Hubcap removal on '40 pickup - question
 

I just brought home a new toy - a '40 pickup with an older amateur restoration. Not a show car, but will end up being a driver. It's been sitting for over 10 years so of course the brakes are stuck, fuel system needs cleaned, etc. This truck has hubcaps, inner wheel covers, and outer trim rings. I've not seen a set of the inner wheel covers before. I'm concerned about denting/bending the inner wheel covers when removing the hubcaps as any prying will be against the wheel covers. Is there anything special here or am I just worrying too much?

Picture of the wheel with covers:

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictur...ictureid=17710



Picture of the pickup:

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictur...ictureid=17709

Re: Hubcap removal on '40 pickup - question
 

My '40 pickup doesn't have any extra trim, but I can remove the caps by using a plastic squeegee and working it around the edge and it comes off with out any damage. The tapered edge lets me shove it in and gradually shove the cap outward until it comes off.

Re: Hubcap removal on '40 pickup - question
 

Nice truck to sit around for 10 years ! Wow....sweet ! How many miles on it. I would love to find one like that. I have a '40 Sedan that sat around for about that long, but always wanted a pickup.

I use masking tape or duck tape in the area of wheel that I'm going to prey on to pop the trim and cap. Seems to work well and no marks. Just do it slow.

Thx....Mike42

Re: Hubcap removal on '40 pickup - question
 

I wrap a towel aroung the end and shaft of a screwdriver, pop the trim ring, then tap gently to pop the cap off. Before putting it back on I always put a little grease on the rim nipples to make next removal easier.

Re: Hubcap removal on '40 pickup - question
 

Tougher with the trim rings. I like them - even if they're too 'flashy' for some. Perhaps you may need to take a wide flathead screwdriver, heat the tip and bend it down so you can pull straight out rather than pry....

Re: Hubcap removal on '40 pickup - question
 

Lots of late model cars have a plastic wedge/prybar on the other end of the wheel nut wrench for popping the center caps off. I just changed a wheel on my 01 Focus today. that plastic wedge would work well in that application. Wrecking yards are probably full of em. You might even have one already on another car.

Mart.

Re: Hubcap removal on '40 pickup - question
 

very nice pickup....Mike

Re: Hubcap removal on '40 pickup - question
 

Thanks for all the kind comments regarding the pickup. I've had a project '40 pickup for almost 30 years and haven't gotten to it. When this one became available, it was a much faster road to having one of my "top ten" vehicles running/driving. The project truck will likely be for sale soon!!

TomT opened my eyes on this. I thought the center hubcap held the inner trim ring in place, but that is apparently not the case. Since the inner trim ring comes off before the hubcap, it's simply a matter of carefully popping off the inner first. I appreciate all the helpful insight.

Re: Hubcap removal on '40 pickup - question
 

The hupcap is what holds the inner beauty ring on. I use an old brake adjuster tool and beginning at 12 o'clock, I insert (or wedge it) straight down between the cap and ring. Then I gently pull the tool outwards while holding cap with my other hand. The cap will POP right off. There will be very negligible damage to the inboard flange of the inner beauty ring, but it will be covered by the cap when everything is reinstalled. PS__the inner ring has some razor sharp edges that can cut pretty deep if not careful. Ask me how I know. RPM

Re: Hubcap removal on '40 pickup - question
 

Who on earth would let that sit..... that truck is to beautiful to sit,she needs to be shown off. That's like being married to Betty Grable and making her stay home everytime you go out.

Re: Hubcap removal on '40 pickup - question
 

I'll second ttthat-sttill having troble using fingers after installinnng mine:(

Re: Hubcap removal on '40 pickup - question
 

As a followup - I pulled one of the hubcaps and inner trim rings off yesterday evening. Getting the hubcap off without denting/scarring the inner trim ring is a delicate operation to say the least. I used a wide blade screwdriver with a leather work glove as a cushion on the inner trim ring to pop the hubcap. As an education to those that haven't seen or installed these inner rings (including myself) the inner goes on the wheel first and is held in place by clips on its outside diameter. The hubcap goes on the wheel last and overlaps the inside diameter of the inner trim ring by roughly 1/8". FWIW these are late 70's/early 80's Argentina reproduction parts. Originals may fit differently? A couple pictures:

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictur...ictureid=17744

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictur...ictureid=17745