Both my front tires have the black plastic piece missing from the IROC center caps. I would like to get new caps, but first would like to know how to get them off. Do I just pry somewhere, or take the tire off?

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86' IROC-Z
5.0L TPI
Stock(for now)

 

If the "IROCZ" writing is missing and all you are left with is the black remains of the center cap, you can just punch a hole through it and pry it off. (what I did)

Alternatively, you may be able to remove the wheel and punch it out from the inside ( I don't really know on this one)

The first suggestion worked fine for me.

 

Vinnie is right. If you dont care for them, just punch them out. If you take the rim off the car, you simply push them off with ease from behind the rim.

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1989 IROC-Z 5.7L

 

Assuming it's just the center caps, which I could be wrong they should just pop off.

 

The Iroc caps are very fragile. See if you can get the emblems and glue them on the cap while its still on the wheel. Each time you remove the cap you've shortened its live expentancy.

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Drew
The lone Thirdgenner of the Apocalypse
predatorman@hotmail.com
My Website
87 Iroc
91 Formula 14.3@98mph
91 RS Convertible
91 Firebird V6
92 S10
98 Grand Am GT

 

Well, actually, I thought it had the black piece and then a thin metal piece underneath. Cause that is all that is left, is the shiny metal piece that has IROC-Z engraved into it.

 

Dont ask for an explaination but the rear wheels on my iroc had the silver metal layer, the front ones don't. Maybe GM made some years different, maybe the emblems fell off differently, maybe they're actually different. Couldn't tell you for sure, but i've seen em both ways on the same car.
Here's a pic of the car with one black cap and one with the silver tin.

FWIW I've seen several iroc's around here without the emblems and almost always the rear have the metal and the front dont.

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Drew
The lone Thirdgenner of the Apocalypse
predatorman@hotmail.com
My Website
87 Iroc
91 Formula 14.3@98mph
91 RS Convertible
91 Firebird V6
92 S10
98 Grand Am GT

[This message has been edited by Drew (edited January 17, 2001).]

 

So is it safe to pry or shove a screwdriver through it and pull the cap off? Another Q, is there a special way to get the new caps on?

 

I wouldn't suggest prying or making a hole in the cover... if you want to do it right pull the wheel and push it out from the backside. Personally I wouldn't suggest removing the plastic cap at all. Reinstalling the cap is simple, just line it up and snap it in place.

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Drew
The lone Thirdgenner of the Apocalypse
predatorman@hotmail.com
My Website
87 Iroc
91 Formula 14.3@98mph
91 RS Convertible
91 Firebird V6
92 S10
98 Grand Am GT

 

The insert is actually quite delicate. Should you wish to remove it so that it's reusable, remove the wheel/tire, and from the backside, you'll see that the insert has 'prongs' which keep it in place. Shoot a bit of lubricant around the outside of the insert, then gently push/punch it out. These are expensive to replace and the 'prongs' are broken easily, so you might consider simply glueing the new cap to the insert. I believe two different sizes were made--85-87 and 88-up. I believe the cap/insert combo may be as much as $40 per from GM.

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[This message has been edited by JamesC (edited January 17, 2001).]

 

You can buy the whole replacement part for about $20 from thirdgenresource. I think they sell 4 caps for $60 as well.

The genuine part replaces the "irocz" writing as well as the black "holder" that keeps it in the wheel.

I have heard you can just buy the replacement "irocz" and glue it onto the "holder", but I don't know about this.

 

You can purchase the IROC-Z cap separately from the insert.

JamesC

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