Best way to remove/replace rally wheel cap?

[Mark E.]

What's a good method for removing and installing the center cap on rally wheels?

I use a small puller to yank the cap off without touching the trim ring, but it sometimes goes flying. And is there a way to install the cap without beating it to heck? I grease the three tabs on the wheel, cover the cap with a towel and use a mallet but it fights me and I worry about denting it. Sometimes it goes flying and risks hitting the trim ring.

I know this is a basic question but it's stressful.

[Owen L.]

Re: Best way to remove/replace rally wheel cap?

For the rally caps on both my '67 and '72, I use my fingers to pry them off. If you run your fingers along the outside of the cap's rim, you'll feel a place for your fingers to get a better purchase. Then just pull it off from that leverage point. Putting it back on, place the cap's securing ring behind two of the wheel's bosses so only the third is not engaged. Then use the base of your palm at the wrist to give the rim of the cap a swift "pop" to seat it. Granted, using your hand to seat the caps can get a little sore if you have to do it a lot in a single day, but that's the way I've done it for decades and it works for me.

[James G.]

Re: Best way to remove/replace rally wheel cap?

I remove them the same as Owen...
To replace, I put the lower lip of the cap in the wheel center at about 6 oclock - and then take my fingers on both hands and grip through 2 of upper slots in the ralley wheel somewhere around 10 and 2 - resting the heel of your hand on the cap lip... SQUEEZE your hands and the cap pops right onto the wheel.

FWIW I have used my hands as hammers entirely too often in my life - often a few days later trying to figure out why my hand hurts so bad.

[Owen L.]

Re: Best way to remove/replace rally wheel cap?

I remove them the same as Owen...
To replace, I put the lower lip of the cap in the wheel center at about 6 oclock - and then take my fingers on both hands and grip through 2 of upper slots in the ralley wheel somewhere around 10 and 2 - resting the heel of your hand on the cap lip... SQUEEZE your hands and the cap pops right onto the wheel.

FWIW I have used my hands as hammers entirely too often in my life - often a few days later trying to figure out why my hand hurts so bad.

Good advice. I'll have to give your technique a try.