Locking lugnuts.. Do they work ?
01-11-2011, 02:18 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Locking lugnuts.. Do they work ?
I had my wheels stolen off my HHR right in my driveway and they werent really worth much. So when I bought a nice set of wheels for my Corvette I bought a nice set of 20 locking lugnuts that come with a socket type key. Do they work ? or should I also invest in a better alarm before I put them on ?
01-11-2011, 02:25 PM
#2
Race Director
They work, to a point. It makes it harder for the thief to get them off, but they do come off. In conjunction with a good alarm they work a lot better.
01-11-2011, 02:28 PM
#3
Race Director
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Nothing works 100%. You can buy a tool from MAC Tools.com to take off any locking lug, we sold a bunch off the trucks here in SLC, even ran a special on them.
Sad to say, but if some one wants your wheels bad enough they'll get 'em.
Sad to say, but if some one wants your wheels bad enough they'll get 'em.
01-11-2011, 02:42 PM
#5
Team Owner
Any thief that wants the wheels bad enough will take them. As mentioned, the various professional tool companies (MAC, Snap-On, Cornwell, and others) have locknut removal sockets. Any tire shop can remove pretty much any locknut.
If you are going to rely on a locking lugnut, consider buying a second removal socket. Keep it at home. That way if you lose the one in the car or forget where you may have hidden it you have a backup.
For the one you keep in the car, hide it well; not in the glovebox or any storage compartment. If you don't have an alarm system, it will be easy for a wheel thief to break into the car, grab the socket and then take the wheels.
And don't forget that professional thieves can disable many alarm systems. If you can garage the car, that provides an additional level of security.
If you are going to rely on a locking lugnut, consider buying a second removal socket. Keep it at home. That way if you lose the one in the car or forget where you may have hidden it you have a backup.
For the one you keep in the car, hide it well; not in the glovebox or any storage compartment. If you don't have an alarm system, it will be easy for a wheel thief to break into the car, grab the socket and then take the wheels.
And don't forget that professional thieves can disable many alarm systems. If you can garage the car, that provides an additional level of security.
01-11-2011, 03:17 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
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Get a hatch monkey for security. If you have a C4 Mach 5 clone then you need one for sure. Are there any C4 Mach 5 tribute coupes?
Anyway back on topic, a set of locking lugnuts would help some
Anyway back on topic, a set of locking lugnuts would help some
01-11-2011, 03:21 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
I had my wheels stolen off my HHR right in my driveway and they werent really worth much. So when I bought a nice set of wheels for my Corvette I bought a nice set of 20 locking lugnuts that come with a socket type key. Do they work ? or should I also invest in a better alarm before I put them on ?
01-11-2011, 03:52 PM
#9
Race Director
Most just use one locking lug nut per wheel.
I have to say if I was a wheel thief, and I came across 5 locking lug nuts on each wheel I'd just move on to the next car.
But as mentioned, if they want them bad enough they can be removed.
It will slow them down a little though.
01-11-2011, 06:14 PM
#11
Racer
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01-12-2011, 08:10 AM
#14
Le Mans Master
You have to keep the key in the car, or you are screwed when you get a flat or something. So locking lug nuts just mean a broken window in addition to stolen wheels.
01-12-2011, 10:20 AM
#15
Race Director
That's what insurance is for. Or buy a house with a garage. In which case THIS is the best theft deterrent.
This is how we Texans handle people who come into our garages to take things that don't belong to them.
This is how we Texans handle people who come into our garages to take things that don't belong to them.
01-12-2011, 10:26 AM
#17
Tech Contributor
I had my wheels stolen off my HHR right in my driveway and they werent really worth much. So when I bought a nice set of wheels for my Corvette I bought a nice set of 20 locking lugnuts that come with a socket type key. Do they work ? or should I also invest in a better alarm before I put them on ?
Any thing that causes a thief more time than normal to steal something works. Just keep in mind it takes you more time to service the tire as well
01-12-2011, 01:51 PM
#20
Burning Brakes
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The locking lugs that I have on my '87 don't have the
puzzle indentation in the end but rather grooves in the
side. The wrench mates with the grooves, and has the
same size hex on top as the regular lugs, so the lug
wrench mates up. It's no big deal to use.
I believe the locking lugs came from the factory.
Anybody know who made them? My brother wants
a set for his car (not a 'vette).
Chuck
puzzle indentation in the end but rather grooves in the
side. The wrench mates with the grooves, and has the
same size hex on top as the regular lugs, so the lug
wrench mates up. It's no big deal to use.
I believe the locking lugs came from the factory.
Anybody know who made them? My brother wants
a set for his car (not a 'vette).
Chuck