Thanks for responses, all.  I'll follow the advice below.

Chris Radcliffe
chris_radcliffe@mindspring.com
'90 Westy Auto "Blue Whale"

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of harald_nancy
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2002 10:54 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: AFM black plastic cap removal - Nervous

Chris,
Use a sheetrock knife blade or something thin and sharp
and cut into the silicone to break its bond on the metal as much as
you can from below around the perimeter of the plastic cover.
Then use a flat screwdriver and push the cover up, starting at one
corner, and working your way around.
Appy a gentle but steady force, so not to break the plastic, but
gently breaking the silicone bond.
Try to avoid prying between the metal and plastic, because that
could break the plastic cover, and in that case, you might have
to buy a new AFM.
If you apply a gentle but steady force, the silicone sealant should
come loose.
Harald
'90 westy

Chris wrote:
Subject: AFM black plastic cap removal - Nervous

> AFM experts: basic problem, getting the black cap off.
>
> I'd like to investigate the mild hesitation that has just started with my
> Westy, including peeking into the AFM to check the tracking surface and
> maybe make the capacitor fix while I'm in there.  But even the slightest
> pressure with a pry tool at any point around the lip of the black cap
makes
> it turn light grey-brown, indicating that it's very brittle and ready to
> snap (instant plastic-fatigue).  I *am* being very gentle, and have tried
at
> various points around the perimeter, as the recent email and archives
> indicate.
>
> Any recommendations?  And, has anyone totally blown it and deformed the
cap
> to the point where they had to replace it (and with what)?
>
> Thanks,
> Nervous Air Fool Meter
>
> Chris Radcliffe
> chris_radcliffe@mindspring.com
> '90 Westy Auto "Blue Whale"
>