New old tool

[Bill_qaz]

Just picked up a melco branded 3/8W wheel nut spinner. I know the starter handle fits but find the spinner type much easier.

Screenshot_20240127-183732_eBay.jpg (58 KiB) Viewed 2764 times

[les]

I had one exactly like that, even down to the paintwork/patina, so thats where it went, I thought it was in my garage, no wonder I cant find it.—————-only joking, it’s in the back of my van !

[mike1864]

I find that the hubcap flange on my 1956 L-shaped wheelnut wrench needs forcing into the gap, tending to scuff the wheels' paintwork when twisting.
Does anyone know of a tool that is:
a. softer
b. slim (<2mm)
c. rigid
A broken half of a wooden peg is the closest I've found (but it still split!)

[Bill_qaz]

I don't have that issue as it has wheel trims fitted, so the spoon is between that and the hub cap. Have you thought of using a plastic body trim tool? Such as https://ebay.us/m/oOLPwm

https://amzn.eu/d/7WpMSXi

[svenedin]

I find that the hubcap flange on my 1956 L-shaped wheelnut wrench needs forcing into the gap, tending to scuff the wheels' paintwork when twisting.
Does anyone know of a tool that is:
a. softer
b. slim (<2mm)
c. rigid
A broken half of a wooden peg is the closest I've found (but it still split!)

Out on the road I use the hub cap tool from ESM (and others). It works and is small and lightweight to carry in the car. At home I use a claw hammer with a lever action with the point of contact on the wheel rim padded with kitchen towel.

https://www.morrisminorspares.com/wheel ... 51-p831479

Stephen

[philthehill]

I have the matching Melco car ramps in the same fetching patina

[myoldjalopy]

I find that the hubcap flange on my 1956 L-shaped wheelnut wrench needs forcing into the gap, tending to scuff the wheels' paintwork when twisting.
Does anyone know of a tool that is:
a. softer
b. slim (<2mm)
c. rigid
A broken half of a wooden peg is the closest I've found (but it still split!)

My car is only a year older than yours and has the same tool. I always put a piece of corrugated cardboard between the tool and the wheel when I use it and that protects the paintwork.

[Bill_qaz]

Ironically on Sundays outing I lost a front hub cap
Heard the clang as it hit the road but didn't see where in the long grass it landed. Walked the verge twice with no luck. Good news was the trim only fell off as I was stopping so landed in the road and easily spotted.
Anyway bit of panel beating and wire wool and one of my spare ones made presentable enough to use as it's not a show car.
Nice find for someone if ever located

[Mervin]

I have a similar wheelnut wrench, but it's a 90degree bend, not a spinner type. The hubcap removal end is useless and as mentioned risks damaging the wheel's paint.
I doubt a plastic trim removal tool will be strong enough.
I made a hubcap removal "tool" from a piece of flat bar steel bent to 90deg. with the shorter part ground down to fit between the wheel and hubcap. That end is wrapped in electrical insulting tape as paint protection.
I also have a "tool" as originally supplied with the car for that purpose. It works but I prefer the beefier implement.

[jaekl]

The stainless steel caps can be pulled off with your fingers. Although I do have one that is stubborn and gets harder every year. The engine crank also works well. With one of the pawls on the edge of the cap and the round boss against the well, a bit of rotation and off comes the cap.

[StillGotMy1stCar]

I have a similar wheelnut wrench, but it's a 90degree bend, not a spinner type. The hubcap removal end is useless and as mentioned risks damaging the wheel's paint.
I doubt a plastic trim removal tool will be strong enough.
I made a hubcap removal "tool" from a piece of flat bar steel bent to 90deg. with the shorter part ground down to fit between the wheel and hubcap. That end is wrapped in electrical insulting tape as paint protection.
I also have a "tool" as originally supplied with the car for that purpose. It works but I prefer the beefier implement.

I do like a good typo, I find insulating tape insulting at times.
Naughty tape

[Mervin]

"I do like a good typo" It's intentional. I have always referred to it as insulting tape.
I would suggest if the hubcaps are removable, by using only one's fingers, then they are too loose with the added risk of a dynamic loss on the road.

[DavidAH]

I have tried various tools to remove the hub caps, but now always use the the spare wheel clamp - which seems to work really well. I have some electrical tape on the edge of the clamp anyway, to stop it rubbing on the boot floor and this serves to protect the wheel when using the clamp as a hub cap remover.

[philthehill]

The spare wheel clamp was designed to remove the hub cap as well as holding the spare wheel in place.