I decided to recheck my center lugs after having the Porsche winter wheel set installed. I have quite a few Porsche documents about installing the center locks, the break down of the individual parts of the center lock bolt and all kinds of photos of checking the bearing surfaces to verify that proper contact is being made. These were very helpful to have.

So I put the 19 C4 GTS on the Quick Jack and went to work. Emergency brake was on for the rears. No problem. Applied with the recommended Castrol aluminum paste as needed. When I got to the front, I had something weird happen. The center lock nut separated. So I took off the outer half and was staring at a grooved surface and a snap ring. I thought some how this thing sheared off. I called the dealer and told the service advisor what happened and he talked me through the solution. The stiction in the center lock male cone and the female cone of the wheel was greater than the snap ring could resist. He said to pull the wheel off, get the cone and snap ring off. Clean as needed, lube as needed then put snap ring in the snap ring seat of the male cone and then push this into the center lock bolt assembly and work the snap ring around until everything seats. I did that and put the wheel back on and torqued per the Porsche 444#ft specs, loosened and then retorqued. No issues.

I asked the service advisor if he was a Porsche tech in a past life and he confirmed that he was. This was super helpful since it was 1:30 on Saturday and they closed the service department at 1pm. He said about 2 out of 10 center locks will do this.

I never read anything on RL about this bolt separation so I thought I would post this here in case someone has this happen and doesn’t know what to do. Hope this helps.

 

Did you take any pics? I think it would be helpful for others. I’ve been getting to know my first set of CL’s and they are definitely not as bad as some make out. I love the clean look of the CL’s. Next step I need to tear down the assembly regrease and reassemble. Do you have a document for this?

 

No pics were taken. My description is pretty clear if this ever happens to someone. And 1 of the documents I have shows the multiple pieces of the central bolt. I have a few PDF documents and it would be good if I emailed them to someone and they could be made available for others to use. Is there a way to get them stored on Rennlist somehow? Sticky?

 

What a pain!! I guess if you are tracking or simply love the look of the centerlocks its worth it. But for me, a non-tracking daily driver, so glad I ordered my GTS with 5 lug Carrera S wheels.

 

thank you for contributing to this thread. It’s not big deal, in case you are implying that it is. It’s great that you re happy with your 5 lugs. Peace.

 

I had this happen to me once. Like you said, it's not to hard to fix, but is a little unsettling at first.

 

Good PSA. Would never think that the lock ring could come off under normal use. Wonder why/how the tech removing and putting on the wheels did not see it.

 

As it was explained to me: when removing the central bolt there can be sufficient stiction or suction between the tapered male and female comes and that the snap ring can disengage. Its not unusual, nothing is broken and knowing what to do to reassemble is the key in this situation. Especially since many of us tinker with cars on weekends. I would guess that many folks don’t mess with wheels at home. Fewer of that group have center locks.

I contacted a moderator with request to make the info that I have a sticky. Will see if that can happen.

 

Thanks for posting-definitely “good-to-know” information. I had a nail in one of the rears just last week and took the wheel off my self. Having the right tool makes having center locks a non-event.

 

Thanks for this. This certainly would have been concerning to me if it had happened. Now I know what to do if it does.

 

I emailed a moderator the documents so that they can review and make them available to forum members somehow.

 

Here is an excellent parts and "how to" for CL. It's invaluable and from a GT3 rennlister: I have relied on it, as you will see when you review the link.

https://rennlist.com/forums/991-gt3-...l#post16086568

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/80j4xpkfc9...bible.pdf?dl=0

 

thank you!

 

[QUOTE=Jack F;16211190]thank you![/

you’re welcome