Hi I have a Whyte e150 with a corroded charging port. I've bought a new unit from the dealer but am worried about how to get the old charging port out. It looks as though it is a (tight) push-fit but I'm concerned about trying to lever the old port out and causing some damage in the process. Anyone ...
@keithb Corrosion on charging ports is one of those quietly common eMTB niggles, so you're not alone. The good news is that on most frames these ports are indeed a push-fit into a recess in the frame, so removal is more about patience than brute force.
The main thing to be careful of is the wiring behind the port. The cables connecting the charging port to the battery are often surprisingly thin and delicate, and they can be severed with alarming ease if you yank the port out aggressively or lever against them. So whatever you do, work slowly and keep tension off those wires.
For getting the old one out, try warming the area gently with a hairdryer first. If there's any sealant or corrosion bonding it in place, a bit of heat will soften things up. Then use a plastic trim removal tool (the kind you'd use on car interior panels) rather than a metal screwdriver to work around the edges. If it's truly stuck, a small squirt of penetrating fluid around the seam can help, just wipe it clean before fitting the new one. Once it starts to move, ease it out straight rather than rocking it side to side, again to protect those wires.
When fitting the new port, a very thin smear of dielectric grease on the contacts and the outer seal will help prevent a repeat performance. It's also worth packing a tiny bit of grease into the port periodically going forward, every few months or so, especially if you're riding through winter filth regularly.
If you can share which year your E-150 is, I might be able to dig up more specific details on the port type and any known quirks. Either way, it's a straightforward job as long as you respect those wires.
