Need advice on removing chromed bolt inserts from waffle wheels.
 

I have a 1980 RX-7 with the13 inch, aluminum, four bolt “waffle” style wheels which have chromed inserts in the wheel stud bolt holes. I want to remove the chromed bolt inserts so I can refinish the wheels. I thought these could be easily removed by pushing them out from the back but that is not the case. Before I start pounding on them (using a piece of 3/8 pipe inserted through the back of the bolt hole) does anyone know the proper way to remove these inserts? Are they shrink fit into the wheel or are they just stuck in the wheel due to 30+ years of galvanic corrosion? Appreciate any advice or experiences on removing these inserts.

i would say they're pressed in but can't be for sure as i've never owned a set. there's a thread where a member(t_g_farrell) in NC refurbished his. i don't think he removed those inserts. i'll point him here.

When I repainted my + wheels I just masked those off. Unless you have serious oxidation going underneath the edge I wouldn't worry about removing them. Probably a lot more hassle than it's worth.

Unless the chrome is really in bad shape, just strip the wheels as you normally would
and then hit them with some fine steel wool and they will shine up like new. I
wouldn't go trying to pull em out if I were you.

My sig has a link to thread I did on refinishing my waffles. It may help you out. Make
sure to post before and after pics. We like to look at pictures :D

Are you working on a set of gold waffels that came on the LS's?

Yes exactly. I have a Solar Gold 1908 LS, original owner, 60K miles all original.

A 1908, that is an early build car! Seriously, you have the most rare of the LS colors with only 500 of the 2500 total LS's being done in Solar Gold. And the original owner to boot, another rare and dwindling club! Welcome and post some pic's when you can. Hopfully, your spare is in good shape and you can use it to match the color with.

Those inserts are pressed in I believe. I've attempted to remove them before like you are thinking but they are in there solid. I did not want to beat on them excessively or damage anything so I ended up just leaving them in place. Stripping the wheel shouldn't damage them and they can be polished up to look good. DD (Divin Driver) here even applied a home brew plating process to his, to deter the corosion that likes to build up between the inserts and the lugbolts.

I'd strip down the wheel, then polish up the inserts, inner and outer rim lips then mask off those areas and repaint the gold. Works best if you can de-mount the tires. How's the rest of the car? LS specific parts are rare but not (yet) impossibile to find.

Oh WAY to go Banzai - I was going to suggest he go the easy route and just sell the LS to me...
;)

OK, plan B: since masking these are a real pain, would THIS work: find rubber/nylon/metal washers that match the diameter of the chrome insert, place them over the insert, run a bolt thru front-to-back to mount them firmly over the inserts. Follow up with masking tape around the edge, which you have now RAISED up enough to grip the tape (I recommend that green FROG tape btw as it seems to prevent paint from leeching into the seams) and sealing the gap btw the washer and the insert.

As banzai sez, there is an issue with corrosion building up btw the edge of the insert and the wheel alloy beneath. perhaps using one of those really fine-tip sand blast nozzles (they are used for cleaning things like spark plug tips I believe - I have seen them on Eastwoods site) will allow you to etch out the corrosion?

Banzai, Drivin'Diver and t_g are the restoration pros here so I bow to their experience. My expertise has come from just keeping my Goldies all sparkly.

And yes PLEASE post some pics of the LS! And...*ahem*... should you ever want to part with her, may I be near the top of your list? (seriously...)

cheers
Stu Aull
80GS
Goldie waffles
Alaska