Lost Locking Lug Nut Key -- Need Help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 482
Likes: 1
From: Waveland MS
Lost Locking Lug Nut Key -- Need Help
I just changed out my shifter, and for some reason when I took the locking lug nut key out to remove the console, I somehow lost it. Does anyone recommend a way to get the locking lug nuts off. Honestly, I think the locking nuts make no sense because I usually just keep the lock in a place that a thief can get to it anyway. I have 2 questions:
1.) Can the local GM dealership order me a replacement key for the lug nuts (maybe by VIN number)?
2.) Can these be removed easily without the key? I really don't care if I have locking nuts on the factory wheels.
Thanks
1.) Can the local GM dealership order me a replacement key for the lug nuts (maybe by VIN number)?
2.) Can these be removed easily without the key? I really don't care if I have locking nuts on the factory wheels.
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,040
Likes: 0
From: Collin County Texas
Do a search on this forum, but a certain size socket will fit snuggly over the locking nut and remove it fairly easily. I just took mine off early on and used some nice looking chrome lug nuts. Thieves will have the proper tools to remove the locking nut (as I just explained above!).
I just found this. A search yielded this: "Usually a 19mm socket and a hammer is a replacement for missing lug keys."
I just found this. A search yielded this: "Usually a 19mm socket and a hammer is a replacement for missing lug keys."
Last edited by RWhite; Jun 29, 2005 at 11:22 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Originally Posted by RWhite
Do a search on this forum, but a certain size socket will fit snuggly over the locking nut and remove it fairly easily. I just took mine off early on and used some nice looking chrome lug nuts. Thieves will have the proper tools to remove the locking nut (as I just explained above!).
I just found this. A search yielded this: "Usually a 19mm socket and a hammer is a replacement for missing lug keys."
I just found this. A search yielded this: "Usually a 19mm socket and a hammer is a replacement for missing lug keys."
1) People who are ignorant. I have been in this category in the past. This technique causes huge stress on the wheel spindle. NICHT GUT.
2) Thieves. What do they care about your spindle?
3) Lazy mechs(also possibly ignorant.) See 1.
Shops have tools that will take these things off... usually permanently. You definitely don't want to damage your suspension to take a $5 lock nut off though. Personally I agree with you, I don't use 'em.
-Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,040
Likes: 0
From: Collin County Texas
Originally Posted by Pacin'California
Don't take that to heart. There are a number of people who would actually follow that advice:
1) People who are ignorant. I have been in this category in the past. This technique causes huge stress on the wheel spindle. NICHT GUT.
2) Thieves. What do they care about your spindle?
3) Lazy mechs(also possibly ignorant.) See 1.
Shops have tools that will take these things off... usually permanently. You definitely don't want to damage your suspension to take a $5 lock nut off though. Personally I agree with you, I don't use 'em.
-Steve
1) People who are ignorant. I have been in this category in the past. This technique causes huge stress on the wheel spindle. NICHT GUT.
2) Thieves. What do they care about your spindle?
3) Lazy mechs(also possibly ignorant.) See 1.
Shops have tools that will take these things off... usually permanently. You definitely don't want to damage your suspension to take a $5 lock nut off though. Personally I agree with you, I don't use 'em.
-Steve
. You don't know me, so I would not make such a childless statement.
NICHT GUT
You use a rubber mallet, a slight tap and the socket fits snug enough over the locking lug nut to perform the loosing. Twist it slowly and it comes off. No damage (to socket, locking nut or rear end). You act like someone will haul off and swing as if using a sledgehammer!
I removed mine as I referred to earlier. I can't believe your statement of ruining the rear end. Done right, it will nowhere near ruin the rear end. If it did, it would not have stood up to my many 10 sec. runs, etc. etc.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 0
From: Branchburg, NJ
Newgene... I swapped my stock lugs w/ the chrome House of Wheels lugs, so I don't need the key anymore... Only problem is, one of the wheel locks is HAMMERED into the key cuz it was almost stripped. If I can get the lug out of the key, I'll send it your way! 
Chris
Chris
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
There are a dozen or more of the keys series. The dealer has the set of keys. My dealer lost my key and had to order me a new one. Go to the dealership and ask them to get the correct key for your car.
I agree, the socket method does work in a pinck and it will not hurt anything but the finish on the lock!
Been there done that!!
Bill C
I agree, the socket method does work in a pinck and it will not hurt anything but the finish on the lock!
Been there done that!!
Bill C
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Rwhite -
I apologize for insulting you. I still would rather not follow this technique. All of the times I've seen it done, the perpetrator was going full bore with a hammer as if they were shaping a sword.
The last time I mentioned this technique as advice in a thread, I was attacked by a number of people.
Another technique for removal is to spot weld a junk socket to the lock nut, this obviously ruins the nut, and I don't know how easy it would be to do on a C5 wheel anyways.
-Steve
I apologize for insulting you. I still would rather not follow this technique. All of the times I've seen it done, the perpetrator was going full bore with a hammer as if they were shaping a sword.
The last time I mentioned this technique as advice in a thread, I was attacked by a number of people.
Another technique for removal is to spot weld a junk socket to the lock nut, this obviously ruins the nut, and I don't know how easy it would be to do on a C5 wheel anyways.
-Steve
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,040
Likes: 0
From: Collin County Texas
Originally Posted by Pacin'California
Rwhite -
All of the times I've seen it done, the perpetrator was going full bore with a hammer as if they were shaping a sword.
The last time I mentioned this technique as advice in a thread, I was attacked by a number of people.
-Steve
All of the times I've seen it done, the perpetrator was going full bore with a hammer as if they were shaping a sword.
The last time I mentioned this technique as advice in a thread, I was attacked by a number of people.
-Steve
I remember when I did the removal, it slipped the first time, but after I moved the socket slightly one direction, it gripped and the lug nut came off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,651
Likes: 6
From: redlands,ca.-usa
Originally Posted by newgene
I just changed out my shifter, and for some reason when I took the locking lug nut key out to remove the console, I somehow lost it. Does anyone recommend a way to get the locking lug nuts off. Honestly, I think the locking nuts make no sense because I usually just keep the lock in a place that a thief can get to it anyway. I have 2 questions:
1.) Can the local GM dealership order me a replacement key for the lug nuts (maybe by VIN number)?
2.) Can these be removed easily without the key? I really don't care if I have locking nuts on the factory wheels.
Thanks
1.) Can the local GM dealership order me a replacement key for the lug nuts (maybe by VIN number)?
2.) Can these be removed easily without the key? I really don't care if I have locking nuts on the factory wheels.
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 2
From: Brookhaven Pa
Pep Boys and other Part stores carry a socket that is used to remove locking lugs without the key. The socket has left hand threads inside of it, so when you use a impacet wrench to install the socket going to the left it screws itself onto the lug and then removes it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 807
Likes: 21
From: Los Altos CA
This thread makes it pretty clear that locking lug nuts are a waste of time. A thief either breaks into the car and gets the key from the console or he uses a standard socket or a universal unlocking tool from Pep Boys.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,607
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco CA
When my key was lost, I first went to the delear but they didn't have a complete set and none would fit my locks. I contacted McGard, who makes the locks, and they told me to send them a picture of the the wheel lock and they would send me a replacement.
