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rheostat removal

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ceedub

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As part of a rebuild of my '73 MGB I have come across a seized panel light rheostat. How do you get the knob off the rheostat to remove the part. There is a metal pin in the knob handle but I can't get it to do anything to help the removal. If I cannot breathe any new life into this rheostat can it be bypassed because I see that they retail for over $100 which is more than I want to spend on that part.
Thank
Cheers,
Ceedub
 
If it is like my Midget, the metal pin in the knob is pushed in while the knob is pulled off. I really don't understand why they used a rheostat, since it only goes from dim to dimmer to dimmest.

You can bypass it if you want. $100 seems like a lot of money for something you don't need. You can probably get one to fit in at some of the electronics parts suppliers for a lot less. TO bypass it, there are two twin lug terminals on the rheostat with one lead to each terminal. Move one connector so both are on the same side.

Mike
 
MGB works the same as the Midget. You can bypass it and leave the switch in place if you want the original look....or you can remove the switch and use the hole for something else. My '78 has the manual choke in that location now....
 
Thanks. I think that I'll try the bypass route and not even try to remove the part because I think the pin must be seized as well. I would like to retain the original look as much as possible.
Cheers,

Ceedub
 
$100! WOW, I've gotta raise my prices on a used one!
 
I got a correct new one for a TR3A from eBay for 10 bucks. It was listed as a Rolls Royce part... no other bidders, maybe no other lookers. I don't think Rolls owners troll eBay much.

Those knobs can get really married to the shaft after many years. Pentrating oil and hair-dryer heat may help. I've pried them off before using a scary amount of force before they would move.
 
Rollie used a lot of the same bits as the rest of our LBC's, They were just Lucas parts repackaged in those pretty grey/red boxes and priced through the roof.

If you use CRC's "2-26" and *patience* it can be done. Careful with geneic penetrant products: they can melt and fuse the knob/spring clip beyond redemption.
 
I just soaked it with something like WD 40, sorry can't remember the exact product. It took a few days. I gave it another shot whenever I checked it. Thought, what do I have to loose. Could get the knob off either.

I now have a working rheostat.

Good luck.
 
Small Victories!

With progress like that you'll have a "jewel" in no time!
 
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