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MG MGF Technical - Heater control knob tickler: how do you get 'em off?

A broken heater control knob has triggered a rather insane purchase of a set of BRM alloy items. Very nice. Alarmingly expensive.

Don't ask.

The broken fan speed control knob was easily removed and replaced. The remaining plastic knobs however are proving to be somewhat more stubborn.

Anyone got any suggestions? I had a quick glimpse of the workshop manual whose expansive prose had this to say on the subject: "4. Remove heater control knobs."

Thanks.

No amount of tugging or judicious levering had any effect....

Help!
Rob Bell

Mate, you forced me walking to the garage.
Have the control thingy just in my hands now.
Outer black frame removed. (we spoke about tht frame the other day)

Alarm ECU off.

The knobs base under the perspex like material is bigger then the hole. No chance to just pull, but also remove the sticker/clear cover before.

I pull here and there and look and turn and can't see any bolt or clip at the perspex frame with the black sticker.

Down to the cellar and to the workdesk.
No, no fear not the hacksaw !!;)

Back soon..
Dieter
Dieter Koennecke

update... *with success*
No bolt under the black sticker ;)

Error regarding above mentioned doubts:
Knobs lower diameter is the same diameter as the sticker.

Mate, if you do not need the old knobs later, then use a gripper to the knobs grip and pull like mad.
They come off then.

Picture to follow.
Dieter Koennecke

OK, here we are ;)
http://www.mgfcar.de/heater/knob_cp_1153.jpg
Knob axle is a standard 'C' half cut 6mm shaft. A spring inside the knob clamps to the shaft.
http://www.mgfcar.de/heater/knob_cp_1154.jpg

Option for own lathe works:
Shaft top in the assy is flush to the surface.
Milled 'C half cut' is on the right vertical if the shaft is in left idle position.
Outer knob shaft diameter must be below 13mm
Height (clamp depth) is maximum 18mm
Outer diameter at the surface of the black sticker is 33mm.

HTH
Dieter
Dieter Koennecke

Thanks Dieter, you're a star! :o))

I'll give it a go with a pair of pliers then
Rob Bell

Hehe he sure is Rob!
:-D

Hanah Kim

Dieter, that plastic heater fascia, if it's not damaged, and have no use, can I have it? Or sell it to me cheaply?

Thanks. Mine is scuffed after 3 dash removals for fixing cross-member beam. :(

Hanah Kim

Mate, that spare facia is already sprayed in PTS colour. I'll install at any time myself and keep the other for later sale of the car.
Anyway, I know about some more guys breaking up MGF currently and I'll ask them for availiability.
Dieter Koennecke

Dieter, the pliers worked a treat. I've taken a pic of the BRM heater controls and will post 'em on the web page soon :o)
Rob Bell

Thanks Dieter,

The fascia I was refering to is where it has blue / red heater signs and air flows etc. [The bit you don't get to change when you do MK1 to MK2 conversion unless you can course the heater panel)

How did you paint it PTS??? Maybe you are talking about a centre console..?
Anyway... please let me know!

Thanks

Hanah Kim

This is very helpful, cheers Dieter - I was thinking about getting a set of Mike's chrome heater controls, and was going to post and ask if the original ones just pull off. I've made a few experimental attempts at pulling them, but to no avail, so I guess the pliers are the answer.

Am I right in thinking then, Dieter, that there is no need to remove any of the surrounding panel?

As always, this BBS is so helpful that my questions are answered before I've even asked them!

Diggers
Diggers

I'm getting the control knobs later this week so the posting was particularly welcome. Thanks Rob. If I have a problem I'll bring a pair of pliers on Saturday to let other have a go :0)


Tim
tim woolcott

Nothing needs to be removed Diggers. The knobs just pull off.

I rather like Mike's alloy items - they clip on top of the existing control knobs. I didn't go for these for two reasons (not including insanity):

1. One of the existing knobs was broken anyway - so the clip on ones would not have been of help
2. Because they clip onto the existing knob, they are slightly over-sized, partially obscuring the legends on the control fascia.

The Rover BRM ones perform the job perfectly. They look and feel great, but for the money, so they should... gulp!
Rob Bell

No problem Tim - see ya there. :o)
Rob Bell

FAO Hanah,

I'm sorry, misunderstood you.
So you reffer to what I called 'sticker' (It is a black selfadhesive sticker) on the clear + white plastic part.
As drawn here ?
http://www.mgfcar.de/heater/knob_cp_1153.jpg

*g*, Errr, have a look to the right hand side of the hole where the knob was :( ... Section above the 'man with downwards arrow'.

Do you see the delamination of the sticker surface ?
No longer nice looking part. I think mine is for studies only (IMO)
Dieter Koennecke

i have fitted the brm's heater knob's to my tf that took some working out,as you say they look great & look factory fitted.......
p atherley

Rob.

So do you mean I just have to slip the new MS control knobs over the old ones....?

Tim
tim woolcott

... not from Rob, but it is as you wrote.
MS ones is just slip over the existing knobs.
BRM is pull off the old and replace.

HTH
Dieter
Dieter Koennecke

Dieter that's right. That's the part I wanted. The sticker.. :)

But that's ok.. I will live with it! :-D

Cheers... but yes, that's the right item.

Hope things are going well for you.

Where can I see Rob's new knobs? Do you have a photo yet Rob?

And... how is the exhaust installation going? Still too busy?

Hanah
Hanah Kim

As Dieter says Tim, the MS ones simply slip on over the existing ones - nice bit of design.

Hanah, not uploaded the pix yet - but will do shortly.

Not yet fitted the exhaust - the replacement tail pipe finishers arrived yesterday, so "game on" this weekend :o)
Rob Bell

Sweeet! Been waiting so long! :-D
Both of us! So I will guess I should be able to get it by my next holiday?! That is at the end of August. That would be great...
Hanah Kim

Some pix uploaded - will post more as I develop this page, and take some better images of my car's interior...

For the moment, see http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/brm_concept.htm
Rob Bell

I dunno Rob, all that money on BRM heater knobs (And just why did I change my BRM for a ZR?! trying to correct that error!) and rumour has it, you've got a plant pot for a cool air box.

When you get an Elise, will it be a "Busy Lizy"! ;o)
Chris

<chuckle> no plant pot - a Rover 820 airbox Chris ;o)

Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 10/08/2002 and 16/08/2002

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