Alternative to metal grease cap for front struts?

[Geneman]

Hi Peeps. anyone know easier to use/remove caps on the spindle ends for the front of 70s-80s 911? Plastic or rubber ? Mine are way hard to ooch off with a big set of pliers , and i am ending up changing rotors and hubs quite often for vintage vs other racing. PIA. thanks. Frank

[aston@ultrasw.c]

I drilled and welded an M8 nut to the cap, it's easy to run a bolt and push the cap off.

[Geneman]

fantastic idea aston. thank you!

[geoff_k]

Another idea is to use a metal table leg rubber.

[stownsen914]

Frank - I find it's a lot easier to remove those caps with a brass drift, tapping gently with a hammer. Place the drift vertically top tilted slightly toward the center of the car. Just enough angle to knock the caps outboard. Give it a knock, rotate the hub, another knock, etc.

[ian c2]

Use 930 caps ?
This pic is off an 85 set-up I own .

[aston@ultrasw.c]

Originally Posted by Geneman

fantastic idea aston. thank you!

not original, i borrowed it

also you can thread in a cap screw, put it in your drill press and clean up the OD with some emery cloth

[geoff_k]

I misread it. I thought we talking the end cap on a Front Control Arm.

[Alan L]

Do you have a press?
I just pressed mine off real easy a few days ago.
Alan

[Mahler9th]

"I find it's a lot easier to remove those caps with a brass drift, tapping gently with a hammer. Place the drift vertically top tilted slightly toward the center of the car. Just enough angle to knock the caps outboard. Give it a knock, rotate the hub, another knock, etc. "

+1

I don't use a brass drift, I use a cold chisel. I few taps with a small hammer.

I have been using this method for 25+ years with zero issues.

I also suggest having a spare cap or two for track/race cars. I have only lost one cap in the past few decades, but I have given several caps to friends that were otherwise SOL.

They are small and don't take up much room.

I used to buy my spares from Partsheaven... they are now closed. But there are likely a few dismantlers around that have caps.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Frank, I use a muffler clamp locked on the grease cap and the you can pry against the clamp. Here's a pic I found here, use a piece of wood between the prybar and the wheel hub.

[analogmike]

I've always just pried with a big screwdriver against the alum hub, there is usually a space between the cap and hub on my early 70's 911s.

[jlex]

The muffler clamp trick is the only thing that worked for me on my '88. You really need that extra metal to have something to pry against.

[sjanes]

I use these Vise-Grips to shimmy the cap off. Works really well.