Removing my center caps?

[540i6sp1995]

I have chrome 16" style 5's. The center caps are these ones.
http://www.hubcaps.org/hubcaps/bmw/bmw906.jpg
I am having a hell of a time trying to get these things off. I feel like im gonna break them and one of the is cracked as it appears the person before me was just as dumb as i am. Do they just pop straight out or do they twist off? Is there some kind of special key that i am missing. They kinda turn to the left like 1/4 of an inch but then stop. I tried taking a screwdriver and a hammer to them trying to twist them off and they wont budge. Any suggestions?

[thejlevie]

They pry out. And yes the can be a pain to get off the wheels. I like to use a couple of flat blade screw drivers, one small (~1/4 tip) to start with and a larger one (~3/8 tip) to actually lever the cap off. Get the large screw driver well under the cap so it isn't levering the edge.

A rubber hammer is a big help in getting them back on.

[AndrewH]

Open your trunk and locate the spare tire. Where the wing nut secures the spare in place, there should be a black plastic octogan-looking piece that sits atop the "stick" that goes through the middle of the spare. The piece is used to twist off the center caps off without breaking them. If it is not there, the previous owner might have lost it or threw it out accidently. You can get one on ebay for like 5 bucks.

[Qsilver7]

whatever you do...DON'T pry them off...like stated above...they TWIST off (counter clockwise I believe). If you don't have the tool (that has teeth that fit into the cut outs in the hub cap) get a good grip on the cap with your hands and twist.

The cap turns and comes out towards you...so don't PRESS inward while turning...it would be like pushing down on a twist off bottle cap...kinda defeating the purpose...if you know what I mean! :D

You can see the diagram for the hub cap wrench/tool from the online parts database...its #10 in the diagram (btw, my wrench/tool is gray not black and I have a set of these wheels I use mounted with snow tires): http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=GJ83&mospid=47531&btnr=36_0182&hg=36&fg=15&hl=14

[540i6sp1995]

Sweet. I found the tool. All is good now. Thanks a lot guys!

[540i6sp1995]

lol. The tool is stripped. I need one really bad now as i am about to replace my suspension and i cant even get the damn center caps off? Where can i find one of these things? The part number is "36 13-1 181 948" or at least thats what it says on this plastic piece of crap. PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP ME FIND ONE OF THESE THINGS!!!!!!

It is part number 10 in this diagram. Its called a HUB CAP WRENCH.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=GJ83&mospid=47531&btnr=36_0182&hg=36&fg=15&hl=14



thanks...





UPDATE: JUST CALLED BMW DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE THE PART FOR $4.00. PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!