Locking lug nuts
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 410
Likes: 157
From: Mn
Locking lug nuts
I have bought a new set of rims and although it sits in a garage at night I still drive it to race events and it will be out in a hotel parking lot a couple of times a year. Is there a locking lug nut that is any good? Thanks for your input.
Popular Reply
Jul 19, 2023, 06:16 PM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,415
Likes: 198
From: Wilkes-Barre Pa
If they want your wheels they'll have your wheels.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,321
Likes: 6,504
From: Melbourne, FL
If you ever have to remove locking lug it's, it's super easy. Take a socket slight larger than the outside of the lug nuts and tap it on with a small hammer. It'll go on easily and then you can spin it right off.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,502
Likes: 3,629
Ditto on locking lug not not slowing anyone down in the first place if they want the rims.
All you can do is make sure you have good insurance, and try to not leave the car anywhere that someone can attack it to being with.
All you can do is make sure you have good insurance, and try to not leave the car anywhere that someone can attack it to being with.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
If you get locking lug nuts, are you going to carry the key with you when you are not in the car or leave it in the car? I think most people leave it in the car. I am sure there are some thieves that will move to the easier car, but if they are prepared with the ability to raise the car and take 4 wheels, getting the key from the console (or the other methods mentioned) isn't going to slow them down.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,321
Likes: 6,504
From: Melbourne, FL
Realist is you're playing an inconvenience game. If I'm stealing wheels, my goal is to get in and out as quickly and quietly as possible. I can probably bang a couple of sockets on in a few minutes and roll, especially if it's a team. But, is it worth it? For stock wheels on a 20 year old Chevy, probably not. For high dollar aftermarket wheels, maybe it is.
C6 wheels are worth like a grand tops, and aren't as easy to sell because they're staggered. Why would a thief waste their time for something that's gonna be hard to fence, when they can move on to a Tahoe, Silverado, escalade, etc with 22s or 24s that are worth more and sell easier? Or pricey aftermarket wheels that could sell for 2 or 3 grand?
If all your wheels have locking lugs on, you're likely going to be such an inconvenient target that thieves will just smash your car instead.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 1,308
From: North Little Rock, AR
Thieves are not scrupulous people. If you make things hard to get they wind up tearing something up to get what they came for. Or they just damage your car out of spite. I have insurance to cover this type of stuff so I simply don't worry about it.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 1,125
From: Peoria, AZ
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Don't waste your money.......just like discount (who has about 6 different wheel lock copies to get wheels off when people forget their locking "key" socket, thieves have them too......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,415
Likes: 198
From: Wilkes-Barre Pa
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 163
From: Davis CA
I recently had to remove wheels without the "key." Lost the key I guess. As reported here, a slightly larger 12 point socket hammered on then off they come. The bigger challege was getting the locking lug out of the socket after it was removed. Ever use bolt cutters? Same thing. A hassle for you and other honest people.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,080
Likes: 1,592
From: Edmond Oklahoma
I use Gorilla solid wheel locks on the entire car. You need a set of twenty, I guarantee you the wheels will be extremely hard to steal because of the time and difficulty it would take to remove five locks per wheel.
