85 - no key for locking lug nuts
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: CHESAPEAKE VA
85 - no key for locking lug nuts
I've had my 85 for a couple of months and am finally getting around to changing out tires; however, I never got a key to for the locking lug nuts. Does any one know how to remove these without a key? Thanks for any help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 3
From: Oxford CT
Take it to a tire shop. They will have a removal tool. Its a socket with no edges (round in side) they hammer onto the lug nut and screw it off.
If desperate you can find a reg socket that fits over it and do the same thing, it may or may not work.
I would tape off the rim to prevent any damage,
and or go try to buy the kit.
If desperate you can find a reg socket that fits over it and do the same thing, it may or may not work.
I would tape off the rim to prevent any damage,
and or go try to buy the kit.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
Likes: 103
From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
Or wrap the lug nut area with a wet towel and weld a normal lugnut ontop of the locking one. Then turn off with a normal four way. The above ideas will work as well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
From: New Port Richey Florida
Just was another thread on this problem and someone posted you can get a set of lug nut removers for stripped lugnuts or lock nuts at sears that will solve your problem. Might be the safest way to go.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 64
Likes: 43
From: Jacksonville FL
Just did this on my '85 not more than a month ago. Took a trip to the local tire shop. The guy had it off in less than 2 minutes. I had been battling with it for well over an hour. Best $10 I've spent on this car.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Katy Texas
Oreily's Auto Parts sells a set of sockets for about $14
These sockets have a reverse tapered threads on the inside.
They thread themselves onto the outside of the lug nuts or lug nut locks until the lug nuts or locks start to turn and come off.
Do not attempt to do this unless you have a vise.
You will need a vise to remove the socket from the lug nut or locks once you are done.
Oh yeah, you might want to have a cheater pipe handy also.
Talking from experience folks!
These sockets have a reverse tapered threads on the inside.
They thread themselves onto the outside of the lug nuts or lug nut locks until the lug nuts or locks start to turn and come off.
Do not attempt to do this unless you have a vise.
You will need a vise to remove the socket from the lug nut or locks once you are done.
Oh yeah, you might want to have a cheater pipe handy also.
Talking from experience folks!
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Washington Louisiana
Another suggestion
I got mine off by putting an old needle bearing (or any small piece of hardened round rod, maybe 1/16"dia) in one of the idents or slots of the locking lug nut and using a 6pt socket that would just barely fit over this assembly. I had to tap the socket in place. Between a metric and SAE set, I found a socket that fits.
Good luck.
Good luck.
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
From: Warren, Michigan
you may also be lucky enough to have a factory lock set on those wheels which the dealer should be able to tell you which one you need to order. they have a "master" set at the service dept (all the ones I've worked at had them) they can find the one that fits and then you can order right through them. All the other options mentioned above will also work, but I would try the dealer route to cut down my chances of damaging the wheel. good luck. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 898
Likes: 1
From: Pearland Texas
A tire shop charged me 8 bucks a wheel. They pounded a socket onto the lug and got it off. Funny part was watching them waste 3 sockets pounding the lugs out. Only managed to get one lug out. I didn't need them anyway. I felt ripped off but was in a bind.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,471
Likes: 43
From: Auburn MA
When I first got my vette I didnt have a key.... So I went to Sears and bought a 1 size bigger 12pt deep socket, which I believe was a 20mm, and pounded it on there with a hammer. Then I took a braker bar and took them all off... very easy no need to pay some one to take them off... mine were the factory locks and this worked well for me you might want to give this a try.
