How to Properly Remove Wheel Caps on an Audi TT Mk1

2000 Audi TT Mk1 Center cap removal

Ever notice the small gouges on you rims around the wheel caps? This typically happens when you get one of those inconvenient flat tires in the middle of the night on a lonely road.

This is caused by not reading your owners manual in which it explains the proper removal technique of your wheel caps (fig. 1).  The first instinct is to grab the flathead screw screwdriver located the trunk/boot of the car(fig. 2). I advise not to use any type of screwdriver of prying device, because located right next to the screwdriver is the proper tool for this operation (fig.3). Two things can happen if you pry from the edge of the cap. First, and most obvious, is scratching off the paint on your rims. Secondary is the probability of breaking some internal plastic tabs off during the process.

The proper removal procedure is as follows:

  • Look in the trunk for the wheel caps puller, it looks like the number #6 or #9 with a little bent piece at the end
  • Insert into any one of the holes that look like hex nuts around the cap (fig.4)
  • Pull straight out, cap will pop right off with no damage or scratches (fig. 5)

To reinstall:

  • Inspect the removed one and check for broken tabs, replace if needed (fig. 6)
  • Align the fake nut pattern with each center spoke, there are notches on the back site that match with the center part of the rim
  • Make sure that the tabs will go into the center on the inner hub
  • press evenly at the center of the cap and it should pop on
  • Avoid start with one side then the other, this can cause damage
Audi TT Mk1 Wheel cover
Figure 1. 2000 Audi TT Mk1 wheel covers – Notice the scratched around the edges.

 

Removal located in with the jack in the trunk.
Figure 2. Removal tool located in with the jack in the trunk.
Figure 3. Close up of the center cap removal tool

 

figure 4: cap removal properly inserted in cap.
Figure 5 – Removed cap with a replacement due to broken tabs

 

Figure 5. Notice the 2 broken tabs

 

Figure 6. New Replacement cap next to the broken one

1 thought on “How to Properly Remove Wheel Caps on an Audi TT Mk1”

  1. How can we restore the alloy wheels on a 2002 audi TT. There are a few spots on each wheel
    Near the tire that seem to have lost the clear coating. Those areas have unsightly oxidation likely from road salt. This is otherwise an excellent condition TT convertible. My best friend inherited it from his Dad. The car has huge sentimental value to my friend. Purchasing 5 replacement wheels is likely not in his family’s budget as he is sending a daughter off to a top tier college next month. He also wants to keep it all original as his dad was the only owner.

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