Need quick help with locking lug nut that has no key.

95tealGT · Jan 10, 2004

This summer I lost my key to my locking lug nuts. I had some work done to my rear a few months ago and my mechanic was able to somehow mangle the rear ones off without the key.

I'm now trying to install rims and the backs are on but now I need the front ones on. I tried for about 2 hours last night to get the god forsaken locking lug nut off. I took a chissel to it and chisseled off about half an inch of it, then I turned the chissel sideways so that it was hitting the lug nut in the direction to break it loose. No luck. The chissel just digs deeper into the lug nut. Now the lug nut is just molded crap, the lug stem is shot, and I still cant get my from rims on.

All I want to know is how to get that damn lug nut off, or how I can break off the lug stem, I'll replace it later, I just want my rims on for now. Anybody have any suggestions?

HazMat404 · Jan 10, 2004

funny....just did this yesterday. well if you break the lug itself off, you will have to have each one replaced and you cant do it yourself because you need a press. gonna have to either hammer a socket on there and try to get it off yourself or spend like $40 and have a place take them off and put new ones on. i got lucky and found a place to take them off for $5 apiece. cheapest ive ever seen.

TrueBlue95GT · Jan 10, 2004

Sears does it for 5$ for each lug. I know this because I work there. They'll also install a stud for you if you happen to break one off....wink wink.

yellow5.0cobra · Jan 11, 2004

Listen CAREFULLY,

Take a size 21(one size- or one size+, 12 point 1/2 inch socket.

Get a hammer, hammer it IN the lug nut, it will fit VERY snug, great.

Now just turn them off.

Now take the socket with the lug nut in a vise and punch out the lug nut.

This will take care of your missing lug nut situation.

We had to do this a few times in the past.

If you are working with garbage tools, they will break during this operation, so make sure you have some quality tools available at least.(Craftsman is quality enough)

Gluck!
Pete

95tealGT · Jan 11, 2004

Pete, I just tried that method, and after hammering in the sockets snug, I turned the socket wrench with a little bit of extra leverage, and the sockets started slipping inside of the lug nut. The socket actually warped the inside of the lug nut. This is becoming so unbelievable frustrating, I'm probably going to do like true blue said and take it to sears and just get them to mangle it off. I dont care how it comes off, I just want the damn thing off.

yellow5.0cobra · Jan 11, 2004

Was it a 12point socket? Metric?

Those lug nuts must be on PRETTY TIGHT to be slipping like that.

We never really had a problem, then of course that 1 out of 10 that does have the problem, we have the AIR CHISSLE.

I hope you get those off without much trouble at Sears!

Sorry to hear it didnt work out.

Pete

Bryce'sStang · Jan 11, 2004

If you mangled the lug nuts as bad as you said you may need to use a smaller socket. Use the tightest fitting on you can. You will have to hammer the crap out of it to get it on. Then don't push slowly on your rachet and don't use a impact gun, Get a good stands where you can give a good, quick kick. I have gotten many off in this method. Good luck

Matt90GT · Jan 11, 2004

go to the local autparts store.

They have a new lug nut extractor for this. It is basically a reverse threaded socket.

Just what you want to see at the local parts store!

NEEDA5.0 · Jan 18, 2004

Weld a large nut to the end of the mangled lug. McGuard (maker of the friggin' wheel locks) says to over torque the other lugs to get pressure off the lock. But if the lock is mangled try welding a nut to it if nothing else works.

viperos · Jan 18, 2004

just take it to any mechanic shop... they have the keys there... or any tire shop... people drop their cars off all the time w/o giving them the keys, so they buy their own per each style of car... and FORD uses the same key for that year on all their models...

KeithStang · Jan 18, 2004

I was at Sears today and saw stripped bolt removers. It's the same concept as the stripped screw removers. There are 3 in a pack and they were going for $20. It's worth a try and you get to buy a new tool.

viperos · Jan 18, 2004

it's always nice seeing a new tool you don't already own, and if it's cheap enough, I buy it even if I don't need it

-good luck w/ it

94Blue302GT · Jan 18, 2004

i just went to my local tire shop and they had a few layin around

94Blue302GT · Jan 18, 2004

LOL, keys that is, sorry for any confusion, keys for the locking lug, not lugs or nothin

viperos · Jan 18, 2004

tire shops always have extra ones lying around... they always get these BMWs w/ the ignorant drivers who get picked up w/o leaving the key... so, if the shop didn't have a spare key, they couldn't do the work, and the owner gets pissed because they didn't finish the job (it's a messed up, crazy land here in Bellevue)

95tealGT · Jan 19, 2004

I took it to sears like Trueblue said about a week ago and they just used some air tools and they came right off. Air tools seem to be the trick to a lot of things. Thanks for the help fellas.

viperos · Jan 19, 2004

I love using my impact gun on my wheels... I always seem to jack the car up before I loosen the nuts (DOH!) so I just hook up the gun and they come right off

Need quick help with locking lug nut that has no key.

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