Heater Knob Modifcation

[artscot79]

Dont buy new ones just carbon wrap the scored ones

[Ianb]

I'd recommend buying new ones, even if you want to carbon wrap them. I lost one of my old ones, and then the others just started going one after the other. The plastic clip bits on the back become more brittle over time snap off easily. I went around with only 1 on for ages, looked stupid.

[Lenny]

Thanks Lenny

its always good when some else comments on your work, it makes the job worth while.

I actually have a full tin of copper grease in the toolbox I must grease up the face of the hubs and the bolt stems now that you mention it. let me know about the wheel nuts as I think when they loose the covers they take away the look of the wheel. also going to order new center wheel caps as I'm missing one at the back and some are scored.

Thanks mate.

no problem mate,

I had the same trouble with my ford nuts,

The cap spun on the nut rounding it,

I got a flat blade screw driver and hammer,

Put the screwdriver in the top centre of the nut.

Tap of the hammer to puncture the cap

Then pull off

The nuts were then 18mm so I bought a set of 1 piece steel nuts on e-bay with mcgard locking nuts,

No trouble ever again

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290839427037?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

My original Ford 19mm wheel brace has been warped due to the aluminum cover on one of the nuts slipping on removal,

Result warped the shape of the brace and rung the nut,

Ill get a picture of the brace for you aswell.

If keeping the capless nuts go to Halfords and buy yourself an 18mm Socket because the 19mm socket barely grips them and will eventually ring the nuts leaving them bonded on your car,

Here are some pictures of the standard supplied 19mm Ford wheel Brace,

Notice on the left side of the brace it is warped out of shape, caused by the aluminium cover on the not slipping out of place when removing a Genuine Ford nut complete and utter excrement.

As result I've had to purchase a solid cast iron wheel brace to replace the Genuine Tubular Steel one ford supply,

[Ianb]

They're caps?

[Lenny]

They're caps?

there a non removable cap,

Well supposed to be non removable and give the impression they are 1 piece solid steel 19mm nuts,

When in actual fact they are cheaply manufactured aluminum nuts with a brushed aluminum sleeve covering the hollow centre. Removing the sleeve makes them 18mm nuts then the supplied wheel brace slips off them under pressure thus ringing the shape,

There as soft as cheese not hard as steel,

Ford are not the only company using these nuts though,

Ive saw them fitted to:

Volvo, Skoda,

Volkswagen,

Nissan,

Toyoya,

Renault,

[Jay87]

Those look nice painted, hopefully can get round to doing mine soon, is it best to use a tin of paint or spray?

Would my car be alright jacked up whilst I paint them or is it best using axle stands?

[Lenny]

Those look nice painted, hopefully can get round to doing mine soon, is it best to use a tin of paint or spray?

Would my car be alright jacked up whilst I paint them or is it best using axle stands?

having painted using a brush on four cars to date,

Im now all in favour of masking around the calipers and spraying them to be honest.

I used the spare wheel jack and lay the removed wheel half way under the chassis frame close to the jack,

This way if the jack ever fails it will land on the wheel.

[Jay87]

having painted using a brush on four cars to date,

Im now all in favour of masking around the calipers and spraying them to be honest.

I used the spare wheel jack and lay the removed wheel half way under the chassis frame close to the jack,

This way if the jack ever fails it will land on the wheel.

I think I'd rather spray them, just got to mask everything up good, I guessing coats could go on quicker too.

I haven't got any axle stands anyway so glad the jack would do, hopefully the wheels come off and go back on ok after reading above. Haven't took a wheel of my car yet, I've had all new tyres on 2 separate occasions though in the last 2 years, So hopefully should be ok.

[sonic113]

Thanks Lenny for the information and the pics.

I will see whats funds are floating around and may pick up a set sometime.

they would need to last at that price lol!