wheel lock removal

[82GPLJ455]

Clearly without using the correct 'tool' if we can even call those pos keys a 'tool' rofl, you thinking that you can get all 4 of those off without damaging studs or scuffing the chrome is simply preposterous...

I have to do it all the time.it take time,patience and finesse.ive gone as far as pulling axles out with the wheels still bolted to them to grind the heads off the studs to knock them through.

 

[82GPLJ455]

Pancero, these keys are not "one size fits all". Yes, if you know who made the lugnuts you can go to the trouble of contacting the manufacturer and buying a duplicate key however you usually need to have a key code that was included with the locks so that they can send you the correct pattern key.

I have also never heard of just "snugging up" the wheel lock nut. That nut should be torqued to the 80-90ft/lbs that all of the other lug nuts are torqued to and I doubt an easy out is going to work.

Your two options are to 1) buy a replacement key that matches your locking lug nuts and just zip them off or 2) buy the special tools that all the theives use to steel your wheels with the fancy pain in the butt locks. 😉

Nobody torques lugnuts except maybe sears or other bargain tire places.wheels are put on with an impact gun.four lugs get a good cranking while the locks get a quick snap tight with the gun.i have never seen a lock get torqued fir fear of destroying the lock or key.even when i went to school for cars we didnt torque the locks.


In my area im the guy people bring things like this to cuz i will sit there for hours trying to get it apart without wrecking it.

Dude can sit there with drill and just keep drilling through the lock and into the stud increasing bit size till the lock falls off.who cares about wrecking a 2 dollar stud to save 4 grand worth of wheels?

 

[82GPLJ455]

if you have a welder you can weld a nut to the top of the wheel lock nut and use that nut to remove it

First hes gotta get to the lock to grind the chrome off it.cant weld to chrome.even if you could weld to it youll **** up the rim with the weld spatter.

 

[pontiacgp]

if you have a welder you can weld a nut to the top of the wheel lock nut and use that nut to remove it

First hes gotta get to the lock to grind the chrome off it.cant weld to chrome.even if you could weld to it youll **** up the rim with the weld spatter.

I took it for granted he would know to grind off the chrome and I weld on the inside of the nut so it's very easy to protect the rim. If that doesn't work I drill though the lock until the stud snaps. If there was more room around the lock nut I use a 12 point socket slightly smaller than the lock nut and hammer it on and then use an impact driver to loosen it...

 

[Bonnewagon]

Looking at the close up pic I think I would drill out the center post and try pounding a bolt head into the cavity. Then use a vise grip on the bolt shank to unscrew it. If that failed then I would use my air chisel to split it apart. Most of these odd brands are not made of very good metal and will break easily. Just don't let the drill or chisel walk onto the wheel. EDIT: I also once had to make a 5 sided allen key to unscrew the ABS wheel sensor bolt on a Tahoe. I just kept grinding down a bolt until I could pound it into the 5 sided hole. I think with some patience you could make a key from a grade 8 bolt and bang it in once the center stud was removed.

 

[85GPLef41]

if you have a welder you can weld a nut to the top of the wheel lock nut and use that nut to remove it

First hes gotta get to the lock to grind the chrome off it.cant weld to chrome.even if you could weld to it youll **** up the rim with the weld spatter.

I took it for granted he would know to grind off the chrome and I weld on the inside of the nut so it's very easy to protect the rim. If that doesn't work I drill though the lock until the stud snaps. If there was more room around the lock nut I use a 12 point socket slightly smaller than the lock nut and hammer it on and then use an impact driver to loosen it...

yeah I know that you can't weld on chrome which I thought you could if you turned up the heat.... the locks are recessed about a half inch to 3/4 of a inch.. I really don't want to ruin the finish on the wheels!!! I could sell them and finance the new wheels if needed.. 8)

Clearly without using the correct 'tool' if we can even call those pos keys a 'tool' rofl, you thinking that you can get all 4 of those off without damaging studs or scuffing the chrome is simply preposterous...

I have to do it all the <span class="skimlinks-unlinked">time.it</span> take time,patience and <span class="skimlinks-unlinked">finesse.ive</span> gone as far as pulling axles out with the wheels still bolted to them to grind the heads off the studs to knock them through.

that's my next route!! those wheels are coming off without damage!!

 

[565bbchevy]

I would say if there is no possible way to get a replacement key by attempting to match the lock then I would probably weld on a nut as pontiacgp stated.
Use a dremel or something similar to carefully remove the chrome and any possible coating on the nut which I would probably get the largest grade 8 nut that will give enough clearance with the socket on and obviously weld on the inside of the nut only and a welding blanket and some Gorilla duct tape will protect the wheel.
There does not appear to be any room for anything to go over the actual lock and even if you could force something on there it would probably grind against the wheel trying to extract it.