Plastic wheel cover removal

[MrMicroChip]

I need to remove a plastic wheel cover, so that I can realign it.  (I can't attach my air pump to the wheel valve.)  Can anyone please tell me how this is done?  Searching the web, it looks like it just "pulls" off using my hands, but I don't want to risk snapping the plastic if something more sophisticated is required!

[OldSteve]

Hi John, I assumed you were overseas as I understood all UK BZ4X came with alloys as standard without covers. Now I see you are in London. Have you got something different to normal? Sorry to be of no help, just curious.

[Bper]

Hi John,

Have a look at this video it will give you an idea if you have this type of cap and this should work. If you have to lever it off there are a few ways to do this but only lever it from the solid areas of the plastics as you will break it.

They also do a removal tool but a flat chisel with a cloth wrapped around the end can also work if you go round the hub at various points and slowly prize it off . Hope this helps

https://youtu.be/kUxz_SPi72U?si=FXRfnrG-GYYFexFk

 

[MrMicroChip]

@OldSteve It's just a normal, unmodified,  Motion FWD model.  The plastic wheel covers are reasonably convincing immatation alloys but, unfortunately, plastic nonetheless.

@Bper Thanks for the link.  I'd found various lever it off / pull 'em off examples out there, but nothing particularly new.  I'm really reluctant to apply force, if it means I might end up having to buy a replacement.  I'm sure it would cost the earth!

[philip42h]

1 hour ago, MrMicroChip said:

@OldSteve It's just a normal, unmodified,  Motion FWD model.  The plastic wheel covers are reasonably convincing immatation alloys but, unfortunately, plastic nonetheless.

Which seems rather odd since the specs on the Toyota website state that they are alloy:

Definitely alloy but maybe quite good imitation plastic? 😉

A picture of your wheel would be interesting ...

Edit: though looking more closely at the picture, I can't see any wheel bolts! So ...

 

[Hybrid21]

Certainly I would be careful removing the plastic wheel cover in these low temperatures as it would be more susceptible to breaking. Easy does it John  👍

[Bper]

John, You maybe a bit reluctant in case you break one but in fairness you may have to do this at some time. If you take your time and go round the hub solid parts and gently lever it will come off. Most of the time once you free it a little you can grab the bottom and top or both sides and it will pull off. 

If you really don't want to do this go to a tyre centre and I am sure they will pop it off for you as they do this all the time.

[philip42h]

3 hours ago, MrMicroChip said:

I'd found various lever it off / pull 'em off examples out there, but nothing particularly new.

I quite liked the "just pull them off approach" ...

But as a different idea, would "air wedges" work? The link is just an example ... I've not tried this approach, have no idea whether there is a suitable space to insert them, nor whether they would exert sufficient force - but it's an idea! 😉

[MrMicroChip]

@philip42h Thanks for the "Air Wedge" idea.  I've also attached a couple of photos.

[MrMicroChip]

[Solved]

I popped into my local Toyota Dealership, and a technician showed me how to remove the Plastic Wheel Cover / Cap.  You take a firm grip with both hands and pull!

He said that thay can be pretty tight, but nothing further is required.

[Bilthehut]

It’s better that they be tight, or they would be coming off while driving . . . And cost a ton to replace I assume. My Motion AWD has the covers and the wheels themselves are alloys, just not shiny. 

[wivenhoe]

They probably made these tight after the initial problem with wheels falling off !