When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Just curious as I have tried gently to pry one off but don’t want to break anything.
Have you tried removing the wheels and using a plastic trim removal from the backside of the wheels? That would have less chance of damaging the outer surface.
2023 Mercedes ESQ SUV 580 ● 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge
Originally Posted by Utopia Texas
Just curious as I have tried gently to pry one off but don’t want to break anything.
By the way, I completely agree with you that the RWO wheels would look much better without those inserts. I had originally placed my order with them as my wheel option. But after a closer look, and with nobody at the dealership knowing if the inserts were removable, I decided to have the order updated to the RWX wheels. (February delivery)
If you blow the photo up you can see a hole in each insert near the hub. When a flashlight is used to look into the tunnel of each hole it is solid at the end but there is a hole perpendicular to the tunnel. I wonder if there is a special tool that is “L” shaped to slide down the tunnel then insert perpendicularly to release something. Otherwise I see no use for the hole/tunnel.
I was just hoping someone else had already removed these and could elaborate here.
If you blow the photo up you can see a hole in each insert near the hub. When a flashlight is used to look into the tunnel of each hole it is solid at the end but there is a hole perpendicular to the tunnel. I wonder if there is a special tool that is “L” shaped to slide down the tunnel then insert perpendicularly to release something. Otherwise I see no use for the hole/tunnel.
I was just hoping someone else had already removed these and could elaborate here.
I doubt if there is anything to release in the hole. It's more likely that a stiff wire hook can clip into the hole and be used to pull that inner corner out. Have you looked for a tool somewhere in the car?
If you blow the photo up you can see a hole in each insert near the hub. When a flashlight is used to look into the tunnel of each hole it is solid at the end but there is a hole perpendicular to the tunnel. I wonder if there is a special tool that is “L” shaped to slide down the tunnel then insert perpendicularly to release something. Otherwise I see no use for the hole/tunnel.
I was just hoping someone else had already removed these and could elaborate here.
I doubt if there is anything to release in the hole. It's more likely that a stiff wire hook can clip into the hole and be used to pull that inner corner out. Have you looked for a tool somewhere in the car?
There is nothing I have found but can easily cobble something up from the hundreds of spare Allen wrenches I have around. Can grind one down a correct shape and clamp on a vice grip as a handle.
I believe I saw it mentioned somewhere in one of the zillion reviews out there that these inserts had some aerodynamic benefit. If they do, I suspect it must be very small...
I took a look this morning and the inserts are held on the inside of the hub with Allen type machine screws. The tires will have to be removed in order to take the inserts off properly. A project for another day! At least I know the answer now.
No, Never got around to it. Since they are fastened and removed from the back side each wheel has to be removed and at 70 years old projects like these are no longer done just for the fun of it! 😊
No, Never got around to it. Since they are fastened and removed from the back side each wheel has to be removed and at 70 years old projects like these are no longer done just for the fun of it! 😊
Thank you for the update. I may try to remove these and post a pic.
12-12-2022, 07:39 PM
