wheel lock removal

[85GPLef41]

so instead of hijacking another thread I am starting one, I also have a 87 Cutlass it came with 20x?? rims tire size is 245/45/20 which rubs on the front inner fenders when braking or turning.. SO I now I know from the other members thread is to make sure my suspension is new and tight and I shouldn't have any issues. The wheels are American racing nova's but I believe they were meant for a newer car cause I have a spacer on each wheel.

 

[85GPLef41]

any ideas on how to remove the wheel lock? I have looked into buying the lock removal kit from most tool guys but the clearance Is way too tight! don't want to damage the wheels! the wheels have actually grown on me but I need to get them off to redo the front suspension...

 

[pencero]

This happened to me I callled the 1800 # on www.discountedwheelwarehouse.com and ordered the key. At first they tried to get me off the phone like 'well it could be one of several different designs sir so without seeing it etc etc..' but I cut him off like. Its the one that looks like a lucky charm. And he was like 'oh we have that one' but I don't know if they still sell keys anymore

 

[Bonnewagon]

My daughter's Firebird had that same issue. I ended up buying a lock removal set like this one. The wheels were 17" Eagles and the tool just barely fit, but worked.

 

[FE3X CLONE]

so instead of hijacking another thread I am starting one, I also have a 87 Cutlass it came with 20x?? rims tire size is 245/45/20 which rubs on the front inner fenders when braking or turning.]

Wow, 245/45R20 tire is almost 29" tall. That is a pretty big tire for Cutlass. Curious if you have any pictures of the car from the side showing the wheels. I've been debating on going to something larger than the 17's I have now. Actually there's no debate, I NEED something larger for the brakes but I just haven't decided if I want 18's, 19's or 20's.

I've never had an issue with the wheel locks other than my stock wheel lock tool stripped out on me once and it had to be welded. I don't bother with wheel locks any more and just run a spline drive open ended lug nut. It'll keep most thieves from stealing the wheels easily (although they'd likely just steal the entire car instead) but if you lose the special socket to remove them you can just order a new one without having to match up a special pattern like a locknut.

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Wheel locks are worthless. Find a socket that you can tap down onto the OD of the lock and you can take them off. I've done this several times in the past parting out cars with lost lock keys. The trick is getting it snug enough, but not having to beat the sh*t out of it.

 

[jmerc]

They also make a set of sockets that are reverse threaded and tapered on the inside that will catch onto the lock and take it out, not sure if it's the set pictured above as I only have a few of the loose sockets. I believe they are available from autozone individually.

 

[williamattop]

Wheel locks are worthless. Find a socket that you can tap down onto the OD of the lock and you can take them off. I've done this several times in the past parting out cars with lost lock keys. The trick is getting it snug enough, but not having to beat the sh*t out of it.

^^This
Harbor freight thin wall sockets work great for doing this.

 

[Qdub24]

With spacers that thick, those wheels obviously aren't meant for your car. Those big tires aren't helping either. With 20"+ wheels on a g-body, your tires shouldn't be more than a 35-40 series tire.

 

[pencero]

Wheel lug nut locks are so obsolete and stupid. I'm sure his set just came like that. I had mine removed asap b/c I knew otherwise I would lose the tool. Also, I recall reading once that more than half of theft recovery victims w/ lug not locks admit they had a copy of the lug nut key hidden somewhere in the car. What good is that? As gp pointed out a thief is going to drive off in the whole car anyway so all a lug nut lock does is he's going to beat the sh*t out of it anyway and sell the rims regardless of minor damage b/c its 100% profit... but of course you don't want to beat the sh*t out of it so just a few phone calls away someone will have the correct key and you can just buy it online... No need to finnagle it off w/ the wrong tool and risk stripping something...