Locking Lug Nut help
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 134
Locking Lug Nut help
My new 71 conv came with one locking lug nut on each front wheel. These are the kind that use a "special" key. The guy I bought the car from lost the key.
Anybody got any ideas? These are not the lockable type with the ends where you can blow them off with an impact wrench, but are the rounded style where you can't get a wrench on the nut.
Help!!!!!!!! :cry
Anybody got any ideas? These are not the lockable type with the ends where you can blow them off with an impact wrench, but are the rounded style where you can't get a wrench on the nut.
Help!!!!!!!! :cry
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
Re: Locking Lug Nut help (Ed T)
I have one of those keys sitting here on my desk. I removed the locking lugnuts and I was going to put the set up on ebay but never bothered to. If you want the key, drop me your mailing address.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 49,198
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From: All in!
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'10
Re: Locking Lug Nut help (Binnie77)
They key shouldn't match. Each should be close to one of a kind...otherwise you'd just have to go buy a key to steal someone's wheels...
As for getting it off, I've heard people say they've pounded on sockets and gotten them off that way. I have also heard that some places will chisel them off (for a large cost). I also wonder if vice grips would do the trick...
As for getting it off, I've heard people say they've pounded on sockets and gotten them off that way. I have also heard that some places will chisel them off (for a large cost). I also wonder if vice grips would do the trick...
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
Re: Locking Lug Nut help (Ed T)
I too have these on my wheels from former owner but have the key. If you have a Dremel or die grinder; grind away and try to put some sides on the lock so that a socket will grab when hammered on. A nut cracking tool might also work if you can get it to stay on once you grind some flat surfaces onto the lock. Go slowly! Be Careful not to break or bend the stud! :smash:
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Winston-Salem NC
Re: Locking Lug Nut help (Ed T)
I had a set of these on a Jeep a couple years ago (I believe they were from McGard or somebody
like that), and the "key" broke. I had lost the code that would have allowed them to send me a
new one. Called them up, and the guy had me go outside with a magic marker, color the end of
the lug nut with the marker, then hold a piece of paper against it so that the pattern from the
lug nut transferred the same pattern on the paper. I then faxed the paper to them, and they
sent me a new key. Worked like a charm!
I've also heard that custom wheel shops usually have sets of these keys, and can get them off
for you, but I never verified this. Might want to check with a local shop or two.
Hope that helps!
Jeff Broughton
like that), and the "key" broke. I had lost the code that would have allowed them to send me a
new one. Called them up, and the guy had me go outside with a magic marker, color the end of
the lug nut with the marker, then hold a piece of paper against it so that the pattern from the
lug nut transferred the same pattern on the paper. I then faxed the paper to them, and they
sent me a new key. Worked like a charm!
I've also heard that custom wheel shops usually have sets of these keys, and can get them off
for you, but I never verified this. Might want to check with a local shop or two.
Hope that helps!
Jeff Broughton
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: hanson ma
Re: Locking Lug Nut help (Ed T)
The easiest way I have found to remove these locks is to overtighten the other 4 lug nuts so you actually compress the face of the rim. Once you have done this, use a 15/16 deep socket (12 point) and tap it over the wheel lock. Usually you can remove the lock with little effort. Good luck.
[Modified by carlmb, 9:22 PM 8/4/2001]
[Modified by carlmb, 9:22 PM 8/4/2001]
