changing wheels...little black plastic piece question

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Nov 26, 2005 | 05:56 AM

alm70

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changing wheels...little black plastic piece question

I was putting my snow wheels on yesterday and I snapped that little black plasic piece you thread into the threads when changing a wheel so all the holes line up when putting the wheel back. Hopefully you all know what I'm referring to?

Can't get to the dealer until Monday and there is no guarnatee they would have the part. Does everyone always use this piece that comes with the spare tire kit? I was able to put my wheel back on without it. Not impossible, but not sure I want to do that 3 more times. Anyone have any tricks? Or should I just wait an get one at the dealer and hope they have it?

thanks in advance...

Nov 26, 2005 | 06:18 AM

Press

Fear the Miata!

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From: Chicago

you should be able to just line up the wheels and screw in the lugs......

the "ladies aide" as I call it can be more of a pain to use.....getting the wheels on without it shouldn't be that tough.....

Nov 26, 2005 | 06:28 AM

Grapeking

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From: Northern NJ

like DH said, just do it without the plastic piece... I never use it either.

Nov 26, 2005 | 06:29 AM

4Driver4

Tech Guru

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I've seen the plastic piece, but never used one. Don't bother replacing it, but...

if you do, just buy a long metal bolt and cut the head off it. Better and probably cheaper.

Nov 26, 2005 | 07:11 AM

GBW

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I started using this piece after I painted the brake calipers....

It helps line it up and minimizes any change of chipping the caliper paint. I never used it before, although now that I've used it, I wished I used it before. It does help line everything up when you're mounting the wheel.

More importantly, I coat the surface where the alloy meets the disk with synthetic brake grease so the wheel doesn't fuse to the disk (dissimilar metals), and I need the dead blow hammer to get the *&amp

^% thing off.

Nov 26, 2005 | 07:24 AM

Grapeking

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From: Northern NJ

excellent reminder!

Nov 26, 2005 | 09:18 AM

RLG

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Never used it

If it helps, you can always get some wheel studs from someplace like <a href="http://2bennett.com" target="_blank">2Bennett</a> and never have to deal with it again.