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For those of you who have this cool tow hook (i have black),
Is WD-40 the only solution for the rusty-ness? Mine got rusty less than 5 days after i bought it.
ALSO, is there a solution for having it position horizontal / straight-aligned, because with mine twisted all the way in.. it stays crooked looking. I'd have to let it hang loose just to have it appear straight.
I read about the constant having to spray wd-40 to keep it un-rusted.
I have found that in my lifetime its good to re-think things a bit. I learned early that WD-40 as nifty as it is, it not a good lubrication or protector of Metal.
It IS however a great Cleaner, if you put it in perspective it makes since..
so now to your issue and solution.
1) Heavy Grease: Purchased at any Auto store used for Chassis lubrication and holds up great to the elements.
2) take it off when not at a show or track.. really its for towing! NOT going! although I completely understand that it looks great.
3) Use a Silicone spray to coat it again get this at Auto parts Store or Home Depot
4) hardware store has plastikote ask for it or look for it take tow hook apart and address problem areas it comes in different colors and is for painting outdoor furniture with a spray-able plastic coating the one Im refering to is rubberizing Coating.
As for the position I have not a clue.. (Oh wait ! I just thought of something I used to do) Accept to place a washer just smaller than the thread and JB weld it on the end of it when you find the right spacer( washer) ( FYI use stainless so it wont rust in the cavity if your gona leave it there for a long time or through rain and wash).. this will take trial and error till you find the right washer for spacing it at the back .. then just JB weld that little sucker on there and there you go..
I assume this ordeal for you is similar to my Rolex situation, Where, for the life of me I just cant get my adjustment STEM, with the Rolex Crown Symbol stamped on it, to sit in the UP position when fully tightened .. I have to back it off of fully tight to make it sit there.. which breaks the water tight Gasket under it Completely defeating the purpose of the gasket for the sake of my obsession in fashion its frustrating I know .. to pay money for something and then still have to fix it..
Good luck with your adventure in correcting the Mass produced instruments of an Obsesive compulsive persons, General Anxiety disorder. and possibly the destruction of mankind by the complacent, money hungry, dyslexic engineers who create these items.
Glad, and I hope that does help you. One point of Clarification: J.B.Weld is a Chemical Compound (much like Epoxy Glue) its been used successfully for years and years for bonding Metal when actually Arc welding or Tig welding is not possible or to costly.
Its cheap, you can get a small tube of it for your purpose for about 6.00 at the local auto parts store. its a two part, so you mix it like epoxy. place some on the washer and some on the end of the tow hook and mash em together, you could use a vise/ clamp to hold the washer in place and run a bead of J.B.Weld around the outside diameter of the washer and a dab in the middle to hold it ... you can also dremmel the stuff pretty easy if you get too much on.
Gorilla Glue also works mighty fine. but i think it cost more and takes more time to set up then J.B.Weld
Oh, you should see the hornets nest I opened up this weekend (I.E. my Bonnet)...I'm NOOB when it comes to MINI so I'm behind the power curve here on Knowledge. (Ignorance is not bliss its a freakin headache)
well lets just say the previous owner really did a job on her and its gona take some serious knowledge and alot of wrenching and TLC (money) just to get her back to par, let alone doing great..
I think Ill start another thread about the whole process just to vent..LOL
have a great day.
S.P>
FYI: I just realized your in Houston.. I'm around 1960 area north side.I'm sure I will see you around at some point. happy motoring
also stay away from the Gorilla glue then. cause this Houston heat will melt it again into the cavity and you may end up with a permanent tow hook :(
you could also get "loctite" threadlocker which you can take off if need be. there are a few different types for different purposes. http://www.loctiteproducts.com/produ...ID=10&SubID=48
take a look at that site. i would recommend the red one, as that would be the last one to vibrate loose. but to remove the hook, you would have to apply heat. but for a permanent hook, it would be ideal .
__________________
'04 IB/W MCS w/all the goodies, Ian's auto-up/GDO, MMC#I69/MID CURV169; power folding mirrors
"You can't save the world unless you're willing to make other people sacrifice." - Dogbert, via Pendergast
I learned early that WD-40 as nifty as it is, it not a good lubrication or protector of Metal.
if you put it in perspective it makes since..
) Accept to place a washer just smaller than the thread and JB weld it on the end of it when you find the right spacer( washer) ( FYI use stainless so it wont rust in the cavity if your gona leave it there for a long time or through rain and wash).. this will take trial and error till you find the right washer for spacing it at the back .. then just JB weld that little sucker on there and there you go.. 
.. I have to back it off of fully tight to make it sit there.. which breaks the water tight Gasket under it Completely defeating the purpose of the gasket for the sake of my obsession in fashion its frustrating I know
.. to pay money for something and then still have to fix it.
. 
