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alpina wheel center locks
Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 8:06 am
by drewjak
ive recently bought an alpina b3, and having trouble with removing the center caps of the wheels , the problem is the keys keep snapping or twisting , ive been to a local locksmith who assures me theres not much room for improvement on the lock side of things(as i wanted to try and put the same kind of locks the fruit machines use in ,with the circular key)
he said he can get the same locks no problem if i needed to drill them out but they`re £30 a time
,but that would`nt solve the problem of the keys snapping all the time!!!!
im sure this must be a common problem with these locks and was wondering if any one had found a resonable way to solve it .
Re: alpina wheel center locks
Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 8:37 am
by Alpina99
On my old E34 I used to have to push the centre cap in as hard as I could against the rubber seal while trying to turn the key otherwise as you say the key bends / twists,
Once you do have them off give them a good lubricating, i found mine were bone dry !
Don't know if that will help,
Re: alpina wheel center locks
Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 9:12 am
by BadDave
As above, you need to push the centre cap inwards before you turn the key.
It's also a good idea to make sure there's some lube on them.
Once you do finally manage to get the caps off, you can bend the tab slightly so they are easier to get on/off next time
Re: alpina wheel center locks
Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 5:48 am
by drewjak
cheers fellas, managed to get the other 3 off, gave them all a good clean off around the wheel recess and removed the rubber around the cap cleaned it all out and gave it a smearing of 3 in 1 oil right round and made sure the locking area had plenty of grease and the blooby things fly on and off now, think the lesson is to keep on top of them and keep them nice and lubed up.
thanks again.
Re: alpina wheel center locks
Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 9:34 am
by George
drewjak wrote:cheers fellas, managed to get the other 3 off, gave them all a good clean off around the wheel recess and removed the rubber around the cap cleaned it all out and gave it a smearing of 3 in 1 oil right round and made sure the locking area had plenty of grease and the blooby things fly on and off now, think the lesson is to keep on top of them and keep them nice and lubed up.
thanks again.
Lube is important. In many aspects of life.