This doesn't really belong here but I didn't know where else to post.
I'm in trouble - I lost the locking wheel nut adapter that secures my wheels - How in the hell am I going to get my wheels off?? Anybody ever had this come up - help much appreciated as I need to get these wheels off now - thanks

 

A pair of vice grips might work. They will probably mess the buts but since you dont have the adapter you will have to buy new ones anyway.

 

Ok so if your wheels are properly torqued on the vice grips will only lead to bleeding Knuckes.

I used to face this all the time when I worked at a tire shop. This usually will end up costing you an IMPACT soket.

Take an impact socket that is just a little too tight to slip over the nut and drive it on with a hamer. Once it is on there good and tight drive it off with an air gun or what ever. The soket is usually damage after that so throw it away.

And after you get all the lock nuts off Throw the F&*%ing thing away. They have to be the biggest PITA in the world when it comes to Tires. Oh BTW make sure you pick up some lug nuts to replace the locks.

Good luck

anthrax

 

Thanks for the quick replys - something I should have mentioned is that the adpaters are male (to fit into a female lug) so a socket will not work - vice grips are out of the questions due to the torque. This is not going to be easy - any other ideas??

 

The impact socket has worked for me, worked on both a male and female lug. if you are trying to get a stud out try using a smaller socket, and you really gotta beat it on there.... but it will work. They make tools for removing diff types of either stripped bolts or studs, you could try using those, I have seem them at Sears (craftsman tool), or ask at a autoparts store.

 

Ya It does work, just not easaly.

It is unfortuante.

Do you know the brand name or have any other information on the lock, because if you do, some manufatures make key sets that the car dealerships, and Tire Shops sometimes have. That is another option. But that one is probably a wild goose chase. The soket will do it unless it is some sort of bastard lug nut.

There are sokets that are designed to remove thoes locks but they don't relly work all that well. But worth a try none the less

 

This thread makes me wonder if I know where my locking wheel nut adaptor is.

 

Yup been in the SAME situation, I had to weld a nut to the locking nut and then just get a socket and turn.

Took awhile to do all 4 but, it's simple. Never let your friends tighten your wheels with an air gun. he stripped my key.

 

Ya thoes keys are NOT designed for the air gun. The instructions actually say that they are to be hand tight and then use the torque wrench to ensure the proper torque. And it also keeps the key form being striped.