Lug Nut Key
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 206
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From: New Jersey
Lug Nut Key
My 1998 is missing the lug nut key, and the original owner doesnt remember seeing it. He also doesnt have the card with the recorded code number. The manual says the dealer does not record the lug key codes. Any one have any ideas on getting the lug key?
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 30,317
Likes: 165
From: Reading PA
I may have talked to you on the phone.
If you don't have the card with the lock number on it you're on your own. Sometimes, dealers and dealer technicians have a master lock set from aftermarket suppliers that sometimes works.
If no one has a master lock or anything like that, you're going to have to cut them off the wheels. If it is not done properly you will have damaged wheels.
If you don't have the card with the lock number on it you're on your own. Sometimes, dealers and dealer technicians have a master lock set from aftermarket suppliers that sometimes works.
If no one has a master lock or anything like that, you're going to have to cut them off the wheels. If it is not done properly you will have damaged wheels.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Did you check to see if you have one? The hideaway is in the trunk under the carpet. theres a small indentation between the center bin and the left hand bin on top of the divider. if you have a key it may be there. Its quite hard to find
best of luck
best of luck
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 177
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From: The smallest and most corrupt state in the nation. Rhode Island
Congrats on the "new" Ride !!!
As for the lock, some of the bigger tire places have a special tool to remove locks that the keys have been lost for.
It is a reverse ( left handed thread ) socket that fits over the locking lug and as it is turned it actually tightens on the lug nut and removes it.
You can then always order a new set of locks from your local dealer or better yet a forum vender like Gene.
Good luck with your new Vette.
As for the lock, some of the bigger tire places have a special tool to remove locks that the keys have been lost for.
It is a reverse ( left handed thread ) socket that fits over the locking lug and as it is turned it actually tightens on the lug nut and removes it.
You can then always order a new set of locks from your local dealer or better yet a forum vender like Gene.
Good luck with your new Vette.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 206
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From: New Jersey
How many different lug keys do you think they used in a given year. If I take a good quality picture, do you think a Chevy dealer could help? Were these lug lock keys made by GM or an outside vendor ?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
They appear to have been made by McGARD...you might try contacting them for assistance at
mcgard.com The lock should be marked with their name. They provide oem locking nuts for many auto manufacturers.
They may be hesitant to provide a key w/o proof of ownership.
I discontinued using McGard locking nuts years ago as it tends to distort the male/female pattern with repeated R&R. I prefer the GORILLA locking nuts instead. The chrome is better and they take oem torque values easily.
mcgard.com The lock should be marked with their name. They provide oem locking nuts for many auto manufacturers.
They may be hesitant to provide a key w/o proof of ownership.
I discontinued using McGard locking nuts years ago as it tends to distort the male/female pattern with repeated R&R. I prefer the GORILLA locking nuts instead. The chrome is better and they take oem torque values easily.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Oct 28, 2007 at 05:10 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi CMC1998 -
Please look at my response in your other post (Deal is reborn...)
I posted a picture of the card that comes with the lugs from the factory.
They are not made by McGuard (at least not in 2002....)
The contact info for the company is visible.
But, as someone has already told you - you can buy a locking lug removing socket......
best regards
mqqn
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 290
Likes: 35
From: St Augustine Florida
lost lug key
This just happen to me Thursday, ordered new tires & lost key to the
HRE's, I was apprehensive about the socket and impact wrench approach, but was'nt going to go thru all the B.S. of looking for some master key out there when no was sure of who made the locks.
A seasoned pro at Belle Tire pounded a socket over lug key and like Z06said, and turned it off in normal fashion, worked fine. Just find a good tire shop and someone there who's familar and done it before, I did and no damage at all to a set of very expensive wheels.
ps ordered Michelin PS all season "no run flats" there GREAT, totally different car, so much better,
thanks for the input from THIS FORUM !!!
HRE's, I was apprehensive about the socket and impact wrench approach, but was'nt going to go thru all the B.S. of looking for some master key out there when no was sure of who made the locks.
A seasoned pro at Belle Tire pounded a socket over lug key and like Z06said, and turned it off in normal fashion, worked fine. Just find a good tire shop and someone there who's familar and done it before, I did and no damage at all to a set of very expensive wheels.
ps ordered Michelin PS all season "no run flats" there GREAT, totally different car, so much better,
thanks for the input from THIS FORUM !!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: New Jersey
Thanks to all. I may have to go the route of the Sears tool. I dont think the previous owner is interested in helping me. He wanted to keep the window sticker (I had to demand it stay with the car), then kept the car cover I was told would go with the deal. As I was cleaning the wheels today I noticed that the air stem had 2 cent plastic caps on them instead of the ones that come with the car. Unreal !
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 58,551
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From: The warm part of Anger Island
St. Jude Donor '09
This is far fetched but I had a friend of mine make an imprint of his lug nut. He then took that to some metal shop and had them make a key from that.
Another thing we used to do when I worked at the auto parts places was let people try the lug keys to find one that will grab the lug. Most of the time it worked and didn't mess up the new key.. plus they had new lockes to go with it.
But, I reccommend going to the stealership for the master lock or having them cut off. Tis also possible to hammer the crap out of a socket on top of the lug and remove it that way although it destroys the socket.
Another thing we used to do when I worked at the auto parts places was let people try the lug keys to find one that will grab the lug. Most of the time it worked and didn't mess up the new key.. plus they had new lockes to go with it.
But, I reccommend going to the stealership for the master lock or having them cut off. Tis also possible to hammer the crap out of a socket on top of the lug and remove it that way although it destroys the socket.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Thanks to all. I may have to go the route of the Sears tool. I dont think the previous owner is interested in helping me. He wanted to keep the window sticker (I had to demand it stay with the car), then kept the car cover I was told would go with the deal. As I was cleaning the wheels today I noticed that the air stem had 2 cent plastic caps on them instead of the ones that come with the car. Unreal !
Wow - the guy kept the cover too? Cheapskate lol.....
BTW - as far as I know, C5's came with grey plastic valve step caps...
Have a blast with your car! (Still waiting for pictures
)best regards -
mqqn
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: New Jersey
You may be correct on the valve stem caps. I can't believe Chevrolet could use something so cheap.
Other than photoshop, how can you get to post pics here directly ?
Other than photoshop, how can you get to post pics here directly ?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,487
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From: Naples Florida
My car had the lug nut key when I purchased it. Of course the dealer lost it and claimed they never had it. If I ever did that again I would attach it to a large board or a brick (like a gas station restroom key). I called the company on the card that came with the car and got a new one very easily. They are easy to remove with a tight socket.