I replaced the hubcaps on my Grabber today with a nicer set that are the brushed finish. I have a set of NOS trim rings on the wheels that I could not remove without damaging them. You can't get the hub cap off with the trim ring in place. I went around the wheel with a large screew driver just enough to get a claw hammer in there. I then worked the claw hammer method around the wheel until they came off. There was no damage, I got lucky. All 4 trim rings were very hard to remove. They made me sweat. I wasen't happy until I got the new stuff back on the car! I'm going to carry a claw hammer and a large screew driver in the trunk along with my 4 way. If I should get a flat tire, I'll never get the trim ring off with that tire iron without destroing it. I guess this was another lesson I had to learn!
Get one of these!, works great! Important Hubcap Tool to Prevent Damage [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] When installing a hubcap it is very important to place it on the car completely and evenly around the entire wheel. The only way to properly install your hubcap is with a special hubcap tool made specifically for this purpose. If you choose to install with your hand only, you will risk damaging your hand and take a chance that one more hubcap may fly off because of improper installation. This tool also comes with a wide extractor made to take off your hubcaps without cracking them. The price without any other purchase is $25 each, but with a hubcap purchase is only $10 each[/FONT]
I just take my trim rings off with a crow bar and it dosent damage them. Those must be some high quality peices if they hold on there real nice like that.
Another post count tactic ...... this one is funny though . I have two of them hubcap tools, they are a wrist saver and they get them stuborn caps off. Every suspension mechanic/tech should own one.