Lug nut lock missing
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Troy Missouri
Lug nut lock missing
I have a 02 Z06, since Xmas and its time to change tires. There is no lug nut lock in its storage place in the trunk. I looked all over in case it fell down into a well. Whats my options? A friend has the same car but I assume his would be keyed different. Will the dealer make me one for less than $2000? How long? I don't see a code with the paperwork. Ugh
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 60
From: Somewhere out there
Find a socket that is just smaller than the nut and hammer it on. it should last long enough to spin off the lock. Then discard and continue.
Now you know how to steal 'locked' wheels......
Now you know how to steal 'locked' wheels......
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Before possibly damaging your car/wheel/lugs, why not call a wheel shop and see what they would charge to get it off. I'll bet they deal with this problem all the time. I know the above method works but there's always a chance you damage something unintentionally.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Dealer can order you a new one based on your VIN, IIRC, but you still need to get the locks off. Once those are removed, you can buy any wheel locks you like. I don't run locks becuase thieves know the trick mentioned above so no point. I just leave the car where it's vulnerable if I can help it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 680
From: The beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast!!
I had the same problem & the wheel shop I deal with regularly removed the lock nut for free & without any damage. I didn't see it, but the shop owner said he had a tool made for just such occasions.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 394
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '18
There are tools for this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stripped-Lug-Nut-Remover-Wheel-Lock-Removal-Socket-Tool-/231476062493?hash=item35e50c691d&item=231476062493&vxp=mtr
I've even seen them for sale at Advance Auto. Just make sure you buy the right kind for the lug nuts you have.
Don't half *** it. If you try driving a socket on there, you could split/break the socket and damage your wheel. I'd do it on one of my Demo Derby cars, but not my Corvette.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stripped-Lug-Nut-Remover-Wheel-Lock-Removal-Socket-Tool-/231476062493?hash=item35e50c691d&item=231476062493&vxp=mtr
I've even seen them for sale at Advance Auto. Just make sure you buy the right kind for the lug nuts you have.
Don't half *** it. If you try driving a socket on there, you could split/break the socket and damage your wheel. I'd do it on one of my Demo Derby cars, but not my Corvette.
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And sometimes a larger tire store may have some master keys for the locking lugs that may work on yours.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Troy Missouri
The dealer was no help in getting a key so I just got rid of the locks. I fixed it yesterday by buying 4 new plain lug nuts from the dealer and a removal tool from ORiley for $17. This is a socket set that you just screw onto the offending lock nut and it backs it off. They are especially useful for impact guns but mine worked with a breaker bar. The hardest part was getting the lug nut out of the socket. I ground two flats on the nut, held it in a good vice and tightened the wrench to remove. No more pesky locking lugs.
In 2002 wheel locks came factory. It's in the owners manual, there is a special little storage place for the "key" in the trunk on top of the left frame rail just under the carpet. Mine had no key.
In 2002 wheel locks came factory. It's in the owners manual, there is a special little storage place for the "key" in the trunk on top of the left frame rail just under the carpet. Mine had no key.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 235
From: North Carolina
The dealer was no help in getting a key so I just got rid of the locks. I fixed it yesterday by buying 4 new plain lug nuts from the dealer and a removal tool from ORiley for $17. This is a socket set that you just screw onto the offending lock nut and it backs it off. They are especially useful for impact guns but mine worked with a breaker bar. The hardest part was getting the lug nut out of the socket. I ground two flats on the nut, held it in a good vice and tightened the wrench to remove. No more pesky locking lugs.
In 2002 wheel locks came factory. It's in the owners manual, there is a special little storage place for the "key" in the trunk on top of the left frame rail just under the carpet. Mine had no key.
In 2002 wheel locks came factory. It's in the owners manual, there is a special little storage place for the "key" in the trunk on top of the left frame rail just under the carpet. Mine had no key.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 219
From: West Branch, MI
Several times I've wondered if one of these would work on those locking lugs?
http://www.sears.com/gator-grips-uni...p-00947078000P
http://www.sears.com/gator-grips-uni...p-00947078000P