Wheels stolen?
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From: DFW Area TX
I haven't, but my dad did years ago. Parked a Corvette company car (he was a Chevy exec) outside the garage. In the morning, it was on blocks and all 4 wheels were gone. This was in an upscale neighborhood in Farmington Hills, MI.
Think of wheel locks as you would any other theft deterrent device (locks on your home, home alarm, etc.). You want to make your car a more difficult target so they may move on to something easier. They want quick and quiet.
Think of wheel locks as you would any other theft deterrent device (locks on your home, home alarm, etc.). You want to make your car a more difficult target so they may move on to something easier. They want quick and quiet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,269
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From: Simi Valley Ca
I live in So. Cal but have never had my wheels stolen. Then again, I've run wheel locks as long as I can remember. Having said that, I run Gorilla lugs on my C7 just as I did on my C6. Not so much because of the fact that they are keyed (that is one factor) but more because of the fact that they are black. In my mind they are good looking piece of mind.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
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If I was leaving my C7 outside at night, it would have wheel locks.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2013
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I live in So. Cal but have never had my wheels stolen. Then again, I've run wheel locks as long as I can remember. Having said that, I run Gorilla lugs on my C7 just as I did on my C6. Not so much because of the fact that they are keyed (that is one factor) but more because of the fact that they are black. In my mind they are good looking piece of mind.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,269
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From: Simi Valley Ca
I ordered the black chrome gorilla locks. Every lug is keyed and they come with the tool that adapts them to a standard size socket/lug wrench.
These are what I run.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c7-v...torsports.html
These are what I run.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c7-v...torsports.html
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Bluffton SC via Canton Oh
Wheel locks are a deterrent and for $100 or so a good investment. But it does not take much to get them off with the right tools. Not sure the common thief will go to that trouble of be that smart but it's not significant security.
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Never had any wheels stolen. But for better than 30 years my cars have always been kept in the garage. Haven't had anyone mess with the car when away from home except for the one time I drove my first Corvette to St. Louis and two guys tried to steal the car while at the hotel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
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From: East Tennessee
37 years of driving and living in some large cities across the country I have only lost a spare tire/wheel from under an SUV.
But I have cussed out a few sets of wheel locks when the dealer forgot to put the key in the car when I bought it new, or hid it too well and I couldnt find it. I'm pretty happy the last few cars and trucks that came with OE wheel locks werent installed, they were in the package - thats exactly where they stayed
But I have cussed out a few sets of wheel locks when the dealer forgot to put the key in the car when I bought it new, or hid it too well and I couldnt find it. I'm pretty happy the last few cars and trucks that came with OE wheel locks werent installed, they were in the package - thats exactly where they stayed
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Gorilla locks are around $25 for a set of 4 - all you need
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,269
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From: Simi Valley Ca
You need to check out Gorilla locks. You couldn't be more wrong. Not only that but common thief is going to have one hell of a time removing 20 of those things! 20 of them are not going to be easy to remove regardless of the tools.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,070
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From: Coralville Iowa
I'd agree if you are talking about the ones with the spinning external sleeve. IF you are talking about the ones that are just a nut with an external "keyed pattern" on them they are pretty easy to remove. Hammer on a slightly smaller socket and apply a breaker bar to the socket. Done. You can buy cheap sockets - 4 of them or 20 of them. Doesn't take that long and the wheels would be off the vehicle.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
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Hammer on a slightly smaller socket and apply a breaker bar to the socket. Done. You can buy cheap sockets - 4 of them or 20 of them. Doesn't take that long and the wheels would be off the vehicle.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,269
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From: Simi Valley Ca
I'd agree if you are talking about the ones with the spinning external sleeve. IF you are talking about the ones that are just a nut with an external "keyed pattern" on them they are pretty easy to remove. Hammer on a slightly smaller socket and apply a breaker bar to the socket. Done. You can buy cheap sockets - 4 of them or 20 of them. Doesn't take that long and the wheels would be off the vehicle.
Then again, all they would need to do is smash the window and find the lock removal tool in the car. Still, they are a deterrent and any deterrent is better than none at all. Plus they look good!
Last edited by slief; Mar 28, 2014 at 10:43 PM.