There was a previous thread about hub cover removal I which a poster came up with a method that worked for him. It involved a bungee hooks and modified ratchet strap I believe. I needed to remove the covers on my 450. I straightened out the bungee hooks in short order, so I tried the much heavier ratchet strap hooks. They would not fit into the slots, so I opened them up a bit. I then attached a short piece of strap and put a 40" bar through and against the bottom of the tire, and pulled mightily, numerous times. No Dice. I jerked it but good. Nada. Out came an 8' 2x4. I pulled like crazy. My wife said she could not believe how much I distorted the tire. Still nothing. Now I'm really getting determined, maybe a little mad. Success at last. Three more to go, all with the same difficulty. It might just be a good idea to remove them before you really have to. I wiped some lubriplate on the "sockets" so maybe they will come off easier next time. Have not reinstalled them yet, so we'll see what happens down the road.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I doesn't sound a pleasant thing to have to do in the middle of a snow storm.

 

I was the guy having a hard time with the F-350 dually covers and I used the bungee hook / ratchet strap method with success. I had to use the bungee hooks because like you found, the ratchet strap hook doesn't fit in the opening.

I actually attached one end of the ratchet strap to a non-moving stationary object (in my case, a fork lift) and then gradually ratcheted them off. It was more and more tension until it suddenly popped off. Fortunately, the bungee hook didn't bend. But you have two more lug nuts then me! Are there still only 6 "fingers" holding the hub cover on? Or are there 8? Mine only had 6.

Now that they have been off, I can insert the hook and just yank hard with the strap and off they come.

 

8 fingers! I suspect that many owners have never removed theirs! But come to think of it maybe I should not have sold my forklift either.

 

I think there is a tool that comes with the truck that removes the wheel caps. Here a video of EPICCOWLICK using the tool.

 

There is a tool that comes with the truck; it doesn't work. Epic's truck also is not a dually, and the trim caps are not the same. Finally, the tool in Epic's hand is not what comes with the truck.

 

That tool is serious high tech. If you want one too, just heat the tip of your worst large regular screwdriver until it glows, clamp in in a vise and smash the tip over 90 degrees. Quench and Waalaah! Everyone should have one!

 

Although, that just might be the tool that was used on my truck when the dealer buggered up the cap real good.