Rear wheel centre cap

[Quatrelle]

Hello

I am trying to service the rear brakes on my 1985 GTL and, despite poring over the excellent Tech Tips section, I cannot work out how to remove the wheel centre cap to expose the hub centre nut. I don't want to break anything so please can somebody tell me how to remove this? It's probably really simple but my Suzi has been in a dark, dingy corner for over two years and stuff has no doubt seized up. I'd prefer to use the gentle technique rather than the 7lb mallet!

Many thanks in advance

 

[Tripyrenees]

It is a bit tricky, but use a pair of plumbers pliers (the ones that ratchet larger for pipes) and a rag and basically grip the dome as best you can and wiggle it off. Another way but does a little damage to the dome is with a screwdriver to prise it off.

It is just sitting on there with friction.

 

[Quatrelle]

Many thanks Tripy. I tried the plumbers pliers yesterday and when nothing gave I decided to ask for help here. I shall persevere!

 

[breton]

or a mole wrench

 

[Tripyrenees]

Wiggle and twist and squirt some wd40 into the gap but not too much as you don't want to force all the grease out of the wheel bearings.

 

[Quatrelle]

I finally got it of the off using the plumber's wrench (left a few teeth marks but small price to pay, LOL). One down, three to go

Thanks to everybody for their tips and advice!

 

[Tripyrenees]

Same here - I have a few scars on mine too. Now if Renault had just put a notch or a flat spot to get them off easier. Wonder what tool they used?

 

[Quatrelle]

Some kind of high-pressure suction device that leaves no marks...?

 

[elch101]

First a little oil spray around. Then a plastic hammer. Push it carefull a very little bit in the wrong direktion - that "breaks" the rust or whathever sticks. More oil. Try tapping around with the hammer. Maybe it comes out. If not wrap a band of rubber around and then use the plumbers wrench.
Renault has a special tool. It's a big nippers that fits exactly the cap.

 

[Quatrelle]

Renault has a special tool. It's a big nippers that fits exactly the cap.

Why does that not surprise me? However, for something as relatively basic as removal of a wheel spindle dust cover you'd have thought they wouldn't have made something so specialised for a car so ostensibly simple? Moot point I suppose.

 

[Tripyrenees]

Hey Quatrelle - where abouts are you, i am literally a stomes throw from 65

 

[Quatrelle]

Don't throw too hard, you're likely to hit me or Suzi, and she really doesn't need any more dents. We live in Trie sur Baïse, but we're about 500 metres from the Gers, so I hope you have a good throwing arm!!

 

[Tripyrenees]

Not that far. We are by Montrejeau. There is a Bourse in Auch this saturday. We will be there searching for the finishing touches for our 4L

 

[Quatrelle]

Indeed, not that far! This weekend I will no doubt be dealing with an ever-so-annoying teenage family issue. But hey-ho, that's kids for you.

 

[angel]

you'd have thought they wouldn't have made something so specialised for a car so ostensibly simple? Moot point I suppose.

You must see the same hub grease cup on the 2CV, and how is it removed, and I'm sure you'll appreciate Renault's method!

 

[Quatrelle]

When I was young I rode Lambrettas, they have don't have a grease cap on the rear hub, the thing is purely cosmetic. None of the drum brake motorbikes I rode in my youth had a dust cap (that I can recall). I can't see the need for the complexity although aesthetically I agree it makes a world of difference

 

[Quatrelle]

Just another quick question, if I may.

Having removed both rear wheel hubs and the circlip retaining rings on each spindle, I noticed that the spindle nut on both left and right was not much more than finger-tight. Is that really correct? When I decided to tighten one of the nuts a little more I noticed at once that the wheel hub turned with great difficulty, so I loosened the nut off and tightened it to just over finger-tight and replaced everything. Both rear wheels turn freely without any play (to my untrained eye) in the hub, but I've never encountered that. Having said that, I'm no expert, but it does strike me as slightly odd.

 

[Tripyrenees]

It is correct - if you over tighten the bearings seize up. That is why there is a circlip to prevent it loosening off anymore.

 

[Quatrelle]

Thanks for the confirmation!

Best regards

Frank

 

[Quatrelle]

Well, after a few miles of driving I have determined that, after 2 years standing idle, the rear brakes, with no replacing of parts, just lubrication, now function perfectly and the wheels turn freely when the car is jacked up. The handbrake needs no adjustment either and does its job well. But the front wheels are another matter and both sets of front brakes bind tightly and don't release well at all. I've dismantled the callipers and at least one of the floating pins on each side was well stuck in place and, after freeing and greasing all 4, the brakes work well (plenty of meat on both pads and discs) but are still not releasing, so I think I'm looking at dismantling both callipers and fitting a complete rubber replacement kit. And on top of that I hate bleeding brakes, but it's difficult to tell if a car's engine is running properly when it feels like you're pulling a 40' trailer!