Community Forums

boeingair · 08-03-2013, 08:10 AM

Does anyone know how to remove the chrome wheel covers on the front wheels of a National Dolphin? I tried prying them off and they seem to be attached in the center somehow. I didn't want to bnd them so I didn't apply to much pressure. They do not have teeth around the outer rim like a car wheel cover.

Thanks,

**CLIFFTALL** · 08-03-2013, 08:14 AM

There's usually two( fake ) lugs that have a dimple in them that come off with a lug wrench.

bkb · 08-03-2013, 08:27 AM

If you are talking about the center moon then just pry gently around the edge and it should come off.

clyon51 · 08-03-2013, 08:36 AM

Mine had me scratching my head a few weeks, back when I got the Dolphin. Cliff is right on, 2 of those fake lug nuts actually unscrew to expose the real ones, holding the cover in place.

Skip426 · 08-03-2013, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clifftall

There's usually two( fake ) lugs that have a dimple in them that come off with a lug wrench.

Not quite correct , if you have Dicor , Versa Liner Simulators , there will be lug nut covers with dimples in them , you pry those covers off then , remove the retaining nuts that are underneath.

To make sure this is what you have visit
www.dicorproducts.com
Search
Versa Liner Simulators
and download the installation instructions.

clyon51 · 08-03-2013, 09:33 AM

This is what National used on the Dolphins and other models. With fake lugs in place and removed.

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Dunner · 08-03-2013, 12:11 PM

Mine are the same and it came with a special "T" handle wrench for taking them off.

BFlinn181 · 08-03-2013, 12:54 PM

To remove the chrome lug nut covers, a tool like this is available: Specialty Products 83788 Chrome Lug Nut Cover Tool
You could do the same with vinyl tape on the jaws of channel lock pliers. Under the two lug nut covers that come off, (the rest are built into the hub cap) you'll find a lock nut that is slightly larger in diameter than the rest of the lug nuts. I don't remember exactly on my 19.5" wheels, but I believe it's an 1/8th inch bigger than the lug nuts. If they have that black center like clyon51's photos, they are defiantly Dicor products. https://dicorproducts.com/catalog/wheel-products/

Dunner · 08-03-2013, 01:01 PM

I may be way off base, but I think some of you are needlessly taking the chrome cover off the lug nuts. With the proper wrench, you don't have to take the fake dimpled covers off the nut. There's a real lug nut under the one that holds the decorative cover on.

donhoward49 · 08-03-2013, 01:13 PM

I use a 1 9/16 socket on a breaker bar to remove the two dimpled nuts.. Do not try this on the other nuts. 6 nuts are for looks only, 2 hold the ring on the wheel..

Dunner · 08-03-2013, 01:22 PM

The dimpled ones only need to be snug.

BRB - going to take a picture on my supplied wrench.

Dunner · 08-03-2013, 01:35 PM

Don, you must have some big nuts. My beauty ring nuts/wrench are 1 1/8"

clyon51 · 08-03-2013, 04:16 PM

National RV used Dicor, which makes many models and the actual mounting of the cover depends on the chassis mfgr. As far as Ford and Workhorse, they are all the same. You just place the cover over the 8 lug studs while aligning the valve stem. Then you have 2 nuts with covers (do not remove) and simply screw them on. Much different on Gulf Streams, Dutch Stars and others.

boeingair, You can safely ignore posts 3, 5 & 8.

Ramblin · 08-03-2013, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boeingair

Does anyone know how to remove the chrome wheel covers on the front wheels of a National Dolphin? I tried prying them off and they seem to be attached in the center somehow. I didn't want to bnd them so I didn't apply to much pressure. They do not have teeth around the outer rim like a car wheel cover.

Thanks,

Just did mine. Three of the lugnut covers will pop off revealing three extra lugnuts. Remove those three lugnuts and the outer cover will come off. The large inner cover is held on by the real lugnuts. You have to remove the lugnuts to get it off.