How to Change a Hubcap

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You may need to replace a dinged or scraped hubcap, which can happen from parking too close to or hitting a curb. If you find yourself missing a hubcap, you will need to replace it. You may be able to find a replacement hubcap to match the other hubcaps on your car online, at a tire store that carries hubcaps or at the dealership where you purchased your car. There are different types of hubcaps, and the removal process varies for each type.

Steps

Change a Hubcap With Screws

1. 1
   Locate the screw on the hubcap you need to remove. If it is not immediately visible, it could be under a plastic piece. Use a screwdriver to pry this small cover off carefully.

   
   
2. 2
   Unscrew the screw and remove the old hubcap. Take care to place the screw somewhere safe so it will not roll away or get lost.
3. 3
   Attach the new hubcap to the wheel and replace the screw.
4. 4
   Screw tightly with a screwdriver, being careful not to over-tighten the screw.

Change Hubcaps With Lug Nuts

1. 1
   Turn the lug nuts counterclockwise with a crowbar to loosen them. This may take some effort if the lug nuts are tight. Once loose, you can unscrew them by hand.
2. 2
   Take the lug nuts off the hubcap. Take care to put the lug nuts somewhere safe so you do not lose them.
3. 3
   Remove the old hubcap.
4. 4
   Place the new hubcap onto the bolts and replace the nuts. Tighten them by hand.
5. 5
   Tighten the lug nuts with the crowbar to ensure a tight fit.

Change a Hubcap Without Screws or Lug Nuts

1. 1
   Pry around the rim of the old hubcap with a screwdriver to loosen it.
2. 2
   Remove the hubcap.
3. 3
   Place the new hubcap onto the wheel.
4. 4
   Tap the rim all the way around until it the hubcap stays on. It will not be secure yet.
5. 5
   Hit the hubcap with a rubber mallet very carefully around the rim to make the hubcap secure.

   
   

Video

Tips

• If you are missing the screw for the hubcap, remove the screw from one of the other hubcaps and purchase a replacement at a hardware or auto parts store.
• If you do not have a rubber mallet handy, you can use the bottom of a rubber soled shoe or hit it hard with your hand. Be careful not to injure yourself if you are using the hand method.
• When tightening lug nuts, do not tighten them one after the other, but tighten every other one until they are all tight.

Warnings

• Be careful when hitting the hubcap with a rubber mallet so you will not ding or damage the new hubcap.
• If you fail to secure the hubcap correctly, you may lose the new hubcap while you are driving.
• Article provided by wikihow the wikihow manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Change a Hubcap. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license