[tiger1964]

Has anyone seen a really good deal on factory wheel center caps?

I bought a set soon after buying the car but, to save money, I bought an off-brand - not OEM. They were about 1/4 of OEM price. Years later, all the colors have faded, and one is actually loose and I suspect will self-jettison at some point.

 

[foodbiker]

From what I've been able to tell, those are our only two options: Factory OEM at list price, or cheap knock-offs. Tempted to go with the latter, but with first spraying a few coats of clear UV protectant (Krylon, etc.) first and see how they go. No deals to be had with the former, but you might consider buying them from your favorite online Porsche parts place (Delaware, Sunset, etc.) to save a few bucks; YMMV.

 

[tiger1964]

consider buying them from your favorite online Porsche parts place (Delaware, Sunset, etc.) to save a few bucks; YMMV.

Thanks. Hmmm, I did a search on both of those names, found links. Delaware much cheaper than Sunset. But, on both sites, either no wheel size listed or, if they do, they list for 19" & 20" but not my base 18", I guess it would help to determine OEM part #. And on one site, "silver" is discontinued...

 

[foodbiker]

All of the center caps are the same for all Porsches, @tiger1964 -- it's a stock size. This means, center caps for 18" will fit 17", 19," 20," etc. It's the same thing as the 5x130 bolt pattern being the same for all our P-cars (although the offsets may be very different). Hope that helps.

 

[tiger1964]

OK, thanks; I'll not bother to break out the micrometer, then.

BTW, if you happen to know... front-installable or do I pull the wheels (which is not a big deal, but...)?

And I do have the OEM caps that came with the base car, black logo on silver, kinda plain... those happen to fit the aftermarket wheels for my snow tires, which I have not even bothered to install the past two winters.

All of the center caps are the same for all Porsches, @tiger1964 -- it's a stock size. This means, center caps for 18" will fit 17", 19," 20," etc. It's the same thing as the 5x130 bolt pattern being the same for all our P-cars (although the offsets may be very different). Hope that helps.

 

[PorscheGreg]

If you look closely at the center caps, you will see two small holes. You can use and angled pick to pop them off via these holes.

Porsche even sells a tool for this. But a pick or two will do the trick.

Center Cap Removal Tool

Check out the deal on Center Cap Removal Tool at Suncoast Porsche Parts & Accessories

www.suncoastparts.com

 

[Boristhespyder]

My advice? Use a toothpick far less chance of scratching

 

[deilenberger]

My advice? Use a toothpick far less chance of scratching

Boris - have you done this? I don't know of a toothpick strong enough to pull a center-cap off..

As fun as it would be to have another Porsche special tool (I have a drawer in my toolbox named "Special Tools" - things like this fit in there nicely and will baffle whoever is the executor of my estate someday..

That reallly has an unneeded right angle in it - a bit of wire from a clothes hanger might make an adequate substitute, or:

Park Tool SPA-2 Red Freewheel Ring Pin Spanner [SPA-2] at BikeTiresDirect

Cluster cone pin spanner with 2.3mm pin diameter. Fits one-key release retaining rings on Shimano and Campagnolo cranksets and the adjusting cone on most freewheel clusters excluding freehubs).

www.biketiresdirect.com

$9.59 or less from various vendors.

 

[Boristhespyder]

I've done it exclusively; I don't want metal on my plastic painted center caps. Now you do break a few toothpicks but that's really no concern, AND I am so practiced now I can do it without breakage. I only change the centers now each brake flush so I don't even need the toothpicks.

 

[tiger1964]

Thanks, good to know this!

If you look closely at the center caps, you will see two small holes. You can use and angled pick to pop them off via these holes. Porsche even sells a tool for this. But a pick or two will do the trick.

Angled-tip small picks I have...

Park Tool SPA-2 Red Freewheel Ring Pin Spanner [SPA-2] at BikeTiresDirect

Cluster cone pin spanner with 2.3mm pin diameter. Fits one-key release retaining rings on Shimano and Campagnolo cranksets and the adjusting cone on most freewheel clusters excluding freehubs).

www.biketiresdirect.com

$9.59 or less from various vendors.

It's good to have an excuse to buy more Park tools for my collection of antique bikes. I spend far more time working on them than the car.

 

[tiger1964]

Found a set on eBay, used but the photos indicate good condition, for a mere $95. Seller wanted to see a photo of my wheels and then confirmed they would fit. Should be here by the weekend. Thanks for the help!

 

[SJFoster]

I just use an Allen Key. The small angled end goes through the hole and applies pressure from behind the cap when pulled. No damage to the front (or rear) of the cap with a bit of care.

 

[tiger1964]

I just use an Allen Key. The small angled end goes through the hole and applies pressure from behind the cap when pulled. No damage to the front (or rear) of the cap with a bit of care.

Makes sense and everyone has those. I'm just glad it's safe to pull from the front and remove the wheels just for center caps! Well, the new caps are on the way, I should know soon.

And I realize the Park Tool SPA-2 is designed for applying force rotationally, not pulling, I doubt it would work (and I hate working on freewheels!)

 

[Cayman Ed]

I use this kind of clip to remove my centre caps. One clip per hole and pulling outwards using both hands.

 

[jdavis8361]

A bent length of coat hanger wire has worked well for me on the caps on both my former 987CS and my current 981CS.

jD

 

[GotBox]

OK, thanks; I'll not bother to break out the micrometer, then.

BTW, if you happen to know... front-installable or do I pull the wheels (which is not a big deal, but...)?

And I do have the OEM caps that came with the base car, black logo on silver, kinda plain... those happen to fit the aftermarket wheels for my snow tires, which I have not even bothered to install the past two winters.

I have to pull my wheels. I like the shield to point at the valve stem, however mine ALWAYS seem to spin! A couple drops of super glue does the trick. Might have something to do with "tracking" my car. So happy at high revs!
Eyes up Look ahead😁

 

[tiger1964]

I use this kind of clip to remove my centre caps. One clip per hole and pulling outwards using both hands.

Considering I am retired from a 40-year career in office products, you'd think my mind would have gone there first. Yeah, they worked like a charm, centers are in.