In preparation to refinish my BBS wheels, I wanted to break the centre caps down into their componant parts. The aluminium lattice part was corroded, and on the silvered “nut”, the finish was worn down. I couldn’t find a Mazda=relevant write up for this; instructions for other BBS caps seem to involve circlips that weren’t present on mine. So I had to make up my own method.
This is the type of cap; this is the type fitted to 15" factory BBSs. I think its the same as the cap fitted to 14" BBS wheels. Non-Mazda BBS caps might be different
And the backside:
On mine, despite it coming from a 1996 car, the parts of the centre cap are “Japan”, “Germany” and “West Germany”, despite West Germany ceasing to exist not long after the Berlin Wall came down/
Easy bit; push the tabs to release the “BBS” centre. Work carefully; the plastic on these caps is getting old, and more brittle. It might be a good idea to warm things, either in warm water, or with a hair dryer.
Cap removed. Note the 3 long tabs; if you look carefully, they appear cracked. They’re not; its just a mould line.
Now price the outer ring away a bit; it won’t come off at this point
Now you can get a screw driver in to seperate the “nut” section. While levering the screwdriver, push on the 3 long tabs on the other side.
Now the centre nut comes off
The “inner ring” can be removed by fairly obvious tabs.
All the centre cap parts laid out
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52521557@N06/sets/72157626009458631/
Now I’m looking for ideas how to finish the wheels (on a Montego Blue car). Originally was thinking the usual bronze/black:
(with apologies to Gareth)
But now the kernal of an idea has been planted in my head of painting them white
Thoughts, comments?
