Broken locking wheel nut key, what are my options?
Discussion
A quick 5 minute job turned into a real pain in the a$$ this morning when my locking wheel nut key broke while I was trying to remove the locking nut.
My car is a Toyota MR2 mk2, so I assume the locking nuts were originally supplied by Toyota (they were on the car when I brought it). The locking nuts appear to have a thread to the centre, could this be a reverse thread to remove the nut? (can’t try this theory at the mo as i’m at my folks place and I can’t locate bolt that will fit the thread). While this would make them pretty useless as anti theft devices, it would help me in this circumstance! If anyone has experience of a similar issue, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Sorry pics are poor they were taken on my phone....first one is the broken nut key, the second the locking nut in situ. I need to get the wheels off!!
Cheers in advance.
My car is a Toyota MR2 mk2, so I assume the locking nuts were originally supplied by Toyota (they were on the car when I brought it). The locking nuts appear to have a thread to the centre, could this be a reverse thread to remove the nut? (can’t try this theory at the mo as i’m at my folks place and I can’t locate bolt that will fit the thread). While this would make them pretty useless as anti theft devices, it would help me in this circumstance! If anyone has experience of a similar issue, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Sorry pics are poor they were taken on my phone....first one is the broken nut key, the second the locking nut in situ. I need to get the wheels off!!
Cheers in advance.
Edited by rowey200 on Thursday 30th December 17:07
the above mentioned tool wont work, its not big enough to fit around the lock...
you might try hammering a socket onto the lock (but be careful, its easy to break your socket)... there are also special sockets specifically designed to remove specific lock nuts. Honestly, i would go to toyota and get new wheel locks installed.
There is another option here too. you could weld a socket or extension to the end of the lock...
I used to own a 2nd gen MR2 also, loved it, but it had aftermarket rims when i bought it.
you might try hammering a socket onto the lock (but be careful, its easy to break your socket)... there are also special sockets specifically designed to remove specific lock nuts. Honestly, i would go to toyota and get new wheel locks installed.
There is another option here too. you could weld a socket or extension to the end of the lock...
I used to own a 2nd gen MR2 also, loved it, but it had aftermarket rims when i bought it.
gtstuning2 said:
The easiest normal solution is to use a socket that is just too small to go over the nut. Hammer it on and the hammering action 9 times of of 10 will start the process for you then you can undo the nut as normal.
I've used this technique too many times and it always works.
D
Cheers for info!I've used this technique too many times and it always works.
D
Look to me like Halfords own branded lockers. Made by someone like Autolite or similar (from memory was the same company who make those crap gearknob-handbrake security devices where you remove the gearknob and off it comes). Used to get spare keys ordered in. Now Halfords only do McGard but a decent employee should know who it is.
6speedmanual said:
Locking bolts/nuts - detestable things!
First job when I get a new car is to get four standard wheel fixings from a breaker's yard and put the lockers away in the garage.
Saves a lot of faffing about everytime you want the wheels off.
P
Do people not steal wheels anymore?First job when I get a new car is to get four standard wheel fixings from a breaker's yard and put the lockers away in the garage.
Saves a lot of faffing about everytime you want the wheels off.
P
Most garages have the equipment to remove these or try a tyre supplier/fitter I bet they come across this problem all the time.
Depends on the wheels whether it is worth replacing the locking wheelnuts, the Scroats who steal wheels will have these tools to steal the wheels and tyres. Are the wheels worth stealing by the scroats?
Depends on the wheels whether it is worth replacing the locking wheelnuts, the Scroats who steal wheels will have these tools to steal the wheels and tyres. Are the wheels worth stealing by the scroats?
tommy1973s said:
Steal wheels? I'm old school and never have bigger than 17". Proper forged alloy, good quality. But too small for the fashionistas, and the chavs who nick wheels tend to be fashionistas too. So my wheels are safe. The scum don't want ones that "small".
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