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How do I remove locking lug nut?

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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 07:25 PM
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Default How do I remove locking lug nut?

I am changing tires and wheels on a 73 convertible I have recently acquired. I did not receive the locking lug key. How do I remove the locking lug? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 07:27 PM
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Take it to a tire install store. They have tools for that. Costs like $20. Better than you messing with it.
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 07:38 PM
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I'd take it to a place that installs tires, they will probably have a tool that does it.

There is a tool that is for removing bolts and screws with stripped heads, get your hands on one of those and it should work. Harbor Freight, maybe?


Scott
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 08:15 PM
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Find a 12 point socket thats just smaller then the locking lug, and hammer it on. you should be able to get it off.
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 08:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Clubby99
Take it to a tire install store. They have tools for that. Costs like $20. Better than you messing with it.
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 09:38 PM
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If its only 1 the tighten the other 4 real tight then grab the locking one with vice grips and turn it off.
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 09:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Clubby99
Take it to a tire install store. They have tools for that. Costs like $20. Better than you messing with it.
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 10:49 PM
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Originally Posted by qwank
Find a 12 point socket thats just smaller then the locking lug, and hammer it on. you should be able to get it off.

I've done this before.
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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 03:53 AM
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If you have a welder, weld an old lugnut to the locking lugnuts.
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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 06:32 AM
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Had the same problem with my car a few years back. Took it to the tire store (lees Tires)here in va beach and they did not have a lock that fit it. Used a socket and pounded it over the lug nut and it came right off. It took two sockets because the first one split down the side. 10 minutes per tire. cost 60 bucks. I guess I could have done it at home if I would have thought of it.
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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 07:05 AM
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There's actually special gripper sockets with sharp edges to bite in some shops have. Combine this with their air impact wrenches, and pretty difficult to replicate for most home users. Some locks, like McGard are hardened, and hard to grip into. For fun try drilling a hole in one. A little torch heat usually solves the problem, but at the risk of damaging the wheel.
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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 07:39 AM
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Originally Posted by qwank
Find a 12 point socket thats just smaller then the locking lug, and hammer it on. you should be able to get it off.

It was for just such applications that Harbor Freight was hatched.

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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 12:08 PM
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Originally Posted by qwank
Find a 12 point socket thats just smaller then the locking lug, and hammer it on. you should be able to get it off.
Originally Posted by dgood
Had the same problem with my car a few years back. Took it to the tire store (lees Tires)here in va beach and they did not have a lock that fit it. Used a socket and pounded it over the lug nut and it came right off. It took two sockets because the first one split down the side. 10 minutes per tire. cost 60 bucks. I guess I could have done it at home if I would have thought of it.
Originally Posted by blckslvr79

I've done this before.
DO NOT do this. It's bad juju for the wheel hubs. You wouldn't torque a single lug to spec at full capacity before doing any of the others, right? Would you be willing to put a 200+ lb impact load on a single stud?
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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 01:07 PM
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get an impact socket and drive it on with a hammer. impact sockets are much stronger.
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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 11:05 PM
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Default locking lug nut removal

Thanks all. I used 12 point socket worked fine. Thanks again!
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 12:23 AM
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Originally Posted by qwank
Find a 12 point socket thats just smaller then the locking lug, and hammer it on. you should be able to get it off.
Yep, buy 4 of them. Had to do that to the wife's car when the damn service tech lost the key years ago.
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 12:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Shark Racer
DO NOT do this. It's bad juju for the wheel hubs. You wouldn't torque a single lug to spec at full capacity before doing any of the others, right? Would you be willing to put a 200+ lb impact load on a single stud?
What in the hell are you talking about???? We're talking about removing the lock nut, not installing one. No one is torqing down 200+ lbs???
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 12:53 AM
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Originally Posted by GRIZ73
Thanks all. I used 12 point socket worked fine. Thanks again!

Glad it worked for you.

Any damage to the hub???
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 01:58 AM
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Originally Posted by blckslvr79
What in the hell are you talking about???? We're talking about removing the lock nut, not installing one. No one is torqing down 200+ lbs???
How much force do you think you're applying to the hub when you hammer the socket on?

Where do you think the force is being applied?

Do you check the rotor surface before and after with a dial indicator?



Originally Posted by blckslvr79

Glad it worked for you.

Any damage to the hub???
Anything I can say to respond to this would be a violation of the forum rules.

Did you even read my post? Do you know the difference between "impact load" and torque?

Last edited by Shark Racer; Aug 1, 2011 at 02:03 AM.
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 03:51 AM
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While getting a bit off topic, kinda freaky thing happened. Been using a set of McGards for years transfered to 3 seperate cars. Bought another new set for a different car. I'll be damned, if it wasn't the exact same pattern, using the same lug key. I always buy an extra key, and hang it with a copy of the number card on the basement wall.
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