Audi/McGard locking wheel nuts
Discussion
Here's a question...
Over the last few years, I've used winter wheels and tyres and swapped them twice a year.
Having been stuck with two winter wheels and two summer wheels on my Audi a while back after the standard Audi key deformed, I spent the extra and ordered a McGard set.
However, upon trying to take those off a few weeks back (I've had a dodgy back so not been able to do it in March) the McGard wheel nut key deformed as I went to loosen the 2nd wheel nut. They were only put on in the Autumn last year, and this is the first time I've used them to take any wheels off. Unfortunately, I don't have the registration card any more, so not sure how I'm going to get them (and my winter wheels which are shredding the tyres) off.
Anyway, I took my car in this morning to the garage I normally use and I mentioned this to the owner. He said he's never had a problem with the BMW fitment locking wheel nuts and I wondered if there's any reason I couldn't just order the BMW set for my Audi...
Something like this would look to be fairly standard:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Locking-Whee...
Over the last few years, I've used winter wheels and tyres and swapped them twice a year.
Having been stuck with two winter wheels and two summer wheels on my Audi a while back after the standard Audi key deformed, I spent the extra and ordered a McGard set.
However, upon trying to take those off a few weeks back (I've had a dodgy back so not been able to do it in March) the McGard wheel nut key deformed as I went to loosen the 2nd wheel nut. They were only put on in the Autumn last year, and this is the first time I've used them to take any wheels off. Unfortunately, I don't have the registration card any more, so not sure how I'm going to get them (and my winter wheels which are shredding the tyres) off.
Anyway, I took my car in this morning to the garage I normally use and I mentioned this to the owner. He said he's never had a problem with the BMW fitment locking wheel nuts and I wondered if there's any reason I couldn't just order the BMW set for my Audi...
Something like this would look to be fairly standard:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Locking-Whee...
I used to have McGuard locking wheel nuts on my Toledo....queue the day new tyres were required and the exact same thing happened to my wheel nut key.
Anyway, the mechanic had some sort of special locking wheel nut removing tool. Bascially a socket which he smashed onto the nut with a hammer. Only took two whacks, it had gripped the nut and simply undone it as normal. Absolutly no damage to the alloy either. The wheel nut was obviously destroyed
To be honest, seeing how quickly locking wheel nuts can be removed (mine even had the spinning collar feature) I don't see why its worth bothering.
Anyway, the mechanic had some sort of special locking wheel nut removing tool. Bascially a socket which he smashed onto the nut with a hammer. Only took two whacks, it had gripped the nut and simply undone it as normal. Absolutly no damage to the alloy either. The wheel nut was obviously destroyed
To be honest, seeing how quickly locking wheel nuts can be removed (mine even had the spinning collar feature) I don't see why its worth bothering.
Had the same thing happen to me on my S4. Standard locking bolt shredded the nut when I tried to swap wheels for winter last year. Bought new set from audi and they kindly took off old set including worn bolt free of charge.
Since then I invested in torque wrench and set it to 120nm when doing up bolts. Not had a problem since then but I also make sure I sit the nut correctly on the bolt.
Since then I invested in torque wrench and set it to 120nm when doing up bolts. Not had a problem since then but I also make sure I sit the nut correctly on the bolt.
Normally caused by a tyre fitter being overly aggressive with a windy gun; when you have changed (or yourself change) a wheel insist that they're torqued by hand. Putting them on gently with a gun is fine but any more than this is asking for trouble.
We replace lots of the keys for people with knackered ones but have never managed to damage one under normal use.
We replace lots of the keys for people with knackered ones but have never managed to damage one under normal use.
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