pgtr

On my late C4 with the factory brushed finish OE saw blades I was contemplating at least replacing the 4 locking lug nuts with regular lug nuts so I don't have to hassle with the key. Or maybe even replacing all the lugs with standard open or acorn lugs and not even messing with the caps either.

In searching through some lug nut threads I was surprised that even recently, a number of members made stern warnings about keeping locking lugs on saw blades for fear of theft. I never figured the saw blades (particularly by 2009) as being all that desirable or interchangeable and figured these all left the factory with locks installed (a potential thief would have to remove a handfull of caps to see if this was the 1 in 50,000 C4s that didn't have locks).

Q1: How many people have come out and found their lug caps removed, lugs tampered with or other signs of an attempted Saw Blade Wheel robbery which was foiled by the locking lugs?

Q2: How many people have been 'stuck' because they didn't have a 'key', couldn't change the flat, couldn't do a brake job because of a temporarily misplaced key, couldn't get new tires installed etc...?


PS: Few Questions on the screw-on caps:
1) Will the early C4 ('84?) black plastic caps fit OK on late C4s?
2) Are the aftermarket chrome caps metal or plastic?
3) If so, any other cap colors avail in metal?

zr1fred

People will steal anything! If you leave your vette out....There were several plastic caps (they all fit the standard lug nut, 85-96, 84 used a different lug nut). They came in black, gray, and silver. The chrome ones are after market, and I've seen them in plastic and metal. You can paint them any color you like.

pgtr

Thanks - so the chrome caps can be either plastic or metal - good to know!

c4cruiser

I have never had an issue with theft or attempted theft of any wheels from my cars. Maybe I've just been lucky

As far as the key, the most important thing is to put the key back where it belongs immediately after you use it. There is a place for it and as long as you put it back, it will be there for next time. Never hurry when the key is involved. Any tire shop will have a way of removing a locking lugnut; it may destroy the nut, but it will come off.

The plastic caps used on the C4 are really a generic GM item. There are a number of GM cars that have these plastic covers and the lugnuts with the outside threads are the same right down to the 60 degree pitch on the cone. Even the C5 plastic caps use the same lugnuts as the C4. The chances are that if you ask for caps for a 91 Celebrity, they will cost the same as the Vette cap and have the same part number.

RickF

I saw something recently where people were putting sawblades on VWs; GTIs IIRC. IMO it looked pretty good!

Sawblades are cool again.

Personally, I wouldn't think the lock would be worth it unless theft is an ongoing problem in your neighborhood. Some people just like to steal. In many cases the tires are worth more than the 'blades.

96polovette

I don't use wheel locks. Most savy criminals know the wheel lock key is usually kept somewhere in the car should you have to change a flat tire. So with wheel locks installed, if they want your wheels bad enough they're going to break into your car to look for the key.

CStewTAMU

I have actually been thinking about doing the same. My locking nuts are all torn up. It's PITA just to get the key to line up and go on.

Mojave

Wheel locks are worthless. I have removed over 20 sets for customers who have lost their key. With the right tools, it's not hard and you don't need to break into anything. Not to mention the C4 style locks get chewed up and are very difficult to get on the locking nuts.

Replace them with regular nuts and be done with it. Who steals sawblades anyway?!?!

Klondike

You can buy those "Nut Grabber" tools at Sears that remove damaged nuts & bolts. I'm sure the thieves have an assortment of them on hand to remove the puzzle head lug nuts with no problem. A lot of times if they have trouble stealing something, they'll just trash it because it pissed them off.

shacky

I bought replacement lugs and locks at Summit Racing. Good price for nice new chrome lugs. I keep the lock key in the storage area behind the passanger seat. It's out of the way and I always know where it is.

I have thought about replacing my sawblades but I really like the look!

pgtr

Thanks everyone - pretty much what I figured.

My key rattles around in the center console. I usually have to rummage around to find it. Is there a better place?

zr1fred

I think they came from the factory in the rear compartment. You can just put it in a zip-lock bag too.

mikeb

If anybody has their sawblades stolen because they didn't have locking lugs, I'll gladly give you my Turbines, for free.

Dug this picture up from 3+ years ago. (Recently ? )

pianoguy

Mine don't have locks on them, and last time I looked, the wheels were still on the car.

RedVette84

If the car is garaged there shouldn't be a problem. A little hard to steal them at a show or a cruise.