Locking wheel nut, point question.
Discussion
I've got a new car with locking wheel nuts and no key.
First question, Machine Mart and others offer a 2 nut Laser branded locking wheel nut remover at about £13. Should these do the trick or are they abit hit and miss?
Second question is, if these nuts are so easy to remove is there any point replacing them with more, or just regular nuts?
First question, Machine Mart and others offer a 2 nut Laser branded locking wheel nut remover at about £13. Should these do the trick or are they abit hit and miss?
Second question is, if these nuts are so easy to remove is there any point replacing them with more, or just regular nuts?
I've never used the Machine Mart remover, but I've taken a few locking wheel nuts off using other tools, and if you don't mind risking some paint scratches to the wheels (depending on wheel design) it's easy enough to do.
Locking wheel nuts work by making it easier to steal someone else's wheels instead of yours. So they are worth it, but they won't stop really expensive wheels going missing (not least because the key is usually in the car).
Locking wheel nuts work by making it easier to steal someone else's wheels instead of yours. So they are worth it, but they won't stop really expensive wheels going missing (not least because the key is usually in the car).
I've had to remove ones from my 205 with a hammer and chisel after my key broke, never used a proper tool for it. I gave up on locking wheel keys after i broke my 3rd one.
As said I've never heard of anyone local having their wheels nicked. I now normally have 4 17mm bolts and one 18mm bolt. Just to slow them down if anyone was to try and half-inch them
As said I've never heard of anyone local having their wheels nicked. I now normally have 4 17mm bolts and one 18mm bolt. Just to slow them down if anyone was to try and half-inch them
I'll try some of my specialist techno wizardry in a bit but if the internet breaks don't blame me.
The Subaru is a cracker thus far (everything crossed). Needs some low level tiding and tyres but it's 05, FSH (but ready for one) and 90k. Fleabay punt £2372. Too good to be true, we'll see?
The Subaru is a cracker thus far (everything crossed). Needs some low level tiding and tyres but it's 05, FSH (but ready for one) and 90k. Fleabay punt £2372. Too good to be true, we'll see?
The Crack Fox said:
What kind is it ? If it's an older car you should be able to smack a socket onto the locking nut and wrench it off. Worked on my XJ6.
Done it on most of my Vauxhalls. Crappy Vx OEM nuts that always jam up, then the key disintegrates. This time I told them I didn't want locking nuts near the car.Just a spot of weld on the spinning collar of the nut, then hammer an old socket on, breaker bar, job done.
Think I may have a serious problem with wheel on my Ford Fusion.
Front wheel has to come off, the McCard type Ford Locking Wheel Nut key is damage along with the actual wheel nut, tried the Halfords Laser kit - complete rubbish.
Tried an old 17mm socket, tried drilling it so in desperation I took a hammer & chisel to it, lock nut has started breaking up & not much left to get the chisel on.
Any advice would by most welcome.
Front wheel has to come off, the McCard type Ford Locking Wheel Nut key is damage along with the actual wheel nut, tried the Halfords Laser kit - complete rubbish.
Tried an old 17mm socket, tried drilling it so in desperation I took a hammer & chisel to it, lock nut has started breaking up & not much left to get the chisel on.
Any advice would by most welcome.
Jamie1952 said:
Think I may have a serious problem with wheel on my Ford Fusion.
If it's a Mcgard type, with the 'loose' outer sheath then you'll struggle with knocking a smaller socket on.I tried it a few years ago and all I ended up doing was getting the socket stuck on and it still revovling!
What you need to do is find someone that has one of these kits - give them a ring and see if there's anyone in your area:
(some AA vans apparently have them too)
http://www.dynomec.co.uk/
I was lucky and found a local garage that had it - it consists of a soft metal 'key' piece that's hammered into the locking wheel nut and forms itself into a new key, you then simply put a handle on the new key and un-do it as normal.
It's still hard work to form the new key and takes plenty of arm work.
The garage charged me a tenner.

Fastra said:
Jamie1952 said:
Think I may have a serious problem with wheel on my Ford Fusion.
If it's a Mcgard type, with the 'loose' outer sheath then you'll struggle with knocking a smaller socket on.I tried it a few years ago and all I ended up doing was getting the socket stuck on and it still revovling!
What you need to do is find someone that has one of these kits - give them a ring and see if there's anyone in your area:
(some AA vans apparently have them too)
http://www.dynomec.co.uk/
I was lucky and found a local garage that had it - it consists of a soft metal 'key' piece that's hammered into the locking wheel nut and forms itself into a new key, you then simply put a handle on the new key and un-do it as normal.
It's still hard work to form the new key and takes plenty of arm work.
The garage charged me a tenner.

Erwin make a set of nut/bolt 'grip' sockets. Once hammered onto the offending nut these grip tighter as theyre turned. Once the nut has been removed just grip it in a vice and knock the nut out from inside. Amazon, Screwfix and Frosts do them for around £20 a set. Ive had a set for years and wouldnt be without them.
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