How to Remove Wheel Bearing Dust Caps

Dust caps are an essential part of your car wheels because they keep out water, dirt and grime that can shorten the life of your wheel bearings. They also serve as a way to retain the wheel bearing grease in your wheel hub. But they need to be removed if you want to be able to clean your wheel bearings.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pliers
• Channel locks
• Flathead screwdriver
• Grease solvent
• Shop rag

1. Locate the dust caps on the wheel bearings of each wheel. They are small caps shaped like a derby hat with a bubble on the top and a small rim around it.

2. Use a pair of pliers to lock on to the dust cap and attempt to twist it off.

3. Try a pair of channel locks if the pliers are not enough to pry off the cap. Wiggle them back and forth to loosen the cap.

4. Grab a flathead screwdriver to pop the dust cap off the wheel bearing if the dust cap is not threaded.

Tips & Warnings

• Sometimes the dust caps can get stuck because of grease buildup. Use a rubber mallet to lightly tap the dust cap to break up the grease. Then try the pliers or channel locks to loosen the dust caps.
• If you're still having trouble removing the dust cap, try spraying a bit of solvent at the base of the cap. Wait a few minutes and then try loosening the cap with pliers or channel locks.
• Only use solvent to break up the grease if you plan on replacing or repacking your wheel bearings. The solvent will cause all the grease to dissolve and create friction between your wheel ball bearings if you don't add more grease.
• Most dust caps are threaded. Use a screwdriver as an absolute last resort. Most dust caps should come off with a twist.

Resources

• This site gives an account of how to repack wheel bearings.