How to remove these center caps?? (Sparco)

Kraftwerk · 01:00 PM

Okay, so I have a 'car', temporarily that I am going to sell and keep the wheels.The previous owner gave me a tiny little piece of bent mental/tool he said you will need this for the center caps. He is difficult to reach these days, due to his new distraction GT4!! (--Porsche content!) So how the hell do i get the center caps off the tool seems more like a key.. and there is a tiny hole where it fits. Its the size of a tooth-pick and rather flimsy.
The wheels are sexy as-f. and not made anymore in this center - cap configuration: Sparco Rally wheels, I think they are called.. check em:

stomachmonkey · 12-19-2015, 02:01 PM

They are just held on with clips.

Put the tool in and gently pull.

Kraftwerk · 12-20-2015, 07:36 AM

yeah the tool bent when I tried that.. the tool is really tiny and thin metal ... will try again have you personal experience with these? Thanks..

Wilywilly · 12-20-2015, 08:15 AM

I had some centercaps on a set of after market wheels which had a real small ex head set screw in them to keep the caps on. Is the tool a tiny allen wrench. If so try it that way

Nostril Cheese · 12-20-2015, 09:45 AM

Set screw most likely.

Did these come off a Ford Focus?

Kraftwerk · 12-24-2015, 01:23 PM

Here is a picture of the 'tool' I was given to remove center - caps.. it bent when I used it as a mini-pry bar.. there is a small slot in the center where this tool fits.. but nothing inside the hole to 'unlatch'. It remains a mystery.. Wheels are on an MX-5.

masraum · 12-24-2015, 02:38 PM

I haven't had experience with that exactly, but 10:1, if you put it in the right way, I suspect it would push a spring bar of some sort. Can you get a better closer shot of the wheel/center cap?

Cory M · 12-24-2015, 03:19 PM

If tool doesn't work, take wheels off car and pop caps off with a piece of wood and a mallet. Put a towel on the ground or get a helper so the caps don't get scratched on floor when they come out.

masraum · 12-24-2015, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory M

If tool doesn't work, take wheels off car and pop caps off with a piece of wood and a mallet. Put a towel on the ground or get a helper so the caps don't get scratched on floor when they come out.

THat would be a great suggestion for regular center caps, but if you look at the picture, the center cap in question cover's the lug nuts. I suspect it's hard to get the wheel off without first removing the center caps.

Eric Coffey · 12-24-2015, 05:04 PM

I would think they are just held in with spring clips as well, and maybe just stubborn due to dirt build up.

Or (and it's probably a long shot), the center cap might have locking tabs and lock into place via rotation. You might try putting the tool in a see if you can get the cap to move CW or CCW to "unlock".

Cory M · 12-24-2015, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

THat would be a great suggestion for regular center caps, but if you look at the picture, the center cap in question cover's the lug nuts. I suspect it's hard to get the wheel off without first removing the center caps.

In that case, drive the car until the tires go flat, and leave it where it stops.

wildthing · 12-24-2015, 05:30 PM

If it doesn't move and it should, use WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape.

Kraftwerk · 12-25-2015, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory M

In that case, drive the car until the tires go flat, and leave it where it stops.

^ I am leaning towards this suggestion.... ^

But I will have a closer look at it after the holiday. Thanks guys.

tevake · 12-25-2015, 09:03 AM

I know that reading the instructions is a last resort. But why not contact Sparco for their input.

Cheers Richard

wildthing · 12-25-2015, 09:06 AM

So funny. If you Google 'sparco center cap removal', the first result is a YouTube video, and the second and third ones are your threads, one in the Miata forums and this thread. Hehe.

patz · 12-25-2015, 10:10 AM

Take the wheel off, stick the back end the mallet or two inch wooden dowel into the back end of the cap. Give it a whack with another mallet.

stomachmonkey · 12-25-2015, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patz

Take the wheel off, stick the back end the mallet or two inch wooden dowel into the back end of the cap. Give it a whack with another mallet.

How do you suggest he gets the wheel off?

patz · 12-25-2015, 11:06 AM

Ahhh, the pic didn't come thru on my monitor. Sorry.

Aerkuld · Aerkuld's Garage

No experience with those wheels, but I have exactly the same type of tool with my OZ wheels for the center caps. With those I just hook the tool behind the center cap and pull - the center cap is just held in with spring clips and it pulls straight off.

I hope that helps . . .

Aerkuld · Aerkuld's Garage

If the above doesn't work you'll have to use the sawzall