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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!
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.
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.
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?
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???
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.