Getting my wheels off! (hub cover)

[biggiles]

I've ordered some new Pro-tech suspension from Julian at TCS - looking forward to seeing those!

But I've been hit by an unexpected problem... how do I get the wheels off?

There's a hub cover over the bolts holding the wheels on. (I have a new-shape '97 500). There's a photo of the wheel here: www.flickr.com/photos/grcm/160720143/

My car came with the spare wheel, but no jack or anything else. The hole in the hub cover looks like it takes an allen key or something, but the sizes I have to hand didn't work. Can someone tell me (PM if necessary) what tool I need to get to the bolts underneath? I understand those are simple bolts, without fancy locking nuts.

Also, while I'm on the topic, does anyone know who does four-wheel geometry tracking near Shaftesbury/Gillingham, Dorset?

[Al 450]

You get a special security tool with the car, well you do if you have the Griff Estorils. I suggest you call a local TVR specialist.

[dadamsv8]

Where are you based i'm in Kent so if not too far happy for you to pop round and borrow the tool. Failing that try the local dealers or classifed on here or ebay lots of people have changed theirs for the leven replacement so must be lots of spare original tools out there

[biggiles]

Thanks Dave and Al.

I move around a bit for work (normally London), but the car is in Wiltshire... so a bit of a trek from Kent I'm afraid! I'm also not sure when I will have the time to do the work, so it will be some time over the next month. Thanks for the offer though.

Can anyone say where I can buy the tool? Did someone say Screwfix had a toolkit which included the tool (I can't find mention on the Search page though).

If someone could supply a photo (obv. not showing any "secret" key bits) then perhaps it might job my memory... cars often come with little bits of metal floating around which I could have shoved in the glove compartment or a box somewhere...

Thanks in advance!

[biggiles]

Thanks to Paul in my old university town, this should be resolved now- he's kindly posting me a spare key.

I'm glad I didn't find out all this while trying to change my spare wheel on the side of the motorway!

[mongoose]

There are three different types of security screw which hold the front cover to the Estorils.The TVR one has two slots,if you dont have the special key,they can usually be removed with a screwdriver.For this reason Leven developed different ones(which dont rust either).On the older original leven ones,they have a torx/spline type fitting,and on the later ones an allen key fitting.In an emergency,you might be able to undo the earlier leven ones with an allen key if your lucky.It sounds like you have one of the Leven types.
I put a refence on here recently to Screwfix,this was for a kit they sell to remove locking wheelnuts,when the original key is not available,cost £20ish.

[biggiles]

mongoose, I looked at the Screwfix kit, but it's only for locking wheel-nuts- I thought the car didn't have those?

I can't actually check though until I can get behind the hub covers.

Could you look at the picture and see if it is the type you suspect?

4 pics: www.flickr.com/photos/grcm/tags/wheel

Thanks!

[mongoose]

biggiles said:

mongoose, I looked at the Screwfix kit, but it's only for locking wheel-nuts- I thought the car didn't have those?

I can't actually check though until I can get behind the hub covers.

Could you look at the picture and see if it is the type you suspect?

4 pics: www.flickr.com/photos/grcm/tags/wheel

Thanks!

I cant find your picture on that link,sorry.
A little mis-understanding i think.I was trying to help you identify which hub cover securing screw you have.As you also mentioned someone recently refering to Screwfix,i thought i would enlighten you as to why this was soNot all cars will have locking wheelnuts,yours may or may not depending on previous owners wishes.

Edited by mongoose on Tuesday 11th July 11:26

[The Surveyor]

Giles

It does sound like it could be one of the Leven ones, in which case the one i'm sending may not be the one you need. Nothing lost for trying though

Paul

[biggiles]

Paul,
It should be possible to tell from the picture's shouldn't it?

I gave a link above, and also this one: www.flickr.com/photos/grcm/1607201

Mongoose cannot for some reason view the pictures, but they work for me here on 2 machines.

I should be able to check if the tool works at the weekend though- and can always post it on to the next person!

Giles.

[mongoose]

biggiles said:

Mongoose cannot for some reason view the pictures, but they work for me here on 2 machines.


Giles.

I just get a homepage,where i need to put in id etc

[biggiles]

Whoops- although I checked on two computers, I must have logged in to flickr on one of them previously... the photos hadn't been set to "public". Security getting in the way!

They're now public and should be visible by all. 4 truly exciting pictures of wheels.

[Else]

mongoose said:

biggiles said:

Mongoose cannot for some reason view the pictures, but they work for me here on 2 machines.


Giles.

I just get a homepage,where i need to put in id etc

Mike, Does this help

[mongoose]

Else said:

Mike, Does this help

Cheers Andy,theyre definately Leven ones,but i cant see enough detail to tell which.

Off topic:-Andy,did you get your car dyno'd at Joos' after?It was you who went from a H404 to a stealth wasn't it?

[else]

mongoose said:

Else said:

Mike, Does this help

Cheers Andy,theyre definately Leven ones,but i cant see enough detail to tell which.

Off topic:-Andy,did you get your car dyno'd at Joos' after?It was you who went from a H404 to a stealth wasn't it?

No not yet, had a bit of a problem with oil surge on a trackday, done a lot of work on handling and brakes, which meant a rebuild at V8D. Just got it back last friday and still running in.

I'll be at back home on Sat/Sun, if you're there i'll give you the gory details.

[biggiles]

Else, thank you for putting those pictures in there... will have to learn how to do that!

Mongoose, the links to flickr I gave earlier should now be working- I fixed them about the same time "Else" uploaded the pictures to this thread. You can see the pictures in much more detail (click "other sizes" on flickr.

[mongoose]

biggiles said:

Else, thank you for putting those pictures in there... will have to learn how to do that!

Mongoose, the links to flickr I gave earlier should now be working- I fixed them about the same time "Else" uploaded the pictures to this thread. You can see the pictures in much more detail (click "other sizes" on flickr.

As best i can make out,that looks like the allen key version to me.

Else,not going to back home i'm afraid,our next TVR event is the Griff Growl.Could you let me know how you get on,when you get it on the dyno please?Cheers both,Mike

[else]

mongoose said:

biggiles said:

Else, thank you for putting those pictures in there... will have to learn how to do that!

Mongoose, the links to flickr I gave earlier should now be working- I fixed them about the same time "Else" uploaded the pictures to this thread. You can see the pictures in much more detail (click "other sizes" on flickr.

As best i can make out,that looks like the allen key version to me.

Else,not going to back home i'm afraid,our next TVR event is the Griff Growl.Could you let me know how you get on,when you get it on the dyno please?Cheers both,Mike

Mike, Ok Mate.
(sorry for the thread hijack)

[biggiles]

Well, you've both been very helpful, so I can probably allow a quick hijack here or there!

So it looks like an allen key is the tool to use... I will try to have a go asap. Without risking the security of our P&Js, can someone PM me with specifics of the key if there are any?

Also, Paul, when your tool comes through I will see if it fits; if not, then I will keep it safe until someone else needs it. If anyone needs it, email/PM me.

[The Surveyor]

Giles

It was sent yesterday, so hopefully it'll land soon.

Paul