Heater knobs won’t stay on...

[Chet Zerlin]

Hi all,

I removed the heater knobs by pushing in the pin to release them. But now I can’t get those pins to go into those holes in the knobs to again lock them on.

Suggestions please?

Thanks!
Chet
100-6

 

[steveg]

Are these the same knobs, or new ones that might not fit?

If same knobs, use vise grips to pull the cables out and grip them in the open position. Then attach knobs.

 

[Chet Zerlin]

I’ve tried both the new ones I bought and the old ones I took off with the same result. It seems like the curved metal piece does not sufficiently tension the pin so it doesn’t push it sufficiently down into the hole to lock it in.

 

[red57]

With needle nose pliers you may be able to re-bend the spring clip in place as in the picture. Put your thumb or a finger on the left side of the clip to keep it in place while you bend by twisting the pliers.



Or you can move the needle nose grip to the left (of where it is in the picture) and, with a twist, pop the spring clip out and re-bend and then re-install. It will give you a chance to clean any rust/dirt out of the pin & hole and it will spring back in place much better. Be gentle when you bend, it doesn't take much to get some spring tension on the pin. And be careful to not loose the pin, it will fall out loose when you remove the spring clip.

I don't think anybody sells replacement spring clips or pins .

​

A light smear of lithium grease will help it work smoothly when you put the knob back on.
​

Dave

 

[Chet Zerlin]

Thanks Dave! That's really helpful...especially the pictures.
I'll check it out when I go back to my shop on Monday.