Centre locks and punctures

[Eleven]

Hi All

I've just got a car with CLs and anticipate my first puncture shortly.

My local OPC won't repair tyres and in any event I don't really want to have to rely upon their 5.5 day per week availability.

What does everyone else do?

[m33ufo]

Easy to remove. You just need a suitable torque wrench and maybe a splash of Castrol Optimol TA when you're refitting.

I don't anticipate a puncture any time soon but still like to be able to remove a wheel.

[Eleven]

m33ufo said:

Easy to remove. You just need a suitable torque wrench and maybe a splash of Castrol Optimol TA when you're refitting.

I don't anticipate a puncture any time soon but still like to be able to remove a wheel.

I am thinking of buying the Precision Instruments breaker bar and torque wrench set from the US. Was it you who imported one?

[m33ufo]

No, not me. I bought s slightly more expensive Stahlwille but the good thing with the one you're purchasing is that it'll fit into your bonnet space.

I couldn't envisage a time where I'd want to remove a wheel by the side of the road.

[Eleven]

m33ufo said:

No, not me. I bought s slightly more expensive Stahlwille but the good thing with the one you're purchasing is that it'll fit into your bonnet space.

I couldn't envisage a time where I'd want to remove a wheel by the side of the road.

The plan would be to get the car recovered home and do it there. I can at least remove a wheel 7 days a week and more importantly get a puncture repaired as opposed to buying a new tyre.

[m33ufo]

Definitely worth having even if you only want to clean the wheels properly

Don't forget the Optimol TA.

[Eleven]

m33ufo said:

Definitely worth having even if you only want to clean the wheels properly

Don't forget the Optimol TA.

Is the brake pusher essential or can it be done by putting the car back on its wheel before torqueing?

[m33ufo]

Only needed for the fronts if you're doing the job alone.

[chrisABP]

Eleven said:

Is the brake pusher essential or can it be done by putting the car back on its wheel before torqueing?

I imported one of the Precision Instruments torque wrench / breaker bar sets and its a great piece of kit. Brake pusher only essential if you're billy-no-mates as someone sat in the car with foot on the brake pedal is best plan.

IMPORTANT - both removing and re-torqueing the centre locks has to be done whilst elevated and under no circumstances with the weight of the car sat on the floor.

[Eleven]

chrisABP said:

Eleven said:

Is the brake pusher essential or can it be done by putting the car back on its wheel before torqueing?

I imported one of the Precision Instruments torque wrench / breaker bar sets and its a great piece of kit. Brake pusher only essential if you're billy-no-mates as someone sat in the car with foot on the brake pedal is best plan.

IMPORTANT - both removing and re-torqueing the centre locks has to be done whilst elevated and under no circumstances with the weight of the car sat on the floor.

Great, thanks Chris.

I have ordered one of the PI sets off Ebay tonight.

[Sandy59]

Get yourself one of these for starters : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-380421-Tyre-Rep...

If you're stuck in the middle of nowhere and the hole is in the main tread, this will get you moving again without any tools in about 10-15 mins.
I've had to use mine once and it worked great for 100 miles with no press loss whatsoever. I later saw the repair from the inside and could see why it worked so well.

There is a disclaimer that it's only approved for off road use to be fair, but handy for an emergency and doesn't take up much space.

[Eleven]

Sandy59 said:

Get yourself one of these for starters : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-380421-Tyre-Rep...

If you're stuck in the middle of nowhere and the hole is in the main tread, this will get you moving again without any tools in about 10-15 mins.
I've had to use mine once and it worked great for 100 miles with no press loss whatsoever. I later saw the repair from the inside and could see why it worked so well.

There is a disclaimer that it's only approved for off road use to be fair, but handy for an emergency and doesn't take up much space.

Purchased. Thank you.

[Sandy59]

Eleven said:

Purchased. Thank you.

Note that you'll need to ensure best access to the hole for the tool, so try and rotate the wheel to a good position before it goes completely flat if possible, rear is obviously more tricky than front but I managed ok.
Of course I hope you never get a puncture in the first place.

[cdixon]

Sandy59 said:

Get yourself one of these for starters : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-380421-Tyre-Rep...

If you're stuck in the middle of nowhere and the hole is in the main tread, this will get you moving again without any tools in about 10-15 mins.
I've had to use mine once and it worked great for 100 miles with no press loss whatsoever. I later saw the repair from the inside and could see why it worked so well.

There is a disclaimer that it's only approved for off road use to be fair, but handy for an emergency and doesn't take up much space.

Great find ! I've just ordered one also.

[m33ufo]

I've had experience of using these on a GTR tyre a few years ago. Not as easy as you might think. Mine was definitely a wheel off job and even then hard work.

[Sandy59]

m33ufo said:

I've had experience of using these on a GTR tyre a few years ago. Not as easy as you might think. Mine was definitely a wheel off job and even then hard work.

There are probably different but similar looking kits. I can only go by this one which took me about 5 minutes to insert the plug with the wheel rotated to an accessible position, then about 10 mins to inflate the tyre. Maybe I was lucky first time but it didn't seem too complicated, just a bit awkward. I think they work best with round holes from a nail/screw etc.