Wheel locks.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,662
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From: Miami FL
Wheel locks.
I have a 2004 and GM doesn't give wheel locks with them as standard equipment. Are wheel locks with the extra money or are they a waste of time to put on the wheels? Can they be defeated easily?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Smith Tenn
wheel locks are inexpensive and worthwhile. If you have a serious theif they will probably just tow you away but for the guy with a lugwrench without the key they are pretty tough from what i have seen. others may have personal experience that contradicts this so perhaps they will respond 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,662
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From: Miami FL
Originally Posted by chocoholic
Whilst locking wheel nuts might be a deterrent to a spur of the moment thief, most are also a no-brainer to remove.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Mustang OK
Originally Posted by urg8rb8
Do you know of any wheel locks that are worth getting?
http://www.mcgard.com/automotive/
Hope this helps!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,662
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From: Miami FL
Originally Posted by GrayC5
I bought the McGard wheel lock set of 4 locks (#24137) which is a very nice match for the factory chrome lugs they started putting on the later model year C5s. The McGards are triple chrome plated, come with a lifetime no rust warranty, and are some of the highest quality I have found. You can read about them here:
http://www.mcgard.com/automotive/
Hope this helps!
http://www.mcgard.com/automotive/
Hope this helps!
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I do not think the '04s came with wheel locks. Are they worth it - IMO yes. A good thief may be able to defeat them easily, but it still takes time, which is the worst enemy for a thief. McGard sells some decent locks for the car.
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Race Director
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From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by csmith46
wheel locks are inexpensive and worthwhile. If you have a serious theif they will probably just tow you away but for the guy with a lugwrench without the key they are pretty tough from what i have seen. others may have personal experience that contradicts this so perhaps they will respond
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Mustang OK
Originally Posted by urg8rb8
Yes thanks. How easy are they to break into? I saw a video posted on the CF showing someone (a forum member) being able to break into wheel locks with a hammer and a nut socket in like 10 seconds. Are these McGards more difficult to break into?
I feel quite certain that an experienced thief can defeat the McGards too. But, I look at it this way. Given comparable sets of wheels, one with and one without locks, which is a thief going to go for first? I think I gave about $24.99 plus tax for my set of locks and, IMO, this is a small price to pay for whatever added security they give. Just my $0.02
Last edited by GrayC5; Jul 9, 2004 at 06:27 PM.
Le Mans Master
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From: Maryville TN
St. Jude Donor '06-13,'16-'17, '19
Don't waste your money. Your average village idiot with a good deep well socket set can remove a wheel lock FASTER than you can with the wheel lock's key.
Tom
Tom
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 922
Likes: 1
From: Brisbane Queensland, Australia
Originally Posted by urg8rb8
I have a 2004 and GM doesn't give wheel locks with them as standard equipment. Are wheel locks with the extra money or are they a waste of time to put on the wheels? Can they be defeated easily?
If you burr the tool you are in DEEP doodoo!
They are THE most difficult damned things I have EVER encountered - These McGuard ones work good in theory but WHAT a PITA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The groove on wheel nut (On mine at least - I believe there are about 15 different patterns) is SO shallow (Like 2mm) and if you cant FULLY lock the outside collar onto the nut - the tool will just slip off and you risk damaging the tool and being faced with NASTY alternatives like welding a bolt onto nut, TRYING to smack a socket over the nut, OR drill out the stud with a cobolt bit!
DON'T DO IT!!!!!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Havin' fun in Frederick, MD!!!
St. Jude Donor '05 '09
Every time I have taken my cars to a shop, I have offered them the key and they nod and say ok, but they never ever use it! They have some sticky (rubber-lined or something) that can produce enough torque to remove the nuts.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 922
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From: Brisbane Queensland, Australia
Originally Posted by lemansbleu2004
Every time I have taken my cars to a shop, I have offered them the key and they nod and say ok, but they never ever use it! They have some sticky (rubber-lined or something) that can produce enough torque to remove the nuts.
Thanks for the reply
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
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From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by urg8rb8
I have a 2004 and GM doesn't give wheel locks with them as standard equipment. Are wheel locks with the extra money or are they a waste of time to put on the wheels? Can they be defeated easily?
My experience is the only people that get slowed down, or come to a dead stop, by locks are the owners.
