Tool to remove wheel bearing dust caps

[noid]

Alright folks, we have ourselves a bit of a situation; I'm about to change wheel bearings and the dust caps been backordered from the only source (dealer) for over a year, so we have to get them off without damaging!



Before I go out and buy this tool that looks like its been around since at least the 1950's, is there a better tool out there?



Really looking to better the chances over using a screw driver and hammer as its a very thin dust cap.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I have yet to find a better way/tool.

 

[3baygarage]

The Snap-On that style worked well for me. I was surprised how well it grabbed the edge. Easier than hammer and screwdriver.

 

[esben57]

Would a trim tool such as this do? More edge than a screwdriver, should get it moving.



My 70's/80's Stanley comes in handy

 

[Raineman]

Snap on GCP10. The ONLY way to go.

 

[Qualitytools]

Thanks, I just found one on EBay.

 

[Steve_P]

I think the tong style works the best; it's a fairly crude tool but works well. Vim also sells one. The one I have has dipped handles, but otherwise looks like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Vim-Tools-V216-Dust-Plier/dp/B000X2533Y?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mjdarg]

I slowly went around with a chisel on my 2003 BMW 330i and bent the lip just a bit to relieve tension and then I was able to hammer it off completely. BMW TIS recommends using RTV when replacing and I had no issue reusing the caps in this manner.

 

[mitusa]

I always use two hammers.....a claw hammer with the claw between the lip of the dust cover and hub....put a little outward pressure on it and hit the hammer head of the claw hammer with another hammer.
It always works for me and doesn't screw up the dust cover.
hths

 

[RTM]

I slowly went around with a chisel on my 2003 BMW 330i and bent the lip just a bit to relieve tension

Great use for a thrashed / loan to the neighbors chisel. A slight twist of the bit can help leverage it out too.

 

[bonneyman]

Nothing I've tried would get grease caps off without damage. Then you "tap" them back on with a hammer and they get dented! Yuk!

I've always wanted to get one of these older Bonney pliers. They're called battery terminal pliers but I think they're more towards grease cap removal. Maybe someone else makes the style, or someone could weld some half-moon flanges onto a pair of long handled pliers.

Vintage RARE BONNEY BATTERY TERMINAL AND GREASE CUP PLIERS | eBay

These are very old. They are marked but hard to read. They have a pat date but I can't make out the year just feb 24.

www.ebay.com

 

[Zeus36]

https://www.amazon.com/Laser-6503-Axle-Grease-Removal/dp/B0183SZAQY?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Blueshound_GJ]

I used to always use 12" Channellocks as first line of attack. Often it was enough. Then, borrow those excellent Snappie tongs if that didn't work.

 

[redmondjp]

Before recently obtaining the pliers shown at the top of this thread, I would use a cold chisel, at the proper angle, which usually will get the cap moving a bit so larger devices can get behind the lip in order to apply more force to the cap. Very minimal damage if you are careful.

 

[Steve_P]

Before I bought the Vim pliers, I got the best results from a freshly sharpened ~.06" thick scraper and hitting it with a hammer. This worked better for me than a chisel as far as getting things started- I tried a chisel also. But the OP wants the proper tool, so....

 

[CB350F]

A large deep socket works great for seating the cap if you have one...take care...

CB

edited to add: You guys are terrible...I just ordered a vintage pair of Snap-On pliers off the Bay...LOL

 

[Banjorear]

MAC Tools made the best one back in the '80's. I forget the part number. My buddy has the same tool and I will ask him for the part number and report back. The MAC is better than the Snap On one recommended above. I have that SO tool as well.

 

[Plombob]

If you can find the old Proto 6563, get it. I have one and it pops the caps off easily. Here's a video.

 

[jsaw]

Depending on the style, I use a pair of 16" channel locks , being very careful to not squeeze to hard . I grip the cap and rock it back and forth, then rotate 90 degrees and rock it again. It usually comes off.

 

[richfinn]

Punch a hole in centre use self tapping screw and slide hammer (weld hole after removal)

 

[Steve_P]

If you can find the old Proto 6563, get it. I have one and it pops the caps off easily. Here's a video.

Ok, so this is where the design for the Vim plier comes from

 

[Steve_P]

Punch a hole in centre use self tapping screw and slide hammer (weld hole after removal)

And if you don't have a welder? C'mon, this is a simple task that doesn't require a welder if you have the proper tools.

 

[whateg01]

I've always used a small chisel. Tap it under the lip, working your way around the cap. Then once it's up a little do the same but twist to lever it out more. I have often just tapped the cap back on and yeah it dents it, but on a trailer or an old work truck, who cares. On the one vehicle I needed them to stay looking decent, I turned a tool on the lathe to fit over it and only push on the lip.

 

[Plombob]

edited to add: You guys are terrible...I just ordered a vintage pair of Snap-On pliers off the Bay...LOL

Welcome To Garage Journal! LOL!

 

[richfinn]

And if you don't have a welder? C'mon, this is a simple task that doesn't require a welder if you have the proper tools.

Self tapping screw in the hole you just drilled or fit new dust caps

 

[WildBill]

I had no idea there were tools for this, I have always used an ancient gasket scraper to remove and a rubber mallet to gently replace.

 

[whateg01]

... the dust caps been backordered from the only source (dealer) for over a year, so we have to get them off without damaging!

... or fit new dust caps

?

 

[richfinn]

?

That's why I suggested welding up the hole, slide hammer always worked best for us, and not all of these dust caps have a swaged ring to grab hold of like those tongs are designed for, that design goes back decades.

Modern ones are designed to be replaced every time they come off.

 

[mike93lx]

Then you "tap" them back on with a hammer and they get dented! Yuk!

For my trailers, I have a piece of electrical conduit that sits on the lip perfectly. Drives them in nice and straight

 

[American Locomotive]

Those tools work great. I usually just use a thin screwdriver or a chisel and carefully work my way around.

Also, there isn't anything particularly special about dust caps. You could measure the ID of the situation and find a replacement cap somewhere.

 

[whateg01]

Those tools work great. I usually just use a thin screwdriver or a chisel and carefully work my way around.

Also, there isn't anything particularly special about dust caps. You could measure the ID of the situation and find a replacement cap somewhere.

There are some oddball sizes. I had a trailer awhile back that I never found a fitting dust cap. Ended up with a slightly smaller one and turned a bushing on the lathe to make it fit

 

[J.A.F.E.]

The guy that taught me used a pair of Channellocks the larger the pair the better adjusted to keep the jaws parallel. Works pretty good. I got the Snap-on tool and it works better.

 

[jsaw]

Grip it carefully and rock it then grip it 90 degrees and rock it again. It will come off

 

[jsaw]

If You have room , carefully use a chisel and work it around carefully a little bit at a time

 

[2ndGearRubber]

If You have room , carefully use a chisel and work it around carefully a little bit at a time

This is what I do, but with an air hammer.

 

[demarpaint]

I either rocked them off with with Tongue and Groove pliers or used a small flat blade screw driver and worked my way around the cap. I never had a problem getting them off.

 

[Jon h]

I always use two hammers.....a claw hammer with the claw between the lip of the dust cover and hub....put a little outward pressure on it and hit the hammer head of the claw hammer with another hammer.
It always works for me and doesn't screw up the dust cover.
hths

I second the claw hammer……and this is the ONLY time I will use a claw hammer on a vehicle…..
It really does work well.

Jon h.

 

[FigN⋅m]

I second the claw hammer……and this is the ONLY time I will use a claw hammer on a vehicle…..
It really does work well.

Jon h.

thirded - I inherited a Dead On forever ago and it lives in the 4Runner as a general purpose persuader
and perfect dust cap remover, as the claw edges seem a bit sharper than a typical claw.

 

[Jon h]

Here’s a pic…..

 

[DGersic]

And if you don't have a welder? C'mon, this is a simple task that doesn't require a welder if you have the proper tools.

Make the hole a little bigger and put a grease zerk in it to mess with the next guy that has to remove it.