help a noob

Ronin · 01-23-2009, 06:10 PM

I have a set of sport edition a7's on my 135i (Pilot Alpin PA3's in case anyones' interested, and they rock).

I received the center caps from the dealer *after* the wheels were installed.

Is there any way to remove the "Sport Edition" centers and replace them with the BMW ones *without removing the wheel*. I have tried everything short of drilling a hole in the center to remove them.

Nothing seems to work. The centers from the BMW summer rims pop out no problem. What am I missing?

thanks in advance

jtsherri · 01-23-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronin

I have a set of sport edition a7's on my 135i (Pilot Alpin PA3's in case anyones' interested, and they rock).

I received the center caps from the dealer *after* the wheels were installed.

Is there any way to remove the "Sport Edition" centers and replace them with the BMW ones *without removing the wheel*. I have tried everything short of drilling a hole in the center to remove them.

Nothing seems to work. The centers from the BMW summer rims pop out no problem. What am I missing?

thanks in advance

Have you tried a suction cup? Maybe dab some hot glue on before putting it in place?

penny · 01-23-2009, 06:16 PM

Yup, suction cup was easiest method for me.

david @ eas · 01-23-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtsherri

Have you tried a suction cup? Maybe dab some hot glue on before putting it in place?

Quote:

Originally Posted by penny

Yup, suction cup was easiest method for me.

Easiest way without taking the actual wheel/tire off and popping it from the inside.

MadMan77 · 01-23-2009, 08:06 PM

I used a large suction cup and they came out a lot easier than I thought they would. I would have thought that they were just sitting in there with how easy it was.

Ronin · 01-23-2009, 08:38 PM

Actually yes - I did try a large suction cup (the suction cup is used to screw in halogen bulbs and it fits perfectly). I pulled like crazy but no results.

I will try again tomorrow when the wheel is cool (its supposed to be -20C tonight). I was thinking that if the cavity behind the wheel had been heated from the heat of the brakes, it may be causing some negative pressure.

If that does not work, then I will try 4 dabs of glue (one in each quadrant) and some string to then pull it off.

JME · 01-24-2009, 01:23 AM

I used a very small screwdriver and very very carefully pried them off.

I have the same wheels for my winter setup. I forgot to change the center caps until I had the new wheels on and realized it looked funky with the SE caps on it, lol

MadMan77 · 01-25-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imported_Ronin

Actually yes - I did try a large suction cup (the suction cup is used to screw in halogen bulbs and it fits perfectly). I pulled like crazy but no results.

I will try again tomorrow when the wheel is cool (its supposed to be -20C tonight). I was thinking that if the cavity behind the wheel had been heated from the heat of the brakes, it may be causing some negative pressure.

If that does not work, then I will try 4 dabs of glue (one in each quadrant) and some string to then pull it off.

That is amazing. Mine just came right out. Your best option is what another user posted and take your wheels off. Screwdrivers on wheels is for car thieves... lol

Lester · 01-25-2009, 10:34 AM

Try a little WD40 first around the edge first.

Ronin · 01-26-2009, 09:45 AM

Thanks all - I'm convinced they've glued them in as a suction cup, WD40, screwdrivers etc. have all failed to extract the center cap. Will have to wait 'till the spring to find out.

bman6074 · 01-26-2009, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronin

Thanks all - I'm convinced they've glued them in as a suction cup, WD40, screwdrivers etc. have all failed to extract the center cap. Will have to wait 'till the spring to find out.

Wow why would they have glued them in??? Wondering if there is something wrong. Very odd.

Ronin · 01-26-2009, 12:07 PM

Well, there seems to be something else at play - if all of the suggested solutions don't work...

I'll keep at it - if they come off, I'll post

bman6074 · 01-26-2009, 12:22 PM

why not just try taking one wheel off see if you can pop it off from the inside. At least then you will know for sure they arent' glued in or somthing else.

EspressoBoy · 01-26-2009, 12:56 PM

Ronin where did you buy from them?

My winter rims were sport edition. I just took a wooden stick...and put on inside and a small whack and they just poped out.

If that doesn't work, then maybe call who you purchased them from and ask them.

This is a fist to hear of roundels being glued in.

EspressoBoy

imdanomite · 01-26-2009, 08:49 PM

drill a hole thru them...

larryn · 01-26-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imdanomite

drill a hole thru them...

Pick axe works too.

jtsherri · 01-26-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryn

Pick axe works too.

I LOL'd. Fo' realz.

imdanomite · 01-26-2009, 11:05 PM

corkscrew

Oregon · 01-27-2009, 01:47 AM

Should Larry's pick ax method fail, and, I can't see why it would, there's always Andy's DIY roundel replacement - http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=216391

Also, a bit of duct tape to pull the roundel followed by a round toothpick or a disposable plastic knife in the gap thus created works as well.

Ronin · 01-27-2009, 02:48 PM

Thanks Surname - I looked around for a post on removing the center caps, but didn't search "roundels"

As for the posts suggesting I remove the wheel - thanks guys - way to read the OP

I'll try again using the suction cup method and the duct tape method. They're jammed in there really tightly (which is why I postulated that they were glued).

JME · 01-27-2009, 03:44 PM

Yeah, I believe we have the same wheels, in which case the one wheel that went one before I could get the center cap off was a serious pain. Good Luck!

EspressoBoy · 01-27-2009, 04:33 PM

Does anyone know where to the get a BMW pick axe for removing the roundel's?

I used an old stick but that just didn't feel right.

This reminds me of an old Digial Equipment Co joke... they called the "unit"

MAFD Mass Air Flow Device.... (I think it was that...my memory is not what it used to be)

I had to ask what it was...

answer... FAN!

EspressoBoy

01-23-2009, 06:10 PM	#1
Ronin New Member 5 Rep 20 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jan 2009 iTrader: (0)	help a noob - removing center caps I have a set of sport edition a7's on my 135i (Pilot Alpin PA3's in case anyones' interested, and they rock). I received the center caps from the dealer after the wheels were installed. Is there any way to remove the "Sport Edition" centers and replace them with the BMW ones without removing the wheel. I have tried everything short of drilling a hole in the center to remove them. Nothing seems to work. The centers from the BMW summer rims pop out no problem. What am I missing? thanks in advance
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01-23-2009, 06:16 PM	#3
penny Captain 43 Rep 829 Posts Drives: '08 135i (sold) Join Date: May 2008 Location: Las Colinas iTrader: (2)	Yup, suction cup was easiest method for me. __________________ '08 135i.
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01-23-2009, 08:06 PM	#5
MadMan77 ↓↓↓ Ex-Con ↓↓↓ 34 Rep 1,874 Posts Drives: Jet Black '08 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Yigo iTrader: (1)	I used a large suction cup and they came out a lot easier than I thought they would. I would have thought that they were just sitting in there with how easy it was. __________________
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01-23-2009, 08:38 PM	#6
Ronin New Member 5 Rep 20 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jan 2009 iTrader: (0)	Actually yes - I did try a large suction cup (the suction cup is used to screw in halogen bulbs and it fits perfectly). I pulled like crazy but no results. I will try again tomorrow when the wheel is cool (its supposed to be -20C tonight). I was thinking that if the cavity behind the wheel had been heated from the heat of the brakes, it may be causing some negative pressure. If that does not work, then I will try 4 dabs of glue (one in each quadrant) and some string to then pull it off.
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01-24-2009, 01:23 AM	#7
JME Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 239 Posts Drives: Join Date: May 2008 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	I used a very small screwdriver and very very carefully pried them off. I have the same wheels for my winter setup. I forgot to change the center caps until I had the new wheels on and realized it looked funky with the SE caps on it, lol
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01-25-2009, 10:34 AM	#9
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	Try a little WD40 first around the edge first.
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01-26-2009, 09:45 AM	#10
Ronin New Member 5 Rep 20 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jan 2009 iTrader: (0)	Thanks all - I'm convinced they've glued them in as a suction cup, WD40, screwdrivers etc. have all failed to extract the center cap. Will have to wait 'till the spring to find out.
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01-26-2009, 12:07 PM	#12
Ronin New Member 5 Rep 20 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jan 2009 iTrader: (0)	Well, there seems to be something else at play - if all of the suggested solutions don't work... I'll keep at it - if they come off, I'll post
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01-26-2009, 12:22 PM	#13
bman6074 Major 103 Rep 1,254 Posts Drives: 14 M235i and 07 Lotus Exige S Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	why not just try taking one wheel off see if you can pop it off from the inside. At least then you will know for sure they arent' glued in or somthing else. __________________
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01-26-2009, 12:56 PM	#14
EspressoBoy 1addict, and proud 40 Rep 1,019 Posts Drives: BMW 135i 08 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (1)	Ronin where did you buy from them? My winter rims were sport edition. I just took a wooden stick...and put on inside and a small whack and they just poped out. If that doesn't work, then maybe call who you purchased them from and ask them. This is a fist to hear of roundels being glued in. EspressoBoy __________________
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01-26-2009, 08:49 PM	#15
imdanomite likes boobies ( o )( o ) 13 Rep 275 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 135i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	drill a hole thru them...
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01-26-2009, 11:05 PM	#18
imdanomite likes boobies ( o )( o ) 13 Rep 275 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 135i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	corkscrew
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01-27-2009, 01:47 AM	#19
Oregon NRA Life Member, BMW CCA 30 year member 181 Rep 2,614 Posts Drives: 04' M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Oregon iTrader: (1) Garage List 1971 2002 [0.00] 2004 M3 [0.00] 2008 135i [0.00]	Should Larry's pick ax method fail, and, I can't see why it would, there's always Andy's DIY roundel replacement - http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=216391 Also, a bit of duct tape to pull the roundel followed by a round toothpick or a disposable plastic knife in the gap thus created works as well. __________________ Resigned 1ADDICTS Moderator “To disarm the people is the best and most effective way to enslave them.” – George Mason
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01-27-2009, 02:48 PM	#20
Ronin New Member 5 Rep 20 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jan 2009 iTrader: (0)	Thanks Surname - I looked around for a post on removing the center caps, but didn't search "roundels" As for the posts suggesting I remove the wheel - thanks guys - way to read the OP I'll try again using the suction cup method and the duct tape method. They're jammed in there really tightly (which is why I postulated that they were glued).
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01-27-2009, 03:44 PM	#21
JME Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 239 Posts Drives: Join Date: May 2008 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	Yeah, I believe we have the same wheels, in which case the one wheel that went one before I could get the center cap off was a serious pain. Good Luck!
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01-27-2009, 04:33 PM	#22
EspressoBoy 1addict, and proud 40 Rep 1,019 Posts Drives: BMW 135i 08 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (1)	Does anyone know where to the get a BMW pick axe for removing the roundel's? I used an old stick but that just didn't feel right. This reminds me of an old Digial Equipment Co joke... they called the "unit" MAFD Mass Air Flow Device.... (I think it was that...my memory is not what it used to be) I had to ask what it was... answer... FAN! EspressoBoy __________________
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