Lexus LX 450 Wheel Center Caps
The Lexus LX 450 is a rugged SUV with a luxury interior that can stand up to off-road terrain. If you’ve lost a wheel center cap, replacing it with an OEM part will help preserve the original beauty of your Lexus.
Why should you replace the center caps on this Lexus?Wheel center caps are important on any vehicle but especially on SUVs. If you drive your Lexus LX 450 through mud, snow, or dust, all that grime ends up being tossed onto the wheels. Even city streets have their share of water and dirt. The center caps help keep the hub nut and wheel bearings free from these sorts of contaminants.
The second purpose for the center caps is to improve the appearance of your vehicle. They fill in the center of the wheels to give them a finished look and provide a subtle way to showcase the prestige logo of the brand.
How many center cap styles are there for this Lexus?The Lexus LX 450 was only manufactured for the 1996 and 1997 model years. The same cap style was used for all the units, although there are two color variations.
If you want to be absolutely sure that you get the factory cap for the LX 450, you can check the part number. This is found inside the back of the cap. You can take off one of the caps that is still on the vehicle, get the number, and have it handy while you’re searching.
What does the Lexus LX 450 center cap look like?The cap for this SUV is 5.75 inches in diameter. It has a flat face with sloped, knurled sides. It’s a plastic cap that is painted silver. There’s an etched Lexus emblem in the center of the face. The only variability in the caps is that this emblem may be either silver or gold, depending on the model and trim package of your LX 450.
How do you replace Lexus LX 450 center caps?To remove the center caps, you must first take off the wheels. The caps can then be punched out from the back. You can try to pry the caps off from the front if you like. This is usually not successful with this vehicle, and it’s easy to either scratch the center caps or break off the retaining clips on the back. It’s better to just bite the bullet and take off the wheels.
The new cap can be installed from the front of the wheel. Position it over the hole in the center of the wheel and push until it snaps into place. They usually fit tightly, so you may have to give it a couple of sharp raps to get it fully seated.