this finagled thing so that it threads the center bolt into the bolt I've threaded into the cap - and then have it pull as it's pushing!?!?? Ouch. Painful even to type.

It started making my head hurt looking at it, so I went inside and here I am

Anyone care to help placate mah ignoramus?

Thanks in advance, as always...

[Ronnie's.930]

Here's one way to use a three prong puller on it -

'79 930 - Brake refresh in progress

[JFairman]

I use a harbor freight slide hammer with an allen head bolt in the end thing that threads into the dust cap. Could be used as a weapon.

[krasuskyp]

thanks Ronnie - yeah... that's on a '79 mit the protruding caps... '87s have the recessed ones. Awesome.

Great idea on the slide hammer Jim, I'll ask around if any my idjut buds have one local - if not, HF here I come.

The puzzler tho is... I've done this years ago w/ this contraption. But how? D'oh. Brain cells - POOF!

[JFairman]

It wasn't my idea, the factory tool for removing them is a slide hammer. It's in the PDF copies of the factory manuals I downloaded from a website we're not supposed to post links to here.

Just go slow with the slide hammer so you don't yank the threaded boss of the dust cap. You can have it tig welded back on if it breaks off... been there.

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by krasuskyp

thanks Ronnie - yeah... that's on a '79 mit the protruding caps... '87s have the recessed ones. Awesome.

Woops, I didn't notice that.

[krasuskyp]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

Woops, I didn't notice that.

Too much Texas. I forgive you.

[krasuskyp]

Originally Posted by JFairman

It wasn't my idea, the factory tool for removing them is a slide hammer. It's in the PDF copies of the factory manuals I downloaded from a website we're not supposed to post links to here.

Just go slow with the slide hammer so you don't yank the threaded boss of the dust cap. You can have it tig welded back on if it breaks off... been there.

crykies... that'd be JUST my luck... what with my fecal touch and all! Noooooo thannnnnks.

What a stoopidass design. WTF was wrong with the regular protruding early version??? STUTTGART!!! *raises fist and exclamates in vengeful anger*

My bud's got the 5" thick paper manual... keep meaning to photocopy it 8-)

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by krasuskyp

Too much Texas. I forgive you.

What was that I was saying about yer mama?

[infraredcalvin]

1) screw all thread in dust cap
2) place hole in bar/plate over all thread so that it's sticking through
3) align plate or bar to sit on top of 2 or more studs across from each other
4) place washers and nut to hold bar/plate against studs
5) turn nut until cap pops off
6) don't piss off others with your misplaced sense of humor... (Denotes sarcasm )

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by infraredcalvin

6) don't piss off others with your misplaced sense of humor...

Ha ha ha!!! Tooooooooooo funny! No way Paul can handle step 6!

[MikeD930]

Originally Posted by infraredcalvin

1) screw all thread in dust cap
2) place hole in bar/plate over all thread so that it's sticking through
3) align plate or bar to sit on top of 2 or more studs across from each other
4) place washers and nut to hold bar/plate against studs
5) turn nut until cap pops off
6) don't piss off others with your misplaced sense of humor...

^^this...referring to steps 1-5 of course.

Or just get creative and use another method similar to above. It's best to slowly pull the cap off (using threaded bolt action as above) instead of hammering the cap off with slide hammer.

[S1000RR]

^ +1

[Miguel Antonett]

I use a 2" muffler clamp, clamp it around the cap and pry it off - about 45* at a time - with a flat head screwdriver, never fails... this works on the 930 (78) and other 911's I've had.

[krasuskyp]

thanks guys

so, a threaded rod through a bar which straddles 2 studs, with a nut/washer on the end to pull the rod thru the bar as you torque it against it - think I've got it, should have been obvious, I'm only 1/4 Polish ya know

thing is, I KNOW I used my puller (entiiiiirely different than Ronnie's favored "puller" a/k/a The Stranger) last time I'd done this... that's the part which was making my head hurt trying to envision the rigging required

Miguel... you've got an early car w/ the exposed caps brutha...

#6 = unpossable... GennyCreams preside!

[JFairman]

Then tap it back in with a brass hammer. Harbor Freight has those best price too and their hammers are pretty good.

[Dave 86 930 Fl]

I'm sure my method will make most cringe, but I grab the nipple with a pair of pliers and smack the pliers from behind with a hammer. Because I track my car, repacking the bearings is a regular maintenance activity, so quick and dirty works for me.

[JFairman]

FWIW, I here's a pic of my inexpensive 3lb Harbor Freight slide hammer with the 10mm allen head bolt for the late eightees 930 front hub dust cap in the holder on the end.
A pic of the label on the box it came in too.

I bought this around 6 years ago so the part number may be different now but it's a 3 pound slide hammer that comes with a flat hook and other attachments for the end so it's a useful tool to have.
It works good, just spray a little WD40 or penetrating oil on the cap first and take it easy.. you'll see the cap start to draw out of the hub.
Don't blast on it too hard or the boss could break off the dust cap and you'll have to find someone to tig weld it back on the dust cap while it's still on the car.

The puller tool someone posted would work well too.

[JFairman]

Here's a 2 pound brass hammer thats good for tapping the dust cover back into the hub without denting it.
Search results for: 'brass hammer'
I recently got it from Harbor Freight tools. Very good hammer to have.
It's on sale right now and with one of their 25% off coupons it was only $18.

[S1000RR]

Originally Posted by JFairman

Here's a 2 pound brass hammer thats good for tapping the dust cover back into the hub without denting it.
Search results for: 'brass hammer'
I recently got it from Harbor Freight tools. Very good hammer to have.
It's on sale right now and with one of their 25% off coupons it was only $18.

Every garage needs a soft metal hammer, brass or copper. One tap removes stubborn brake disks.