67 Bolt-on's starburst removel??

[William B.]

I just bought a 67 with western wheel repo bolt-on's and removing the starbursts is a frustrating experience to say the least???? I was able to remove 2 of them by grasping with my hand and giving a quick hard yank The other 2 took an hour each of gently prying with screw drivers trying not to break the ears or the casting.
Is there a tool avaliable, beter method of removal, or is there a better starburst avaliable?
Please help, I am concerned about putting them back on,

[Larry S.]

Re: 67 Bolt-on's starburst removel??

I can't take credit for this idea; another member told me how to do it. Go to any auto parts store and buy a seal puller. Use a piece of cardboard behind to puller so that you don't scratch your wheels. One easy flip of the wrist and your starbursts are off.

[Brian M.]

Re: 67 Bolt-on's starburst removel??

John Hinckley uses a seal puller, I have been using a long thin screwdriver for years without any issues. I have also numbered the starburst to a specific wheel and indexed a fin on the backside with a red dot that aligns with the valve.

[William B.]

Re: 67 Bolt-on's starburst removel??

Seal puller sounds great. What do you mean by indexing the valve?

[Chris L.]

Re: 67 Bolt-on's starburst removel??

I bent a slim screwdriver into a horseshoe shape while working a my neighbors blue oval "foreign" car and rather than throw it away, I wrapped the 'U" section with electrical tape and it works like a champ removing the starburst ! I keep extra clips on hand as they have a tendency to break off.

[Kirk M.]

Re: 67 Bolt-on's starburst removel??

I bent a slim screwdriver into a horseshoe shape while working a my neighbors blue oval "foreign" car and rather than throw it away, I wrapped the 'U" section with electrical tape and it works like a champ removing the starburst ! I keep extra clips on hand as they have a tendency to break off.

Chris,

Next time you tighten the lug nuts just make sure the flat edge of the nut is "parallel" to the curve of the wheel, rather than the point of two edges of the nut. Then the clips won't catch and break on the point of the lug nut!!!! It makes a huge difference and no more broken clips.

[Lorne G.]

Re: 67 Bolt-on's starburst removel??

I believe that Crane Corvette in California has just produced a starburst that actually screws or bolts to the wheel with an adapter.
Lorne

[Brian M.]

Re: 67 Bolt-on's starburst removel??

I put a red dot on the back of the fin of the starburst, this fin is installed pointing to the valve. This way the starburst goes on in the same position every time.

Seal puller sounds great. What do you mean by indexing the valve?

[Chris L.]

Re: 67 Bolt-on's starburst removel??

Chris,

Next time you tighten the lug nuts just make sure the flat edge of the nut is "parallel" to the curve of the wheel, rather than the point of two edges of the nut. Then the clips won't catch and break on the point of the lug nut!!!! It makes a huge difference and no more broken clips.

Thanks Kirk....I actually never gave that a thought, but it makes sense.
Chris

[John H.]

Re: 67 Bolt-on's starburst removel??

Here's the seal puller I use - stick a rag behind it to protect the wheel, and it pops them right off.

You might also note that the deep-shouldered lug nuts on the repro wheels have a 7/8" hex (vs. the 3/4" hex on original wheels), so your jack-handle lug wrench won't work on them. To avoid carrying two wrenches, I welded a standard lug nut to a 7/8" 6-point socket and carry it in my "road box" so my jack-handle lug wrench can be used on both the spare tire tub bolt and on the reproduction bolt-on wheels.

[William B.]

Thank's everyone, GREAT SUGGESTIONS!

Thanks for everyones help, I now have a plan of attack to remove them.

[Bill C.]

Re: 67 Bolt-on's starburst removel??

Corvette America sells a neat little suction cup fitted with a "T" handle puller made for that application. Part #39902 @ $10.99 that works great.
Have Fun, Bill #20328

[John H.]

Re: 67 Bolt-on's starburst removel??

Corvette America sells a neat little suction cup fitted with a "T" handle puller made for that application. Part #39902 @ $10.99 that works great.
Have Fun, Bill #20328

Bill -

That's for removing the cap from the spinner on reproduction knock-off and direct-bolt knock-off wheels, not for removing the "starburst" cap from bolt-on wheels.

[Bill C.]

Re: 67 Bolt-on's starburst removel??

oops! right church, wrong pew