The Official 356Talk Forum

Lars, let us know how those VW caps work out.

Illustration below should illustrate the early rubber cap and the shape of the metal grease cap common Pre-A thru B.

I believe the rubber cover was used on the left wheel only, T2's. Purpose, to seal water out of wheel bearings.

Gerry McCarthy wrote:I believe the rubber cover was used on the left wheel only, T2's. Purpose, to seal water out of wheel bearings.

The 356A parts catalog says there are two 356.41.427 "Rubber cap for grease caps" per car.

By the way, PET doesn't show the metal caps but the hardcopy 356A parts catalog lists:

• 356.41.453 "Grease cap - front wheel, left"
  356.41.454 "Grease cap - front wheel, right"

Those don't look like VW parts numbers.

Hello, I am trying to get the caps off my 62 356B on the front. The left front has a pin in it and the right does not. Should I buy a pair of large vice grips and pull from the center out to remove? (trying to unlock all the wheels on this project) - thank you

The "pin" is a cotter pin holding the end of the speedo cable; remove it first.
I generally use a large pair of Channellock pliers across the diameter and pry that way.

David Langone wrote:Hello, I am trying to get the caps off my 62 356B on the front. The left front has a pin in it and the right does not. Should I buy a pair of large vice grips and pull from the center out to remove? (trying to unlock all the wheels on this project) - thank you

No.

I believe the "pin" in your left front is most likely the speedometer cable. Remove the cotter pin (PET says it's 900.021.006.00 roll pin 2 x 10 but cotter pins work).

If Vic says it's OK to use Channellocks, it's OK.

The other method is to put a 3/8" socket extension bar or the shaft of a BIG screwdriver across the groove at the base of the grease cap and tap it with a hammer, rotating the wheel. The factory shop manual actually shows a really big door stop instead of a rod.