Removing Wheel Covers

Hi Folks,
I am trying to remove the wheel covers from my 2009 2551PC. ls it as simple as using as a large flat head screw driver to pop the cap or is it held in place with a lug nut that is covered with a fake chrome nut. Cannot locate markings for lug nut on the fake chrome cover if that is the case.

Hi ROO,

I believe others will answer the same as I have here....

The standard wheel covers do not have a locking feature...(adding...WRONG, read next reply!)  You pry it off, but use the end of the supplied lug wrench instead of a screw driver because the end of the lug wrench is much larger, less likely to deform the wheel cover.  When doing so, pay close attention to your valve stems and their extensions.  You don't want to accidentally damage them.

I have never had mine off, but I'd like to pop the left-front wheel cover off to shape it perfect.  I think since the rig was new, that wheel cover has had a slight deformation near the center, spinning less than perfect.  I've always wondered if it looks bad when the our PC is driven.  I should jack up that corner and spin the wheel to see how it looks.

Mine is a 2007 and has the fake nuts. I used a pair of water pumps and tried wiggling the nut. The fake one will give a little and then just pull off exposing the lock nut. 

Mine is a 2007 and has the fake nuts. I used a pair of water pumps and tried wiggling the nut. The fake one will give a little and then just pull off exposing the lock nut. 

So one of the 8 fake nuts needs to be removed to access a hidden lock nut?  All these years on the PC forum and I never read that before.  I learn something new all the time.

Not sure about 2009, but my new 2018 2552 has wheel covers which are removed by persistent prying around the perimeter. I took them off while installing a tire pressure monitoring system.  As Ron says, check the valve stem locations to ensure you don't accidentally damage them.

I watched a tech at Phoenix install the wheel covers by centering them on the wheel and hitting them sharply with his fist.  Looked easy. When I went to reinstalled mine later, I discovered his fist must be a lot stronger than mine. I resorted to well placed kicks, and I hurt my foot. I've since purchased a big rubber mallet, which does the trick nicely.

John

my 2007 2700 had the fake chrome lug nut covers separate from the wheel cover, but they were part of the wheel covers on my 2010 2350 that you have to line up on the lug nuts to reinstall the wheel cover.

Quote from: Joe R on March 16, 2018, 07:47:10 am

Mine is a 2007 and has the fake nuts. I used a pair of water pumps and tried wiggling the nut. The fake one will give a little and then just pull off exposing the lock nut. 

So one of the 8 fake nuts needs to be removed to access a hidden lock nut?  All these years on the PC forum and I never read that before.  I learn something new all the time.

I think Joe R may have followed the same (WRONG) path I did when first removing my wheel covers.
I have a 2006 2350 with the Wheelmaster Wheel covers. Each cover is held on by (4) retaining or 'fake' lugnuts. These are a chrome cover over a nut that threads onto the bit of stud left exposed after the wheel retention lug nuts are installed.

Still available new - https://www.etrailer.com/Wheel-Accessories/Wheel-Masters/WM168E0JC.html


The hard (wrong...) way to remove the retainer nuts is to pry off the cover, using pump pliers, exposing the nut. then use a socket to remove nut. Then the  lock nut covers dont install tight at all...    Yeah, took me a wheel to figure it out... 

The EASY (right) way is to look at the lug nuts on the wheel cover. You will see that (4) of them have dimples at the bottom. Using the 'T' handle tool (found mine in back..) easily twist off the (4) locking nuts to remove wheel cover.  That easy. If the t-handle is missing, a regular socket will remove the locking nuts. They are easier to re-attach with the T-handle, as it allows you to easily push in on the cover to allow the nuts to thread on.

As a side note, when I replaced my front rotors (discs) on the E350 doing a front brake job, the studs were just too short to engage the retainer nuts. I had to machine ~60 thousands (.060 inch) from the wheel retainer nuts to reattach the covers. They have worked fine ever since. 

Shown below are the wheel covers found on my coach. In one pic it is easy to see how (4) lugs hold the cover on. The other pic shows all the locking lug nuts that come with a set, and the tool to remove them.

Volk,   thanks for the clarification and pic's on the lug nut dilemma.   I also have a 2006 and have not had the wheel covers off, but have wondered what the procedure is,  without wrecking things.
Need to look for the magic "dimples" !

The wheel covers and experiences we have had on our 2014 2552 are identical to McDuck's. Including the rubber mallet.