Removing Stubborn Dust Cap

[bschwoep]

I run a Ranger Trail with E-Z lube hubs. Went to grease them up, and realized the EZ is in name only, lol. The dust cap is shaped like a mushroom and does not have threads. I tried using the screw driver and hammer method (as recommended by the owner manual) and was able to get the thing about 1/4" off, but that was it. I was beyond frustrated... A simple task shouldn't be this hard. I was thinking of getting some short shank screwdrivers, so I could get more force behind it in the tight quarters. Any other tips or tricks? I really don't want to take the wheel off again to find that I can't get the cap off. Guess it's better to find out now than on the side of the road that I can't get the thing off.

[jerzia]

It can be frustrating, but once you get them off, you see how they come off. On my 95 Ranger trailer, I used a chisel with a pretty good sized blade. Once they start to move, get that chisel behind the lip, and give it a good whack with a hammer. It will come off! Be glad they are tight, it helps keep them sealed. Once you get them out and do what you need to do the grease, take some emery cloth and clean up the edge of the cap. Also, coat the edge with some orange/red Permatex before re-installing. It also helps keep it sealed nice and tight.

[gofishbass]

Have the same problem with a new Nitro Z7. When boat was picked-up several months ago asked dealer to show me how to take off dust covers. He gave it a whack with his hand (pressure from left to right on one of the protrusions,) and it popped right off. Tried yesterday for about 20 minutes. Tried with hand, tried whacking it, tried turning it, tried tapping on it with gentle force. Still both on and did not get either one to move.

Please advise if and how you solved this issue? Would like to grease the wheel bearings some day and would also like to take the dust covers off in one piece (if that is possible.)

[Lyn O. Dyer]

It's best to remove the tire when removing the protector, you can get a better angle to hit the protector..use a hard rubber mallet..also, if you have just a regular "dust cap", you really need to install bearing protectors to keep the hubs pressurized....take a look here...ufpnet.com...look in the axle section for the Trailer Buddy axles...

[bschwoep]

Thanks for the tips guys! I also looked a little more into it, and found a video of someone using a split lock pliers to pull them off after loosening them with a screw driver and hammer. Not sure if I have one that will open big enough though, may have to pick one up though.

I did have the tire removed, you have to remove it to access the axle on my Ranger because of a decrotive "hub cap" on the wheel. That's what was even more frustrating, I had to put the wheel back on without accomplishing my task.

I'll give it another try soon, have a 4 hour trip at the end of July so I need to make sure the bearings are good to go.