My Knob Won't Move, height position lever?

[Philcee]

What is wrong when my (new) SM height control lever won't budge -so how do I change a wheel? Am I doing something wrong? When I try to move the lever, lifting the knob, it seems fixed, immobile: is something wrong?

By the same token my roof won't budge: I've followed instructions, moved the clutch and inserted a hex key in the hole. I get a quarter turn back and forth but that's all. Is there an easy way?

[noz]

Hi Philcee,

No, you're not doing something wrong. Depending on where the car has been stored and how often the lever has been previously moved it can become stuck. The lever operates on a pivot approx 15mm diameter. The hole in the other part of the lever is just a clearance hole to go around the pivot. Therefore, when a film of rust grows between the two surfaces it can become stuck.

However, the fix is relatively easy. If you look under the car to the drivers side of the central exhaust box you will see the opposite end of the lever which is in the cabin. There is a 10mm A/F bolt fixed to the centre pivot point of the lever where the two rods, one going forward, one going backwards, are joined. Undo the bolt and release the control rods from the lever. Clean up all of the parts with emery paper and grease liberally. Reassemble and voila, fixed.

The accessibility of the bolt is dependent on the exact position of the central exhaust box. If it is closer to the drivers side then access to the bolt is difficult. It is much easier if the exhaust box can be pushed out of the way or better still, temporarily removed all together.

Let us know if you need any more help.

Cheers

noz