991.2 Centre-locking Nuts Issues

[T S Magnum]

As seems to happen to a lot with these, my 4-years-old centre-lock nuts were badly corroded.

I bought a second set of nuts from ebay (as new from Porsche are £800). I had these powder coated on the outer surface only. I then had the originals swapped for the refurbed items at a Porsche independent specialist.

Straight away a ticking sound started from the front offside centre-lock on large steering angles to the right.

I have had this looked at by OPC Newcastle and they now respond "the only way to be sure to get rid of the noise is new centre-locks and new wheels".

I asked why even the wheels need to be changed - "because you bought the car preowned, not from an OPC, you don't know the history of the wheels".

Has anyone had a similar experience please? Perhaps resolved without centre-locks and wheels replacement!

[Porsche911R]

I would not power coat anything it changes the metal due to the heat.

if it did not tick before, then buy some new centre locks nuts and bin the ebay powder coated ones and put it down to bad luck.

The ticking only happened with new power coated nuts, so it's not going to be the wheels.

it sounds like you have the org nuts, so fit them back on.

Edited by Porsche911R on Friday 19th June 15:46

[T S Magnum]

Fair point.

I will probably refurb the original nuts, but paint not powder coat (it does look great though!). Or bite the £800 bullet.

I very much doubt the issue has somehow 'spread' to the wheels

Also to note, it must be a minute level of tolerance as only one nut is affected.

Edited by T S Magnum on Friday 19th June 15:58

[arcamalpha]

Why not put the original (albeit scruffy) ones back on to see if it solves the problem and then go back to making them pretty?

[T S Magnum]

Would be hard to refurb them on the car I think. Risk of damaging the wheels.

I would swap just to see if it fixes and then swap over twice more if it was an easy job! I don't have the tools and don't want to purchase them just for this.

Think I might avoid centre-locks like the plague in future

[CorrosionInhibitor]

T S Magnum said:

Would be hard to refurb them on the car I think. Risk of damaging the wheels.

I would swap just to see if it fixes and then swap over twice more if it was an easy job! I don't have the tools and don't want to purchase them just for this.

Think I might avoid centre-locks like the plague in future

What tools do you need ?..
I have all the gear for your CLs, Just give me a shout and your welcome to lend.

Or I know a good mobile wheel guy that can come to you and sort.

[c4sman]

Ticking noise is a very odd outcome from changing CL unless the wheel is loose surely. who swapped them for you? Surely you could go back to them and ask them to check the car over FOC if they fitted the new nuts

Edited by c4sman on Friday 19th June 16:21

[T S Magnum]

CorrosionInhibitor said:

What tools do you need ?..
I have all the gear for your CLs, Just give me a shout and your welcome to lend.

Or I know a good mobile wheel guy that can come to you and sort.

Wow, that's a kind offer. I mean the large torque wrench, breaker etc.

Are you in the North East?

[T S Magnum]

c4sman said:

Ticking noise is a very odd outcome from changing CL unless the wheel is loose surely. who swapped them for you? Surely you could go back to them and ask them to check the car over FOC if they fitted the new nuts

Edited by c4sman on Friday 19th June 16:21

OPC Newcastle say it is a common issue with refurbed CL nuts. I don't understand why either

The noise remains after OPCN removing, checking, refitting the nuts so I am confident the fitting is now okay.

[CorrosionInhibitor]

T S Magnum said:

Wow, that's a kind offer. I mean the large torque wrench, breaker etc.

Are you in the North East?

No bother, yes there is breaker bar, torque wrench, wheel removal tool and also paste.

Yes I certainly am and proud of it..

[jcosh]

CorrosionInhibitor said:

No bother, yes there is breaker bar, torque wrench, wheel removal tool and also paste.

Yes I certainly am and proud of it..

Me and a couple of centre lock owning buddies are thinking of investing in the gear required to remove the centre locks. Are you able to advise or suggest what to buy. Ideally this gear would be able to fit in a 911 for road trips or taking to tyre shops for new tyres etc Ta.

[CorrosionInhibitor]

jcosh said:

Me and a couple of centre lock owning buddies are thinking of investing in the gear required to remove the centre locks. Are you able to advise or suggest what to buy. Ideally this gear would be able to fit in a 911 for road trips or taking to tyre shops for new tyres etc Ta.

i only followed what other guys had previously purchased and there are other examples out there but below is what i bought:-

breaker bar and torque wrench https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Precision-Instruments-C...

cl wheel removal tool https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-Centrelock-Whee...

paste https://www.design911shop.com/Castrol-Optimol-Past...

[T S Magnum]

c4sman said:

Ticking noise is a very odd outcome from changing CL unless the wheel is loose surely. who swapped them for you? Surely you could go back to them and ask them to check the car over FOC if they fitted the new nuts

Edited by c4sman on Friday 19th June 16:21

OPC Newcastle say it is a common issue with refurbed CL nuts. I don't understand why either

The noise remains after OPCN removing, checking, refitting the nuts so I am confident the fitting is now okay.

[c4sman]

I’m no master tech but something doesn’t feel right. Indie had no other ideas on the cause of the tick?

[T S Magnum]

Just got the car back from PCN after a frustrating chat with the guys there. They were understanding and helpful with advice etc. but I'm left fairly jaded by the situation.

Their position is that wheels and CLs must only be refurbed by a Porsche approved bodyshop. If either one is refurbed outside of the official 'system' you may end up with the clicking. I have found no mention of this in the user manual.

Again the only 100% solution they could offer was new nuts and wheels to the tune of £8k

[T S Magnum]

c4sman said:

I’m no master tech but something doesn’t feel right. Indie had no other ideas on the cause of the tick?

The ticking has only been since the indie swapped the nuts. It remains after PCN have refitted the nuts though.

[churchie2856]

Swap front wheels side to side. Yet keep the locks where they are.

If then tcking occurs to the left side (at large steering angles as you say) you know its the wheel. If when swapping the noise stays on the offside, its the nut or hub.

Just an idea.

[rbh]

Are you sure it’s not the Ackerman effect on full lock, which feels like a judder?

[c4sman]

CorrosionInhibitor said:

i only followed what other guys had previously purchased and there are other examples out there but below is what i bought:-

breaker bar and torque wrench https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Precision-Instruments-C...

cl wheel removal tool https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-Centrelock-Whee...

paste https://www.design911shop.com/Castrol-Optimol-Past...

Great choices.

PI torque wrench is well regarded but expensive (the only suitable torque wrench that fits in the car). I went for a massive torque wrench (Norbar 3/4" 5R Commercial Torque Wrench 300-1000Nm) for home use and rely on just a extendable breaker bar in the frunk for emergency removal and refitting. Total costs around £350 plus optimol grease. The other alternative is normal small torque wrench plus a Sealey torque multiplier but I don’t have personal experience of this.

[Cheib]

I should really get one as I’ve got two cars on CL’s...I am very lucky that my local tyre shop is excellent (people with nice cars travel a long way to use them) but that doesn’t help if I’m away and am certainly intend on doing some road trips later in the year.