Help!!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 18
From: Thompsons Station Tennessee
Help!!! Problem Solved
I bought a 02 Zo6 last week and the owner did not have the wheel lock key socket. I called a dealer and they said that they would have to remove tham with a chisil and air hammer. I thought that the dealer had a master set? Any suggestions for removing other than the chisil hammer method.
Problem Solved
I contacted another dealer that serviced my Vettes in the past. He told me to come on down that they had a set of keys. The third key he had fit my car! He removed all 4 while I was in parts purchasing a new set of locks then he installed them for me. No charge other than $26.55for the lock set.
thank you Walker Chevrolet and Delbert Walker the service advisor.
Problem Solved
I contacted another dealer that serviced my Vettes in the past. He told me to come on down that they had a set of keys. The third key he had fit my car! He removed all 4 while I was in parts purchasing a new set of locks then he installed them for me. No charge other than $26.55for the lock set.
thank you Walker Chevrolet and Delbert Walker the service advisor.
Last edited by lwise4; Jul 16, 2007 at 04:06 PM. Reason: problem solved
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,364
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From: Rocky Mount Virginia
You can use a socket that the inside diameter is almost the same size as the lock's outside diameter. You'll need to beat it on with a hammer. Then use a rachet to remove. This method has been used a few times on the forum.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: North Texas Area Tx
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St. Jude Donor '03
Was it not in the left hand storage compartment? My 2000 had a place for it right under the storage door.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 270
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From: Springfield OH
Tools are out there to remove locks that are missing keys.
For example: http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/lt4000.html
For example: http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/lt4000.html
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Saraland Alabama
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Check through your owners manual and look in your console. My '02 vert came with a little card that told what code my locks were. I found the card in my console.
I, too, have heard that the hammered on socket works but before you do that make sure you don't have Gorilla locks because they are aftermarket locks that were designed to thart removal with the hammered-on socket. On the Gorilla locks there is a chrome sleeve around the perimeter of the lock lug that spins freely with heavy finger pressure so when you hammer the socket on you will not accomplish anything but have a socket stuck on your ruined lug nut.
It is a great concept and I suppose it would discourage a thief from stealing your wheels.
I, too, have heard that the hammered on socket works but before you do that make sure you don't have Gorilla locks because they are aftermarket locks that were designed to thart removal with the hammered-on socket. On the Gorilla locks there is a chrome sleeve around the perimeter of the lock lug that spins freely with heavy finger pressure so when you hammer the socket on you will not accomplish anything but have a socket stuck on your ruined lug nut.
It is a great concept and I suppose it would discourage a thief from stealing your wheels.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,865
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From: Saraland Alabama
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Check through your owners manual and look in your console. My '02 vert came with a little card that told what code my locks were. I found the card in my console.
I, too, have heard that the hammered on socket works but before you do that make sure you don't have Gorilla locks because they are aftermarket locks that were designed to thwart removal with the hammered-on socket. On the Gorilla locks there is a chrome sleeve around the perimeter of the lock lug that spins freely with heavy finger pressure so when you hammer the socket on you will not accomplish anything but have a socket stuck on your ruined lug nut.
It is a great concept and I suppose it would discourage a thief from stealing your wheels.
I, too, have heard that the hammered on socket works but before you do that make sure you don't have Gorilla locks because they are aftermarket locks that were designed to thwart removal with the hammered-on socket. On the Gorilla locks there is a chrome sleeve around the perimeter of the lock lug that spins freely with heavy finger pressure so when you hammer the socket on you will not accomplish anything but have a socket stuck on your ruined lug nut.
It is a great concept and I suppose it would discourage a thief from stealing your wheels.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Cinti,OH 2004 Z06
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St. Jude Donor '07-'09
same thing happened to me, I went to Pep Boys and they had
a universal tool that removed mine in about 10 minutes - and -
no damage to my wheels
a universal tool that removed mine in about 10 minutes - and -
no damage to my wheels
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: LEBANON PA.
Lug Nuts
HI there,
When I removed my wheels on my 01 vette. (to paint the brake calibers & mufflers) I used a 3/4"deep socket with a breaker bar & the keyed socket. Every one came off with some intense effort. Except on the last wheel. That keyed lug nut was rusted so bad I could not get it off.I rounded off the keyed lug nut.Then I took a propane torch (the home owner type) held it near the nut( not too close or you will deform the center cap) for 3 minutes & used a lug wrench from a 1996 honda accord which fit perfectly & slipped a 1 1/2" diameter pvc pipe about 3ft. long & it broke loose.There was major rust on all the wheel hubs & the axle mating area & all the lug nuts.(Wheels were never off the car) The chevy dealer sells the entire kit which consists of: 16 regular lug nuts,4 keyed nuts, 1 keyed socket. Costs about 30 dollars. Auto zone may also sell the kits as they had the regular lug nut in stock.PS: When you torque the lug nuts to a final torque of 100ft. lbs. Use the 25 ft. lbs. increment method so as not to crack the wheel.The dealer did not have a master set.
I hope this helps you.
robsc501
When I removed my wheels on my 01 vette. (to paint the brake calibers & mufflers) I used a 3/4"deep socket with a breaker bar & the keyed socket. Every one came off with some intense effort. Except on the last wheel. That keyed lug nut was rusted so bad I could not get it off.I rounded off the keyed lug nut.Then I took a propane torch (the home owner type) held it near the nut( not too close or you will deform the center cap) for 3 minutes & used a lug wrench from a 1996 honda accord which fit perfectly & slipped a 1 1/2" diameter pvc pipe about 3ft. long & it broke loose.There was major rust on all the wheel hubs & the axle mating area & all the lug nuts.(Wheels were never off the car) The chevy dealer sells the entire kit which consists of: 16 regular lug nuts,4 keyed nuts, 1 keyed socket. Costs about 30 dollars. Auto zone may also sell the kits as they had the regular lug nut in stock.PS: When you torque the lug nuts to a final torque of 100ft. lbs. Use the 25 ft. lbs. increment method so as not to crack the wheel.The dealer did not have a master set.
I hope this helps you.
robsc501
Last edited by robsc501; Jul 17, 2007 at 07:30 PM. Reason: additional info.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 18
From: Thompsons Station Tennessee
Thanks I will check with Pep Boys. there are no cards in the car just the owners manual. Some of the replys "which are appreciated" refer to the storage areas. I have had a 98 coupe and for the last 6 years a 01 vert with storage compartments, this car has none just open wells! There are only 8,500 miles on this 02 Z06 so I guess that the previous owner nevr had to remove a wheel or had a flat "the inflator kit is also missing". i have a kit on order but the locks are another story. I had a 84 coupe that I had to get a nut welded to the locking nut to get it off. I am just looking for the easist way out of this.
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The methods above are the only ways I know of to get the locks off if you don't have the key. Good luck getting them off without any damage to the wheels.