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I have no key to get off the locking lug nuts... now what?

  • Thread starter Thread starter JustaMustangguy
  • Start date Start date Sep 30, 2009
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JustaMustangguy

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Aug 14, 2009
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#1
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #1
Hi guys,
I just bought a stock '88 lx Mustang and it didn't come with a key to remove the locking lug nuts. The car is all stock. I don't know if they came with these locking lug nuts from the factory? But my '86 had the same exact style locking lug nut so i thought maybe it was a factory thing. Any tips to getting a new key or removing them without the key? I just need to get the wheels off... THanks!!!!
 

90mustangGT

I felt sorry for girls because
Founding Member
Jan 15, 2002
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Sep 30, 2009
#2
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #2
Take it to a shop that does tire service, they usually charge about $10 a wheel to remove them. I have a kit that takes them off but it's a bit expensive for a one use thing.
 

SR1blackpony

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Sep 14, 2009
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#3
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #3
90mustangGT said:
Take it to a shop that does tire service, they usually charge about $10 a wheel to remove them. I have a kit that takes them off but it's a bit expensive for a one use thing.
Click to expand...

The same thing just happened to me. I had to hammer a 1/2" deep socket onto the lug to get them off. This worked on all of mine.
 

Darkwriter77

Resident Ranting Negative Nancy
5 Year Member
Jul 1, 2005
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Apache Junction, AZ
Sep 30, 2009
#4
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #4
SR1blackpony said:
The same thing just happened to me. I had to hammer a 1/2" deep socket onto the lug to get them off. This worked on all of mine.
Click to expand...

+1

...and don't do like I did by trying the same trick with a four-way lug wrench. I still have a lug nut stuck in the end of that one that I've never been able to get out because I was in a hurry at the time and didn't think things through as well as I should have.
 

NIKwoaC

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#5
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #5
Darkwriter77 said:
+1

...and don't do like I did by trying the same trick with a four-way lug wrench. I still have a lug nut stuck in the end of that one that I've never been able to get out because I was in a hurry at the time and didn't think things through as well as I should have.
Click to expand...

Can't you just loosely thread it back on a lug bolt and tap the lug wrench off?
 

Darkwriter77

Resident Ranting Negative Nancy
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#6
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #6
NikwoaC said:
Can't you just loosely thread it back on a lug bolt and tap the lug wrench off?
Click to expand...

Nope. It's pretty well permanently fused into that sucker. Been in there for years, actually. Good thing I've never had a vehicle (yet) with lugs that required that side on the lug wrench.
 

NIKwoaC

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  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #7
Darkwriter77 said:
Nope. It's pretty well permanently fused into that sucker. Been in there for years, actually. Good thing I've never had a vehicle (yet) with lugs that required that side on the lug wrench.
Click to expand...

Torch it.
 
9

98Teksidcobra

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Sep 8, 2009
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#8
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #8
For my 94 GT it happened to be a ford part and there were only like 20 different types, the parts person walked out with me to my car and tried them all until we got a match and then ordered the part for me. Not sure if its the same for older years but its worth a shot
 

90lxcoupe

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 7, 2003
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#9
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #9
ive used an air chisel with sucess on locking nuts
 

BigDanTheMan

Member
Aug 16, 2005
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San Francisco, CA
Sep 30, 2009
#10
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #10
I have the tool and if you live in the bay area I'd be willing to meet up with you.
 

5.0Droptop

...all those nights we shared, and you're a dude??
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#11
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #11
use a 12 point socket that will barely not fit on the lug. Hammer it on and remove the lug, it works every time.
 

Shaolin Crane

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Oct 6, 2008
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Sep 30, 2009
#12
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #12
5.0Droptop said:
use a 12 point socket that will barely not fit on the lug. Hammer it on and remove the lug, it works every time.
Click to expand...

and next time dont put those stupid lugs on im more worried about my entire car getting stolen rather than just the rims
 

Trbofox

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Oct 26, 2004
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Erie,Pa.
Sep 30, 2009
#13
  • Sep 30, 2009
  • #13
I've welded a socket onto the lugnut before. You have to use a stick welder to be able to reach.
 
J

JustaMustangguy

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Aug 14, 2009
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#14
  • Oct 1, 2009
  • #14
Problem Solved!

Just for an fyi. I went to my local Ford Dealership and they had a whole box of lug nut tools for all types of Fords and they even had all of the Mustang ones yet. There was about a dozen or so different keys ha. But a mechanic came out and took all four of them off in the parking lot and put on 4 lug nuts(which i had) and didn't charge me a penny. Pretty slick!!

A+++++ for FORD
 

BigDanTheMan

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Aug 16, 2005
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Oct 1, 2009
#15
  • Oct 1, 2009
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damn thats the first good review of a car lot service shop ever!
 

87GT Drop Top

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May 1, 2009
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#16
  • Oct 1, 2009
  • #16
I sell auto parts. We have a tool for like $12 that is made to take off locks when you loose the key.
 

tannerc91gt

This last 25% is foreign territory at this point
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Who the hell would try that hard to steal pony wheels?? Maybe back in the day I guess.
 
R

RycheGT

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May 31, 2005
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Oct 1, 2009
#18
  • Oct 1, 2009
  • #18
Like mentioned socket trick... I lost a key not long ago, and had to use a 10mm socket to get them off, so try some, and find one that can be hammered in there.
 
S

Stableboy

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Oct 2, 2009
#19
  • Oct 2, 2009
  • #19
10mm? that is only around 3/8" pretty little lug nuts.
 

Darkwriter77

Resident Ranting Negative Nancy
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Jul 1, 2005
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Apache Junction, AZ
Oct 2, 2009
#20
  • Oct 2, 2009
  • #20
Stableboy said:
10mm? that is only around 3/8" pretty little lug nuts.
Click to expand...

Never mock the size of another man's (lug) nuts!

 
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