Getting lock nuts off without key

[fatnbald]

I dont seem to have the key for the lock nuts on the car I bought....Does anyone have any interesting methods to get them off ? I am off work for the week...I can probobly make a primitive key from a small peice of steel and mimmic the bends and curves. I would take an impression with playdoh......buts thats my only idea..and I cant really do that until I go back to work.....looking forward to any input...thanks

[lx460]

You're in for lots 'o' fun. There is some gripper type tool that some tire shops have. but even they have trouble sometimes. doing it without marring the wheel is another story. Sorry but I think you're screwed if you cant get one. :(

[lx460]

Well....found this. maybe it will work. second one down, I think.

http://www.mytoolstore.com/astro/asthan16.html :lol:

[PvtJoker]

Go to your local ford dealership that has a service center. They have the sockets that ford made for the locknuts. I had them on my lincoln and took it in. They took them off free of charge for me so that I could replace them with regular nuts. All you have to do is provide proof of ownership, they will even order you a new socket if you want. they were like 20bucks when I had that done.

[Zap's 85 GT]

I usually use a chisel to start em turning CCW. Once they're off the seat then they usually come off by hand.

[jazzcat2001]

autozone used to sell things that you would hammer on over the lug and use a 4 way to bust it loose...not sure if they still do or not

[v8only]

there are a few methods I have seen

- the easiest is to go to pep boys, whatever, tell em to remove em. They'll do it.

-Or, get a socket that's just a little small for the lug, and hammer it on, air chisel it off, or try your luck with a normal ratchet.

-a air chisel works best, that's why it's best to go into a mechanic, as they do that stuff all day long.

[JEEPMAN1]

the air chisel is the way to go.

[gtluke]

bah just take a socket that won't slip over the lug nut and hammer the living hell out of it untill it does. use an impact gun and it will come right off.
this actually works better than the kit that is supposed to remove that lug. i have people forget to give me their keys ALL the time at work.
you just need to put that socket in a vice and get a heavy duty punch to knock out that keyed lugnut back out of your socket.
-luke-

[Matt82GT]

there are a few methods I have seen

- the easiest is to go to pep boys, whatever, tell em to remove em. They'll do it.ya.....for $78...at least the *carnation* in the lobby said so. :evil: so i went to my dads mechanic and he let me use his MAC tools and i took them off at no charge,took me 5 minutes to take off all 4 with that tool and a 4-way :) u just have to hammer the nut out of the tool with a chisel.

[fatnbald]

I hear that if they are ford or mcgard...I might be able to order a key...here is a pic of one of them...is anyone able to pinpoint them by brand ? BTW..they are dull...not chromed
http://www.execulink.com/~fatnbald/puzzleclose.jpg[/url]

[PvtJoker]

ok, you must have not read my post. go to whatever dealership that sells your car. I'm not sure if your talking about a mustang or what. EVERY DEALERSHIP HAS A MASTER SET OF ANITTHEFT LUG SOCKETS. If you ask nicely they will take them off for FREE. But you have to provide proof of ownership of the car. Its alot easier to do that then to try and fashion a socket, or beat it off. You can get them removed while your out driving around. I pass by 2 dealerships just to get to my job. Just take 4 regular lugs to replace those.

[fatnbald]

The car is not mobile...its a work in progress...Actually..I decided to read the manual to see if it indicated anyhting...it did in fact indicate the key attached to the lug wrench..no luck there...but I did see a mcgard id number on the cardboard in the trunk. Do these look like factory mcgard locks ????

[Zap's 85 GT]

They look the same as my originals. When I first bought the car I thought I didnt have a key either. I fould it a few weeks later. It was lanyarded to the tire iron in the spare tire well.

[negusm]

Any wheel place will have a "slip" socket. The inside is tapered in the shape of a cone. It may or may not have teeth (ridges) on the inside.

They slip right over the lock lug and twist it right off. You need an impact wrench to really get it done.

I have had TWO cars where the key busted right up and the lug wouldn't come off. Two different wheel shops took them off for free using that socket and they came off with no extra effort than any other lug nut. That socket will not hurt the wheel in any way.

-Mike

[fatnbald]

Thing is...if they are factory mcgard locks...once I have the key I can continue to use them

[PNY XPRS]

The car is not mobile...its a work in progress...Actually..I decided to read the manual to see if it indicated anyhting...it did in fact indicate the key attached to the lug wrench..no luck there...but I did see a mcgard id number on the cardboard in the trunk. Do these look like factory mcgard locks ????

yep yep yep.

Try to take that id number and proof of ownership to your ford dealer. They should be able to get you a replacement key.

[Evil86lx]

I have a tool that i got from MATCO Tools that you just beat onto the lug nut and twist off. Works great, dont even have to use air.

Remember that ANYONE can get the same tool so the locks dont really do much. If they want your wheels they will have your wheels.

kyle

[fatnbald]

Mcgard rox 10 bux us shipping including..they are sending me a new key. I real glad now I didnt pount the $hit outta them :)

[RACECAP97]

Any wheel place will have a "slip" socket. The inside is tapered in the shape of a cone. It may or may not have teeth (ridges) on the inside.

They slip right over the lock lug and twist it right off. You need an impact wrench to really get it done.

I have had TWO cars where the key busted right up and the lug wouldn't come off. Two different wheel shops took them off for free using that socket and they came off with no extra effort than any other lug nut. That socket will not hurt the wheel in any way.

This is true. I've got the same set from Matco and they won't damage the wheel lock either. They are useless when the lugs are sucked into the rim an inch or too though. They also have tools if thats the case. What was mentioned earlier though, is that these tools are available to anyone who wants them so with that in mind I wouldn't worry about reusing the wheel locks as if someone wants your wheels they will get them even if it has locks. :cry:

[Anonymous]

When I finally broke the orgional locking lug key, I just took an old bolt and tack welded it to the lugnut. What the heck, they were junk anyway.