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Topic: Removing Wheel simulators 1988 (Read 281 times) previous topic - next topic
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Removing Wheel simulators 1988
My 88 G-30 has original simulators (16.5 wheels)All the exposed lug “ nuts” are just dummies, and don’t detach. It has two round-headed fasteners that I’m guessing are the real attaching devices (circled in photo). Any clues how to remove these simulators?
EDIT: I never noticed before it has the LD "logo" on center caps !! They look better in photos than in person
I try not to break the rules but merely test their elasticity.  '88 22RL converted to Rear Dinette
Re: Removing Wheel simulators 1988
Reply #1 –
Hi Bob; I don't know much about GM, but... Those pins sticking through the wheels are to line the duals up a certain way. They prevent the inner and outer dualies from being aligned, except one way.  On my Kaper II wheels, 6 of the fake nuts had flanges at the base. Two didn't have the flanges and had real jam nuts inside. Not to be confused with real lug nuts and not torqued as high.  If not tight enough, those could disappear at the wrong time.  Someone in the past years may have replaced those two with real lug nuts, like Greg evidently has. Same thread, and be able to remove them. The problem is being able to tell which two are the ones to release the simulator.  I would tap on them. The hollow fake ones should sound different that the ones firmly fastening the wheel cover on.  Or you can try turning them with a wrench. Ones that turn at all are the fake ones.  The ones that don't turn are the real ones. They should be 180 degrees apart... opposite each other.  Look for scuff marks on the real nuts. 
     If indeed all of the nuts are fakes, I would expect that the cover stays on by friction fit around the edge. Try prying the cover off with an appropriate tool.  Surely somewhere online there would be a description of the proper method.  Haven't you ever removed a cover before in the last 35 years?   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Removing Wheel simulators 1988
Reply #2 –
Circled Knobs are wheel guide pins for the wheels to set the Air stems.in the correct positions.
The covers are held on by the lug nuts.
Pull the nut Covers.
Jack up the axle.
Remove the lug nuts.
Remove cover.
remove hub cap.
Remove wheel.
It all comes apart.


Rodney
1988 Mid Bath
Re: Removing Wheel simulators 1988
Reply #3 –
Thanks Rodney;  Finally someone with the same year. Is your MB also on a GM chassis?  Greg's Ford wheels are the same, and all of the lug nuts hold on the SS wheel simulators.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Removing Wheel simulators 1988
Reply #4 –
Quote from: rodneyhelfrich  - 
Circled Knobs are wheel guide pins for the wheels to set the Air stems in the correct positions.
The covers are held on by the lug nuts.
Pull the nut Covers.
Thanks, Rodney- I didn't want to start prying on 35-year-old nut covers without knowing what I was doing!
I try not to break the rules but merely test their elasticity.  '88 22RL converted to Rear Dinette
 
Re: Removing Wheel simulators 1988
Reply #5 –
Two of the eight nut covers are not attached to the simulator - they have little indentations on the side that allow them to grip the nuts underneath. you need to locate them and carefully wiggle them off - LD provided a special tool for this, but a pair of slip-joint pliers can be used. When you unbolt those two lugnuts, the simulator comes off.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit