Tires, Wheels, & Brakes Discussion about wheels, tires, and brakes for the new MINI.
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Center Cap Removal

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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 10:44 AM
  #1  
DB_NC_06MC's Avatar
DB_NC_06MC
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2nd Gear
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From: Raleigh, NC
Center Cap Removal

I found the lug torque in the manual.

I tried search and manual but didn't find the manner in which to remove the center caps from the 5-spoke wheels. Tried to (counterclockwise) remove one but it just shifted a bit, and experience with other cars has shown it's better to be safe and gentle than sorry. Do the caps unscrew or pop off ?

Found the little tool in the kit, didn't want to pull on the cap with tool in a hole because I didn't want to break it. I figure you use the tool to unscrew or unsnap but I don't want to break anything.

I found the DIY for front mud flaps and wanted to do it this afternoon.

Thanks!
 
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 10:47 AM
  #2  
dave's Avatar
dave
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From: California
There is a tool in the MINI toolkit to fish into one of the holes in the center cap and then pull the cap off. If you don't have that tool, a small (2mm?) allen key will work too (just fish in the short end into one of the holes and then pull on the long end of the key).

The centercaps pull off, they don't twist off.
 
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 12:52 PM
  #3  
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pooch1
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From: toronto area
If wheel is off car from inside use the handle end and give it a rap from inside ,it just pops out.
 
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 01:10 PM
  #4  
DB_NC_06MC's Avatar
DB_NC_06MC
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From: Raleigh, NC
Thanks!

I followed OctaneGuy's DIY at c3Club.org, done.

For some reason the right rear center cap (first one I tried with the tool) didn't want to come off as easily as the front ones that I needed to remove to do the mudflaps.

Also put XPEL 3M headlight, foglight and parking light protection on.

Nice sunny 60 degree days are great for catching up on DIYs and yardwork
given the crap weather we've been having here in NC.

Mini gets to rest for a few days and SC gets some exercise.
 
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Old Sep 19, 2007 | 06:44 PM
  #5  
snid's Avatar
snid
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From: Burlington, VT
So, my old Cooper with 5-spoke wheels had the holes in the center cap and the little "key" to pop the center cap off.

My new MCS has the crown spoke wheels (the new s-lites, basically). These have a slot where one would be tempted to insert a flat head screwdriver to pry the cap off. Is there another tool that would be less likely to scratch the wheel? Should there have been a little tool in the toolkit like there was with my old Cooper?

Does anyone make a small flathead screwdrive like thing except made of a firm rubber?
 

Last edited by snid; Sep 20, 2007 at 04:30 AM.
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Old Sep 19, 2007 | 07:07 PM
  #6  
aem421's Avatar
aem421
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You need this...




I put blue tape on the end. It's one of those hook tools. It came in the set. Works perfectly!
 
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