Locking wheel centre cap jammed

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MadMax
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Locking wheel centre cap jammed

Post by MadMax » Wed Jan 18, 2017 11:27 pm

I can't get one of my locking wheel centre caps off - the lock is sized/ won't unlock.

It's been soaked with WD40 and tapped a bit to try to free the lock but to no avail (yet).

Is this a common issue? Any ideas on what could be done before I have to drill the lock and seek a new centra cap/disc?

Thanks in advance.

Max
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Post by Charles » Thu Jan 19, 2017 12:45 am

Have you tried pushing the cap in towards the wheel as you try and turn the key?

It may be that the locking arm is very tight against the wheel and by pushing the centre cap might give enough clearance for the lock to turn.
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Post by simon13 » Thu Jan 19, 2017 1:03 am

also try and spray the wd40 in the gap around the gap between cap and wheel, only takes a tiny bite of corrosion to make them stiff.

Heat gun aswell often helps get things moving. Anything before drilling as thats expensive to replace!
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Post by MadMax » Thu Jan 19, 2017 10:56 pm

simon13 wrote:Anything before drilling as thats expensive to replace!
Indeed - my feelings exactly :shock:

Thanks for the ideas - I try them all.

Cheers
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Post by ABRAD » Fri Jan 20, 2017 2:06 pm

Just do what I did and order a new set of locks and keys - as soon as they arrive the old ones started working fine!!!!!!

Not had any further issues for the last 2 years, but have kept the spare set just in case. (Let me know if you need to buy a set as I work in Chesterfield)

It's as if they know!

On a serious note mine just jammed after I'd taken it of the car - it started working as I'd started loosening the backnut that holds the lock barrel onto the cover - might help, but you have to get the cover off the car in the first place.

Good luck.
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Post by MadMax » Sat Jan 21, 2017 8:35 pm

ABRAD wrote:Just do what I did and order a new set of locks and keys - as soon as they arrive the old ones started working fine!!!!!!

Not had any further issues for the last 2 years, but have kept the spare set just in case. (Let me know if you need to buy a set as I work in Chesterfield)

It's as if they know!

On a serious note mine just jammed after I'd taken it of the car - it started working as I'd started loosening the backnut that holds the lock barrel onto the cover - might help, but you have to get the cover off the car in the first place.

Good luck.
That sounds just like my kind of luck - I'll give another go tomorrow.

Might be back to you for your locks :roll:

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Post by sean7997 » Sat Jan 21, 2017 9:22 pm

Same thing happened to one of mine, after trying for a while i drilled it out and replaced it. Now i have 3 other spare locks, i could only buy them in a set.
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Post by MadMax » Mon May 01, 2017 11:56 pm

sean7997 wrote:Same thing happened to one of mine, after trying for a while i drilled it out and replaced it. Now i have 3 other spare locks, i could only buy them in a set.
Any chance you might want to sell a barrel and key to a fellow suffere?
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Post by Chas » Tue May 02, 2017 11:47 am

I've had a similar situation in the past and wished I had four hands to do the necessary - two to push the lock in and two to turn the key.

I'd suggest it's unlikely the lock has seized. Much more likely that the locking tab has corroded against the center rim making it very difficult to turn the lock. Spraying the lock mechanism with wd40 won't make any difference in this case.

You have to visualise what's going on behind the cap and take Simon13's advice on how to free the tab. Getting someone to help push the cap in as you turn the lock will also help.

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Post by MadMax » Tue May 02, 2017 11:04 pm

Chas wrote:I've had a similar situation in the past and wished I had four hands to do the necessary - two to push the lock in and two to turn the key.

I'd suggest it's unlikely the lock has seized. Much more likely that the locking tab has corroded against the center rim making it very difficult to turn the lock. Spraying the lock mechanism with wd40 won't make any difference in this case.

You have to visualise what's going on behind the cap and take Simon13's advice on how to free the tab. Getting someone to help push the cap in as you turn the lock will also help.
I can imagine that, knowing how the lock operates. Will have to try bribing a mate to lend a hand for the price if a pint. I wonder if a bit of a tap with a smal punch and the persuader on or around the lock might work too.
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Post by Toasey » Wed May 03, 2017 5:13 pm

Or maybe one of these would do the trick:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Alpina-wh ... 2195205894?
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Post by Titch » Thu May 11, 2017 7:23 am

Had the same issue but purchased one of the tools. It worked wonders. The locking arms are definitely corroded. Once off, give a good old scrub and lubricate well before reinstalling. :D
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Post by shaziman » Fri May 12, 2017 12:09 pm

2 people, 1 with a small bit of wood, the other to turn the key.

The first person, place the wood in the centre of the cap and hit with a hammer. DO NOT allow the wood to slide on the cap, it will damage it.

The second person, try and rotate key and keep constant pressure on the key.

As the impact works on the cap, the key will slowly rotate until the tab is free of the corrosion.

Once off, clean the tab and wheel, place copper grease on the tab before refit and it won't happen again.

Purchase the tool the presses the cap in before removal to assist in future and remove them frequently to prevent this issue in future!
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