How to Change a Hubcap

Parallel parking too close to the curb not only is bad for your tires but can also damage or dislodge hubcaps. Fortunately, a hubcap is one of the easier things to replace on a car.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• New Hubcap
• Rubber Mallet Or Sneaker
• Screwdriver

1. If a hubcap is missing, look at the other wheels to see how the hubcaps are attached to the car. Some screw on and off, some pop on and off, and others are held on by the wheel lug nuts, which you must remove before putting the hubcap on or taking it off.

2. If your car has the screw-on type, remove the screw that holds the hubcap on. It may be under a small plastic cover that you can pry off gently with a screwdriver. (If the hold-down screw is missing, remove a screw from another wheel and match it up at an auto-parts store or a hardware store.) Place the new hubcap on the wheel and reattach the hold-down screw.

3. If your car has the push-on type, remove the hubcap by prying around the rim with a screwdriver. Push on the new hubcap and gently tap around the rim until it stays on by itself. Then use a rubber mallet or the bottom of a sneaker to hammer it until snug (a regular hammer will dent the hubcap).

4. If your hubcaps have lug nuts, see How to Fix a Flat Tire.

Tips & Warnings

• Hubcaps, especially the push-on kind, sometimes cause wheels to squeak when driving. Remove the hubcap and test-drive the car to diagnose whether this is the source of the squeak. Reinstalling or reseating the hubcap may fix this problem.

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on 11/22/2005 I had a little difficulty putting in my pop-on hubcap. After watching someone do it easily, the trick is as follows: Put in one side of the hubcap. Place one hand firmly over that side to hold it in place. Whack the other side in with your other hand. This will put in the hubcap. Then just hit around it with your hand, no mallet needed.