16" Allow Wheels

[Ivor_E_Tower]

There is a special tool clipped to the wheelbrace to remove the centre trims - it's like a large jewellery ring, with a bit sticking out that has a bent bit on it too. It fits into the fake allen bolt heads and you then pull strongly to unclip the wheel centre trims. It is not very clear in the handbook, and there is no sticker or anything to alert you of its presence by the wheel changing bits and bobs. All 4 wheel centres on "my" Gal had been butchered by the first owner/servicing garage(s) before I bought it. Ideally I would buy 4 new ones. Just spent Saturday with a tin of silver paint touching up scratches and scuffs on the wheels and the centres. They still notice, but not so bad now. Wonder how the paint will stand up to brake dust and "Wonderwheels"?

 

I suggest you have a work with your garage's service manager - they should have been aware of the special tool to remove the wheel centres.

[Guest warnerj]

Yes thanks for that - I should have read page 2 of the messages in this thread and I would have noticed that!!

 

I just looked at the tool and it is basically a hook and so I tried putting it in one of the holes. But it seems to bend the cap on the side I'm pulling from - I'm a bit nervous about pulling too far as it feels like it may snap the cap.

 

Have you actually used it? Will the cap bend quite far before it comes off?

 

Thanks again,

 

Jonathan

[seatkid]

Will the cap bend quite far before it comes off?

My cap has two holes at the edge. The correct way to use the u shaped hook is the engage it in both holes and then use the wheel spanner inserted through the hook and lever against against the tyre wall.

 

Don't worry, the caps are quite tough and shouldnt break - If pulling by finger - you need to give a good old yank. (prepare to fall backwards though B) )

 

:lol: Those tossers in the garage were too idle and used a screwdriver :lol: Even then, they evidently twisted the screwdriver instead of lever so gouging your wheels/caps in the process. :P

 

Changing tyres on an alloy wheel is stressful too - stand over the fitters shoulder and be a pain to ensure minimum damage..

[Guest warnerj]

Hi,

 

I thought I'd let you know the outcome of my damaged wheels from the Ford garage (see earlier in this thread).

 

The dealer arranged to have my car for 2 days (whilst giving me a loan car) so they could replace the centre caps and get the damged areas of the alloy wheels cleaned (painted included).

 

But I received a call from them last night to say they couldn't get the exact paint colour to match the wheels and so they had decided to order me a brand new set of wheels!!

 

I took this opportunity to see if I could have the 17" wheels (as my tyres are due for a change in 2000 miles or so) and pay the difference but they said they'd already ordered them and couldn't change the order. Not to worry.

 

But I think the dealer has been fair and they are allowing me to keep the original wheels as well!!!

 

So I could either sell the old set (slightly chipped 2 years old) or the brand new set. What would you do? Would there be somewhere that would exchange the brand new 16" wheels for a better or larger set? Or should I just keep them until I sell the car and then put them on the car to give it more appeal?

 

Anyway I'm grateful to the dealer. Ford garages are run by people after all - and in this case I think although they caused the damage, they've been quick and helpful in sorting the problem.

 

Cheers,

 

Jonathan

[Richmond]

Flog the new ones! Sod's Law states that if you keep them, you'll damage them within 10 mins, and who cares what the wheels look like? You can't see them when you're driving (unless you're in real trouble).

[MrT]

Oh sh1t, I have just checked mine and I can see that my centre caps have been levered out. I will never be able to prove it was the garage.

 

What is the best paint laquer for touching up Galaxy alloys?

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Don't know about the lacquer but I touched up the scratches on mine (centre caps and wheels themselves) with some Humbrol silver model paint that I have left over from my days of assembling car kits. The colour match is not good, but it looks better than the dark coloured scratches! So far it is standing up to the weather and brake dust OK.