Lost wheel lock key
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 392
Likes: 5
From: Almost Heaven WV
Lost wheel lock key
I have an '11 GS vert with the GM accessory wheel locks and in a collosal brain fart, I can't find the key chuck to get them off. I was sure I put it in the glove compartment but NOOOOOOOOOO !! I have searched everywhere but no luck. I am calling the dealer tomorrow since I need a TPMS serviced anyway. Any suggestions?
It's hell getting old and forgetting and losing stuff.
It's hell getting old and forgetting and losing stuff.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Sometimes a larger tire shop will have a set of "keys" for a variety of different lug nuts.
Might be worth a few phone calls.
They also may have a way of getting the lock off by using a socket that will bite into the nut. Of course the nut is damaged/destroyed in the process.
Might be worth a few phone calls.
They also may have a way of getting the lock off by using a socket that will bite into the nut. Of course the nut is damaged/destroyed in the process.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 37
From: skiatook oklahoma
check with your dealership. there is a code in the folder of all your manuals and stuff. with that they can order a key for you. i found that out when my dealership lost my key. in my case i had a flat and didnt want to wait so i had the tire repair place remove my key lugs, they pounded on a socket and removed them, destroyes the lugs but i didnt want to wait.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
I agree with trying to track down the key code card first. It may be in your purchase ducuments already, or maybe the dealer has a record of it. This is really the best way, as the Tire dealer hammer on gripper sockets, may slip, and cause wheel damage. While maybe a bit late now, I always order an extra key, to hang on the basement wall, along with a copy of the key card. The original key should have been stored in the car all along. By luck, my other car uses the same key and code, so would really have to bumble around here, to lose all of this.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
From: Miami Florida
All of the above are good ideas.
You can find this at Sears: "corvette, GM body wheel lock remover"
http://www.sears.com/sunex-wheel-and...3&blockType=G3
You can find this at Sears: "corvette, GM body wheel lock remover"
http://www.sears.com/sunex-wheel-and...3&blockType=G3
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,459
Likes: 18
From: Oviedo,FL. Las Vegas
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 584
Likes: 13
From: Eugene Oregon
I just ran into the same problem. Tried several auto parts stores and tire stores. No luck. I did the socket deal. Found a six point metric that was just to tight to fit over the nut. Hammered it on to the nut and backed it out. All four came off easily. Now, if I can just put the key to the new locks where I can find it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 4
From: 34°0′34″N 95°30′53″W Indian Territory
I haven't personally tried this but I'm thinking a "King Gator" Gator Grip socket *might* do the trick in a pinch. I have a regular Gator Grip that works well on odd shaped items I need to turn for whatever reason. I noticed recently they have came out with the King Gator that is larger in diameter. Just now I pulled up their web page and it appears that the King Gator might fit over a wheel lock (on items up to 1-1/4" in diameter) and the pins should extend into the crevices or around ridges of a wheel lock.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Really not getting this, as been using McGard locks for years, with no problem ordering extra keys. Transferred the same set of wheel locks to three seperate cars over time, removing them several times, on/off. They'll probably outlive us all. Don't think removing hardened wheel locks is all that easy of an affair, even with special gripper sockets. Surely it can be done, but usually involve's lots of hard/noisy hammering. Kinda think, this may cause some attention in a quiet driveway at 2 o'clock in the morning.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 694
Likes: 3
From: West Linn OR
Why make it easy for someone?
I have never seen a wheel lock that didn't have a registration form with a key number.
I have always attached my key to the lug wrench with a zip tie. But with the Corvette with no spare or jack I keep it in a bag with my jacking pucks.
Don't know about to today but years ago wheel locks did not have that many different lock configurations.I can remember my first set took a regular key and we found out just about any keyif it would fit in the opening would unlock them.
I have never seen a wheel lock that didn't have a registration form with a key number.
I have always attached my key to the lug wrench with a zip tie. But with the Corvette with no spare or jack I keep it in a bag with my jacking pucks.
Don't know about to today but years ago wheel locks did not have that many different lock configurations.I can remember my first set took a regular key and we found out just about any keyif it would fit in the opening would unlock them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
A full set of sockets to remove every brand isn't that expensive. Any good or even mediocre tire shop will have a set. See Sunex 2840.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
Wheel locks are not a factory item. GM brands various locks that dealers sell for a little extra profit. Since they are not a factory item any more there is no specific place to keep the key.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 508
From: Oshawa, Ontario
quite a few GM dealers have sets of master keys for our wheel locks. had flat at home in garage and went to dealer 4 or 5 blocks from home and asked to borrow. dealer was good enough to lend them to me. Cliff Mills Pontiac Buick, Oshawa Ontario