How to remove Locking Lugnuts?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Wickenburg, AZ
How to remove Locking Lugnuts?
I bought a 1990 L98 Coupe from an estate and the car did not come with the special lug socket for the 4 locking lug nuts at each wheel. The wheels are stock so I am guessing that the lugs and lock lugs are factory..
I'm getting the run-around from the local Chev dealer who wants $40 for full replacement set that includes the special socket. I'm told that I have to bring the car in to identify the correct socket. The problem is that the car is not yet in running condition and is up on run-up ramps ready to be jacked up.
My question is: Did Chevy use more than one style of lock nut on 1990 Corvette wheels? Where can I get one?
If I can't get one, what is the best way for a home mechanic to remove the locks?
Thanks, in advance, folks.
Rex
I'm getting the run-around from the local Chev dealer who wants $40 for full replacement set that includes the special socket. I'm told that I have to bring the car in to identify the correct socket. The problem is that the car is not yet in running condition and is up on run-up ramps ready to be jacked up.
My question is: Did Chevy use more than one style of lock nut on 1990 Corvette wheels? Where can I get one?
If I can't get one, what is the best way for a home mechanic to remove the locks?
Thanks, in advance, folks.
Rex
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I replaced my locking lug nuts with regular lug nuts. Then I didn't have to deal with the lock socket and nobody's going to steal my stock wheels anyway.
A couple years ago I went one step farther and bought a set of chrome lug nuts. I threw away the stupid plastic lug nut covers along with the old lug nuts. A lot less hassle to get the wheels on and off.
A couple years ago I went one step farther and bought a set of chrome lug nuts. I threw away the stupid plastic lug nut covers along with the old lug nuts. A lot less hassle to get the wheels on and off.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,373
Likes: 2,734
Replacement keys can sometimes be had by furnishing a high resolution snapshot to the vendor. There's many good "hiding spots" for the key in the car. Have you exhausted all of the possible? Is it maybe attached to the jack handle?
Is the owners packet with the car? There would have been an ID card supplied to the original owner identifying the key. 2" or 2 1/2" square card.
How difficult was the removal of the wheel nuts? Foolish question you ask? That might determine the best method for removal of the locking wheel nut if you're not interested in saving them.
Most dealers maintained a wheel lock key set for their own use for cars that had wheel locks through the '90s. I doubt that most either still have or might recall. If the dealer is an older store check with the service manager or shop foreman.
Is the owners packet with the car? There would have been an ID card supplied to the original owner identifying the key. 2" or 2 1/2" square card.
How difficult was the removal of the wheel nuts? Foolish question you ask? That might determine the best method for removal of the locking wheel nut if you're not interested in saving them.
Most dealers maintained a wheel lock key set for their own use for cars that had wheel locks through the '90s. I doubt that most either still have or might recall. If the dealer is an older store check with the service manager or shop foreman.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Dayton Ohio
I just had to do this last week as my wheel lock broke. You have two inexpensive options really.
1. Find a socket that is slightly bigger than the wheel lock itself, in my case, it was 21mm. Hammer it onto the lock. Remove with a socket wrench!
2. Buy a kit designed for this very thing. I bought mine at O'Reilys for $19. It actually uses an impact wrench and threads onto the wheel lock, then you use your lug nut wrench to screw it off.
I had all 4 locks to remove, I did two by hammering on the sockets and two with the kit. The kit worked the best.
Lastly, I placed the socket into a vice after I got the lock off of the wheel to separate the lock from the socket. That was perhaps the hardest part.
Jeff
1. Find a socket that is slightly bigger than the wheel lock itself, in my case, it was 21mm. Hammer it onto the lock. Remove with a socket wrench!
2. Buy a kit designed for this very thing. I bought mine at O'Reilys for $19. It actually uses an impact wrench and threads onto the wheel lock, then you use your lug nut wrench to screw it off.
I had all 4 locks to remove, I did two by hammering on the sockets and two with the kit. The kit worked the best.
Lastly, I placed the socket into a vice after I got the lock off of the wheel to separate the lock from the socket. That was perhaps the hardest part.
Jeff
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,131
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
Sears also has a stripped nut removing tools for many different size nuts. It has tapered screw like threads inside that cut into and tighten around the outside of a nut as you turn it in the removal direction with your tire tool. It will destroy the "prettyness" of the nuts but it will get them off. You may have to put the removed nut in a vise and turn the nut removal tool in the 'Tighten' direction to get it to release off your removed nut so you can use it on the next one.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
I just had to do this last week as my wheel lock broke. You have two inexpensive options really.
1. Find a socket that is slightly bigger than the wheel lock itself, in my case, it was 21mm. Hammer it onto the lock. Remove with a socket wrench!
2. Buy a kit designed for this very thing. I bought mine at O'Reilys for $19. It actually uses an impact wrench and threads onto the wheel lock, then you use your lug nut wrench to screw it off.
I had all 4 locks to remove, I did two by hammering on the sockets and two with the kit. The kit worked the best.
Lastly, I placed the socket into a vice after I got the lock off of the wheel to separate the lock from the socket. That was perhaps the hardest part.
Jeff
1. Find a socket that is slightly bigger than the wheel lock itself, in my case, it was 21mm. Hammer it onto the lock. Remove with a socket wrench!
2. Buy a kit designed for this very thing. I bought mine at O'Reilys for $19. It actually uses an impact wrench and threads onto the wheel lock, then you use your lug nut wrench to screw it off.
I had all 4 locks to remove, I did two by hammering on the sockets and two with the kit. The kit worked the best.
Lastly, I placed the socket into a vice after I got the lock off of the wheel to separate the lock from the socket. That was perhaps the hardest part.
Jeff
I detest locking lug nuts.
They won't stop a determined thief, but they WILL stop you from putting your spare on 50 miles in the middle of nowhere. Absolute garbage. That's what insurance and low deductibles are for. And especially if your car is garaged the majority of the time, your odds of getting your wheels stolen are miniscule.
Get rid of them and replace them with regular lug nuts.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 311
Likes: 23
From: Austin, TX
sear sells a socket like kit that will go over the head of the locking nut. as you try to remove the nut the socket bites into the nut/bolt/stud you are trying to remove and break it loose and remove it. works like a charm. I had to do this.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-pc...2&blockType=G2
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-pc...3&blockType=G3
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-pc...2&blockType=G2
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-pc...3&blockType=G3
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 42
From: shavertown Pa.
Pep Boys has 2 sockets sold in a set for removing any lock nut that you lost your keys for.
They work like an easy out with a reverse thread, you tap the right socket on to the lock and then twist it in the off direction.
As the nut bites into the lock it it turning it in the off direction.
I have taken locks off cars that were put on with lock-tight using these sockets.
They work like an easy out with a reverse thread, you tap the right socket on to the lock and then twist it in the off direction.
As the nut bites into the lock it it turning it in the off direction.
I have taken locks off cars that were put on with lock-tight using these sockets.