Replacement "keys" for McGard locking wheel nuts?
Discussion
Where can I get one in a hurry?
Due to a combination of a 20 year old key and generations of over-zealous users of compressed air tyre guns, I have just chewed up my locking wheel nut key.
(I assume this is what has happened - I was trying to "crack" a nut with a breaker bar and it just felt like it gave and seemed to sit at an angle. It now won't work on any of the other locking wheel nuts, although it looks OK... I assume it's the key...)
Anyway, I now have front and rear 16" alloys with summer tyres on the near side and front and rear 15" alloys with winter side on the offside and have to do a 400 mile round trip on Saturday. Don't fancy it much with the current setup
so where can I get a replacement toot sweet?
ETA: Just seen this page:
http://www.wheel-locks.co.uk/page.asp?id=keys
Ordering from Germany really the quickest way? (other than drilling them off and buying a new set!) More worrying is that as they are OEM all I have is a 7 digit code engraved on the key (which could be a patent number)... 
Due to a combination of a 20 year old key and generations of over-zealous users of compressed air tyre guns, I have just chewed up my locking wheel nut key.
(I assume this is what has happened - I was trying to "crack" a nut with a breaker bar and it just felt like it gave and seemed to sit at an angle. It now won't work on any of the other locking wheel nuts, although it looks OK... I assume it's the key...)
Anyway, I now have front and rear 16" alloys with summer tyres on the near side and front and rear 15" alloys with winter side on the offside and have to do a 400 mile round trip on Saturday. Don't fancy it much with the current setup
so where can I get a replacement toot sweet?ETA: Just seen this page:
http://www.wheel-locks.co.uk/page.asp?id=keys
website said:
Should you loose or break your McGard Locking Key, a replacement one is available direct from McGard in Germany.
With the documentation supplied with the box that your locks came with, there will be a card with the following information on it:
The set code i.e: 27179SU
A 8 or 10 digit serial number i.e: 0Z43 3232 or 0X734 99312
To order a replacement key, simply call the McGard dedicated Customer Service hotline on free phone:
00800 25993400
They will take your details and payment for a new key which costs 18 euros.
This is the fastest way of obtaining a replacement key as McGard will post the new key direct to you.
All enquiries about replacement or broken keys should be made to the telephone number above.
With the documentation supplied with the box that your locks came with, there will be a card with the following information on it:
The set code i.e: 27179SU
A 8 or 10 digit serial number i.e: 0Z43 3232 or 0X734 99312
To order a replacement key, simply call the McGard dedicated Customer Service hotline on free phone:
00800 25993400
They will take your details and payment for a new key which costs 18 euros.
This is the fastest way of obtaining a replacement key as McGard will post the new key direct to you.
All enquiries about replacement or broken keys should be made to the telephone number above.
Ordering from Germany really the quickest way? (other than drilling them off and buying a new set!) More worrying is that as they are OEM all I have is a 7 digit code engraved on the key (which could be a patent number)... Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Monday 26th April 21:00
We had a brand new car come into our dealership last week without its locking wheel nut key which are McGuard. We used to use our master set to take the old nuts off and just put a new set of wheel nuts on but were not to do this anymore. Now we had to take a photograph of the wheel and email the photo to McGuard in Germany who then looked at the photo of the wheel nut and make us a new key. This key was then sent to us.
To me that sounded like a lot of work for nothing but hey ho. Personaly I would get it to someone with a masterset and just get a new locking wheel nut kit.
To me that sounded like a lot of work for nothing but hey ho. Personaly I would get it to someone with a masterset and just get a new locking wheel nut kit.
Edited by roscozs on Monday 26th April 21:08
Any decent tyre shop should be capable of removing the lock nuts for you without damaging the wheels, this would obviously be quicker than obtaining a replacement key. Have you thought about trying it yourself? From memory an old 20mm socket should fit over the lock nut with a couple of blows with a hammer this should give you enough bite on the locknut to undo it with a breaker bar, it's a bit brutal but usually works
Jimmytno1 said:
Any decent tyre shop should be capable of removing the lock nuts for you without damaging the wheels, this would obviously be quicker than obtaining a replacement key. Have you thought about trying it yourself? From memory an old 20mm socket should fit over the lock nut with a couple of blows with a hammer this should give you enough bite on the locknut to undo it with a breaker bar, it's a bit brutal but usually works
^This. Happened to my wife's Pug 307 and the local Kwik Fit managed to get it off without damaging the wheel - they hammered a socket over the top of it. As Jimmytno1 says, it's a bit brutal, and it did take 2 or 3 goes, but it did work.Oh, and another bit of advice - unless your wheels are mega-expensive or rare, I would bin the locking setup altogether. More bother than they are worth, and when was the last time you heard of the wheels on their own being stolen?
inlovewithRWD said:
If you have the serial number you can order them direct from McGard.
This is what worries me. Nothing in any of the car documentation, and all the key says is "McGARD PATENT No.x,xxx,000". The fact that the number ends in 3 zeros makes me think it's a patent number in which case I think I am f
ked.Is there a chance they could ID the key from a digital photo?
I really don't want to set a tyre place at them to destroy them given that 2 of the wheels on the car have just come back from a very expensive refurb...
Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Monday 26th April 21:30
McGards should have (at least if manufactured within the last 7yrs) a hardened spinner, which prevents simple socket attacks. There is a way to remove McGards, but Im not posting it here. The OPs welcome to PM if he wishes, although the tool required will probably take too long to arrive.
Well, full marks to McGard! An email with pics of bolts, V5 and driver's licence & 30 euros later I have 2 new keys!
Bad news is I wrecked one on the same wheel
What do we think, try my impact driver on the second one?
If anybody is thinking of getting some tyres fitted in Farnborough, Bromley, I can furnish them with the name of a place who overtightens nuts and fits weights on the outside of alloys
Bad news is I wrecked one on the same wheel
What do we think, try my impact driver on the second one?If anybody is thinking of getting some tyres fitted in Farnborough, Bromley, I can furnish them with the name of a place who overtightens nuts and fits weights on the outside of alloys
NiceCupOfTea said:
Given it some serious abuse with my 12v impact wrench and nothing. Thinking I will take it back to the garage that did it and get them to attack it with air tools. Any mileage in me demanding they replace them if they wreck the bolt?
Depends how much they value your custom. You can't really prove they were the last ones to touch your nuts (ahem), so best get the manager and perhaps try the firm, but polite approach, how impressed you were with their service in the past, rather than having to suggest taking it further. Hopefully he'll be a very nice man. Good luck anyhows. 
Edited by pacman1 on Friday 30th April 19:31
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