bo!!ocks - mcgard wheel nut lock has sheared off

[KEF]

not having the best of luck this week - took my car into a local garage to get two new tyres - collected the car in the dark after work and drove home 300 quid lighter only to find they've installed them with the rotation back to front...

rather than take it back in I (perhaps stupidly) thought I'll just change them round myself, ten minutes later with the car up on stands I'm left with a mcgard key that has their cloud shaped profile completely sheared off - must have been hugely torqued.

Car is due in for a service on Monday - before which I'd planned on changing the disks and pads - now I'm stuck with tyres the wrong way round, disks that will fail a service and no way of getting the wheels off.

Going to go back to the garage tomorrow to complain - but the fact it sheared in my hands I expect will be their get out - any suggestions?

[jamiebae]

Is there much room around the outside of the lock-nut or is it flush with the edges of the bore on the wheel?

You can get locking wheel nut removal sockets, most tyre fitters/garages will have them.

[KEF]

unfortunately the nut's are recessed into the alloy quite deeply - not much access for anything wider than a standard socket

[SystemParanoia]

slightly smaller imperial socket on an extension bar.

hammer

remove

[madrob6]

If you still have the packaging then you should be able to order a new key up from the Code attached to the card part inside.

No idea how long they take though so might not be much use.

[KEF]

pretty sure the only thing that will fit it is another key the same - the nuts came on the car as standard fitment - I'll try the mazda dealer firstm failing that I'll got to mcgard directly

the joys of motoring

[rob1234]

Reminded me of this retard: http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2684546 !

Your best bet is a tyre-place, 2nd choice hammering in another size socket, and failing that a bolt extractor.

Good luck!

[Emubiker]

rob1234 said:

Reminded me of this retard: http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2684546 !

Your best bet is a tyre-place, 2nd choice hammering in another size socket, and failing that a bolt extractor.

Good luck!

thats exactly what I was thinking.

[bazking69]

You can buy a replacement key direct from McGard.de but you'll need the key number which will either be on the key itself or in the locking wheel nut box on a tag if you have that?

I presume they deal with retail but we have a trade account with them and it is as simple as sending them an email with our dealer code and address, along with the key number, and it arrives in the post within 2-3 working days.

[WhoseGeneration]

Bit late for OP I realise but I always get a second locking key when we get a new car. One in car, one in garage.
I also buy 4 standard wheel nuts or bolts that I fit before taking a car for service (only in warranty) or tyre changing.
Then check tightening torque on all wheel fasteners when refitting locking ones.

[KEF]

jings, surely that guy with the saw is at the wind up!!

The key I have just has a mcgard stamp on it, but no serial number (or any other marking). I'll dig out the service manual in the morning, perhaps there's a card or something in there. Failing that surely there are only a few variants, the Mazda dealer might have a selection?

Checked the mcgard website, 18€ for a new one, 30€ for two.

In the mean time, thanks fir the advise (but I'll pass on the saw option)

Next time I plan ahead

[toast boy]

Don't know if you've sorted this out yet or not but I lost a Mcgard locking key a while ago and took a photo of the nut on the wheel and emailed it to them and they sent me out a new key really fast.

[KEF]

Checked the documents, no sign of a code (or any reference to locking wheel nuts for that matter).

I've still got the broken key, so if the dealer can't help I guess it will have to go back to mcgard for replacement.

PS just spotted all the typo's in my last post, shocking misuse of an iphone.

[The Wookie]

I agree with previous posts. Find a toothed (i.e. not hex) socket that's slightly too small (the teeth should just dig into the edge of the socket, whack it on with a hammer, turn it and it'll either undo or split the socket.

I managed to get 4 McGard nuts off after I lost the key using this method and didn't damage the wheels

Try to use one that isn't brittle, Halfords ones work, Teng ones don't...

Edited by The Wookie on Friday 5th February 08:55

[A - W]

I had this exact problem a year or so ago.

Ended up at an Engineering firm who could drill them out.

None of these removal tools worked for me.

[HellDiver]

I'd be taking the car back to the tyre fitters and getting them to fix the problem.

The key broke because:

1. They did their job wrong and put rotational tyres on backwards, so you had to attempt changing them;
2. They torqued a locking nut up too tight.

[B16JUS]

if they are standard fit try parts at the dealer they will have a tray with every pattern of bolt so they will see which one fits and order you one.

if not as above a smaller socket smacked on then undoo or mac tools or snap on for a turbo socket tap them on then undoo they work really well are not cheap but always work then do male or female versions

J

[7ommy]

Recovery companies also have a special tool for these kind of locks that resembles a small piece of copper tube mounted in a socket upon striking it with a hammer the copper deforms to the required shape

[Celt]

Get a shotgun out.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7091904.stm

[KEF]

spoke the the garage - who shrugged their shoulders
spoke to mazda dealer - who said they don't keep any keys or records (but I should have been given the card when I bought the car - chalk off another arnold clark experience)
spoke to mcgard - who said if i send them a digital photo of the nut and key, together with a copy of my V5 and drivers licence, they should be able to identify the key and send me a replacement.

cancelled my service and will use the train until such time as I can get this sorted.

glum _ but at least I haven't shot myself, what a pillock