Disklok- do they actually work?

[Motorrad]

Following on from the thread where a poor pistonheader was robbed of the keys to his cayenne by scumbag thieves I wondered does anyone have an opinion on the worth of 'Disklok'?

Some on the thread derided them as utterly useless, as far as I was aware (based on my knowledge of them back in 2000/1 when I live in the UK) unlike many other physical immobilisers these actually work. So much so in fact that they have Thatcham certification.

However there are some people on that thread who state they are as easy to remove as it is to open a door.

quote:

parapaul said:

What? The device repeatedly shown to be removed by any criminal who's ever seen a lock before in lss than a minute? Only slightly more effective than a sticker in the window saying you've got an alarm fitted...

and

clabcon said:

+1

Don't bother with the ones that go around the gearstick/hand-brake either. It's just too easy to pull the gear knob off, well at least it was in my E36 when I was fitting a heavier shifter from StormMotorwerks!

Obviously the aftermarket jobbies you buy from Halfords to cover the gearstick/handbrake are pish but I did think a Disklok would slow down even a talented criminal.

Anyone have any first hand experience of how easy these are to remove?

My contention is that unless you're a gifted locksmith with the correct tools it's going to take you a fair amount of time to either chisel or drill one of these off ie 3 minutes or more (doesn't Thatcham certification require that?). There was a suggestion on that thread that your average scrote would have the ability to pick the lock in less time than it takes to open a door. I just do not believe that's the case, maybe I am wrong.

They aren't like the cheapo locks you can just pull/kick off or cut through the wheel and remove. Installed properly by the owner they spin when subjected to force and require the thief to open the presumably deadlocked doors to get access to the lock.

Or have things moved on since I used to use one. Would love to know as I plan to use my old one next time I buy a snotter for a prolonged stay in Blighty.

[B.J.W]

If someone is determined to steal your car, they will.

I have a Disklok and hold the opinion that they act as a deterrent to opportunists. Based on the assumption that a car thief would want to be in and off as soon as possible, a Disklok is simply another barrier to overcome in addition to immobilisers/alarms etc. As such, cars without Diskloks present more tempting targets?

[HellDiver]

All they do in my experience is fk up the steering wheel and airbag cover, and make an amusing clanging noise as they roll about in the boot. Otherwise, useless.

[schmalex]

oh. I was thinking about one of these for my Land Rover

I just rely on a hidden electric cut off switch for security, as the standard door locks are not the best

[Motorrad]

HellDiver said:

All they do in my experience is fk up the steering wheel and airbag cover, and make an amusing clanging noise as they roll about in the boot. Otherwise, useless.

Mine didn't make a mark on my MKV GTi, 330ci, RS2 or 964.

You have though highlighted another use for the lock- slowing down airbag thieves.

[pbirkett]

Well I have one and I've never had a car nicked. Moreover, I once thought I'd lost the keys for it once when one was locked on my wheel so I rang a friend who I knew would be able to help, he said he could get it off but only with the help of a circular saw.

No doubt the PHers who say it's as easy to get off as opening a door are just the usual bullst spouting keyboard warriors you often get replying to threads on subjects they know fk all about.

[vit4]

Had the Escort under a year before it was nicked. Astra was attempted to be nicked twice outside my dad's, but both times neighbours caught the scrotes before they could get in.

With a disklok on both for 2 or so years neither of them have been touched. So I would say it definitely deters oppurtunist thieves, not sure about whether if it was a premium car and they really wanted it though.

[terzo]

I've had one for about 8-9 years, has never caused any damage to the steering wheel/airbag cover in any of the cars it's been used on, sounds like 'user error' to me. I don't use it that often, but when parking somewhere away from the road or in an area known for theft from cars it's a highly effective deterrent. Obviously if someone is determined to get it off they will, but there aren't many scrotes who will mess around trying to get it off while the alarm goes off. Rather than using it prevent the car being stolen, for me the most important point is that a scrote will look into my car, see the attached Disklok and realise if I'm prepared to use of those, I'm not going to be leaving valuables lying around the car so no point him smashing the window for a look.

[vit4]

Oh, and neither car's steering wheel has been damaged at all

The only thing I will say is regarding to where you put them. Usually wedge mine in the passenger footwell, had an accident and it stayed put. Wouldn't have wanted it flying forward from the back seat though, so either one of the footwells or boot.

[B.J.W]

vit4 said:

Oh, and neither car's steering wheel has been damaged at all

The only thing I will say is regarding to where you put them. Usually wedge mine in the passenger footwell, had an accident and it stayed put. Wouldn't have wanted it flying forward from the back seat though, so either one of the footwells or boot.

Keep mine in the footwell too. No need to wedge it, I find with the weight it sits quite comfortably without sliding around - thought I will leave it at home when we head off for our regular 'jaunts' to wales.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Have used them regularly for 10 years. They always used to win every test, still being on the car after 5 minutes of abuse. I don't even leave the car on the drive without it on.

I don't know if they are any good or not, but none of my cars has been pinched yet. No damage to the car except when I've been careless with it. I keep it in the rear footwell under the seat or behind the passenger seat in the '5.

[Gwagon111]

You have to make sure you get the right size lock for your wheel. They have a set of holes, into which the bar thingy locks. If you can get a hack saw blade into the gap between the disc and the wheel you can get the disc off by slicing the wheel and wiggling a lot. If you've got a tight fit, it will take even a quite handy thief, a while to break the lock. Most people who bang on about the disclock being crap, had it flopping around like a donkeys dick in a force ten gale.

Edited by Gwagon111 on Wednesday 5th January 16:57

[jon-]

Get a snap off boss for your steering wheel. Disklocks can be removed, but it's not every day criminals walk around with steering wheels (and a matching boss which are keyed)

[NiceCupOfTea]

Perhaps best to edit that to say "it should be a good fit"? Don't really want to advertise how to remove them!

[Mr Will]

Motorrad said:

...robbed of the keys...

...'Disklok'...

Wouldn't make much difference then, they'll just unlock it and be on their merry way.

Modern high end cars have such good security systems that stealing the keys is often the easiest way. An extra lock is utterly pointless.

Older/Less secure cars. Yes, they can work, but they can also be overcome eventually.

[Night Runner]

HellDiver said:

All they do in my experience is fk up the steering wheel and airbag cover, and make an amusing clanging noise as they roll about in the boot. Otherwise, useless.

Did they manage to remove it and steal your car?

[terzo]

Mr Will said:

Motorrad said:

...robbed of the keys...

...'Disklok'...

Wouldn't make much difference then, they'll just unlock it and be on their merry way.

Modern high end cars have such good security systems that stealing the keys is often the easiest way. An extra lock is utterly pointless.

Older/Less secure cars. Yes, they can work, but they can also be overcome eventually.

Not really pointless, in fact if the Disklok key is kept away from the car keys it's very worthwhile. However this is a risk if you then leave the key at home! Also there is the aspect of deterrent - if the thieves had seen the disklok in place on the Cayenne, they may have thought twice, as an owner who pays enough attention to security to fit one is also likely to take other security measures, whether it be as simple as the keys are in a locked cabinet upstairs, or a tracker is fitted, couple of vicious Rottweilers, etc!

[Faust66]

Mr Will said:

Motorrad said:

...robbed of the keys...

...'Disklok'...

Wouldn't make much difference then, they'll just unlock it and be on their merry way.

Modern high end cars have such good security systems that stealing the keys is often the easiest way. An extra lock is utterly pointless.

Older/Less secure cars. Yes, they can work, but they can also be overcome eventually.

^^^ This.

My car is a 1990 H plate. True, it has a Thatcham cat. 1 imobiliser but I'd rather a scum bag thief saw my disclock and passed on by, rather than trashing my door/s, windows and ignition system before finding out my car is going nowhere (I also remove certain ignition components if I'm leaving the car for a while).

As has been said; if they want it, they WILL get it. To me the aim of the game is to make life as hard as possible for the swine.

You never know, a disclock might slow 'em down for a few mins, giving you time to catch & administer some justice.

Preferably in the shape of a size 14 German para boot!

[Motorrad]

What I was looking for was evidence that anyone actually knows that they can be removed easily.

I suspected people saying they were quick and easy to remove were talking crap. I wondered though if techniques such as lock bumping could be used on one. I'm guessing if the thing rotates as they attempt it then it wouldn't be a quick process.

Looks like I'll be using mine when I'm back in the UK then.

[R11ysf]

Motorrad said:

What I was looking for was evidence that anyone actually knows that they can be removed easily.

I suspected people saying they were quick and easy to remove were talking crap. I wondered though if techniques such as lock bumping could be used on one. I'm guessing if the thing rotates as they attempt it then it wouldn't be a quick process.

Looks like I'll be using mine when I'm back in the UK then.

Exactly. Unlike other locks I can't find a youtube clip of someone breaking one off. Also, Disklok website says they are class leading in attack time, which you can't really ask for more than. I've had one for 8-10 years and never had a car stolen and if I lost all my keys for it I doubt it will be a cheap/easy removal unlike my previous ones I've broken off with crowbar and force.