Spare wheel cover removal

[pan-al]

Before getting under the van is it an easy job taking off and replacing the spare wheel cover.

[TONYT25T25]

I have recently removed mine and because it had probably not been removed for some time, it was a bit of a chore as the pivot bits had rusted up.  Give this area a good clean with a wire brush and soak with releasing fluid such as plus gas or similar, these are held in place at both ends by a clip which sits in a groove but can be prized out, but be aware they do ping when released so put something below them to catch them.  After the releasing oil has had some time to work, work the cover up and down a few times, you should then be able to prize the rod holders out or even tap them out, the rods can then be removed from the front of the body by rotating them.

[Mocki]

Top tip here, tie a short guy rope of cotton round the r clip so when it escapes it only goes as far as the end of the Cotten ! ( yes , too many bit lost when playing with vans in grass fields , if only there was a tip for not loosing 10mm sockets )

[silverbullet]

syncro diff lock rollpin removal/refitting tip:

When doing any fiddly job, lay out an old dust sheet or big light coloured towel to catch the tiddly bits when they escape

[TONYT25T25]

The front of my garage has pea sized shingle which is where I do most of my vehicle repairs, not flat either so have to balance things, most annoying part is that even dropping a screw/bolt just blends into the shingle, that along with biting ants adds to the joy of working underneath. Have got one of those extending/telescopic magnetic lights which sometimes locates the dropped item as long as I have a rough idea of where it fell.

[pan-al]

Thanks everyone much obliged.

[aknapper]

I had no problem with the cotter pins.  But getting the mounts out of their holders was a right pain in the a$$.  A lot of plusgas needed as they were rusted in.  I eventually used a hammer to whack and release and then pull out.  Took longer than expected.