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 .
alpina wheel center locks
Moderator: martauto
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,
Once you do have them off give them a good lubricating, i found mine were bone dry !
Don't know if that will help,
Gone, but not forgotten !!
-
BadDave
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 6012
- Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Nr Aberdeen.Scotland(Gods country)
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
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
Alpina B10 3.2L #187 (1 of 64 brought into the UK)
2.8L turbo build thread(work in progress)
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 27#1268227
2.8L turbo build thread(work in progress)
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 27#1268227
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.
thanks again.
Lube is important. In many aspects of life.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.
Sold: 1986 E30 325i Cabriolet, Alpine White
