a friend of mine has some wheel locks, but when he went to rotate his tires, the locking pattern got worn down so now the key doesn't grip the bolt.

the locking bolt is circular, so there's no chance of using a socket on it.

we tried using a special socket that has grooves in the side of it that will bite into the lug nut, but when we use the impact gun on it, it just spins.

are we looking at drilling it out at this point?

thanks,
john

 

This is what you want to use. Hammer it on a bit, and don't use an impact gun. It will work if it is the right size.

 

weld another nut on it and torque that one off. It sounds dumb, but it works.

 

Welding as Mags said is the best way also the easiest

 

Here's a crazy thought.

take a socket slightly bigger than the nut. Hammer it on there. (Of course this destroys the socket but you can replace it) Then Viola!, take it off. Hopefully you don't have shitty china sockets, they'll just split.

 

Problem is... most home mechanics don't have a welder, or the ability to properly weld.

He HAS the tool he needs to do this easily and correctly (this is what tire shops will sue to remove them). Welding is definitely not the easiest way.

http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...0460&x=11&y=12
Use the correct tool for the job. This is what he has.

A socket would work the same as above.

 

but welding is so much fun, and you get to stare into the pretty blue light, like a deer in headlights. mmmm, sun

 

if u have a dremel tool, u could try cutting the nut into a socket shape.

try using the tool u described earlier but, first tighten the other nuts to like, 160 lb/ft. this should relieve some stress from the locking nut. hope this helps

 

Nice idea, but next to ******* impossible to shape correctly and to do in such a tight area.

The nut remover works! no need to try anything else.

 

scath, your rigght, I have used one of those a while back. Works good.

 

Some shops have a wheel lock removal kit to take the locks off with. I work at Sears auto center and we have the kit. If u have one there locally, give them a call and see if they can help you. But make sure they dont mess up your wheels. It shouldn't be to bad if they arn't too tight.

 

spend $3 buy a NUT splitter and stories over availible at and harrdware store

 

mm, these are lugs nuts. Can't use a nut splitter when the nut is countersunk.

 

Done it before^^^^^^^^^yes you can..

 

This happened when a guy lost the key and wheel locks were on the car. He let me swapped rims but I had to get it off.

What I did was use a 3/4 12 point socket and hammered it onto the wheel lock nut. I kept hammering it down and then used a breaker bar to get it off and it worked. I managed to save the socket the first time around by getting a thin chisel and hammering the wheel lock out of the socket and used it again.

But the 2nd time, it was stuck on there for good. In the end, the only cost for the wheels I got was the cost of one 3/4 socket.

 

Nutsplitters always split from the side. Most rims have countersunk lugs; such as the stock versions of rims. Obviously you could use one if the nuts are not countersunk, but the majority of rims do have countersunk lugs.

 

Why all these useless posts? He has the correct tool for the job, he is just not using it correctly.

Tap the part on and take it off with a wrench or socket, not an impact gun.

Seriosuly, guys, not everything needs to be about improvisation. Why use a frozen banner to pound in a nail when you have a hammer?

 

scathcart: you own.

A nutsplitter CANNOT work on a stock rim (or any aftermarket rim with out access to the sides of the lugnuts).

the nut remover WILL WORK, just keep pounding it on there... impact gun is your enemy here, you need to use lots of gentile force. If you can't get it off with a stocket and a ratchet, you need a breaker bar and/or possibly a piece of pipe for enough leverage..

 

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this:

Is only one lug nut stuck? If so, TIGHTEN the other 3-4 lug nuts as much as possible. This will take the pressure off the stuck one and make it so much easier to move.

 

Check out oregano's post above. He did mention it. Its a good point, but won't help if he can't get a wrench on it.

 

if the lug nuts are not entirely countersunk you can also get a vise-grip on it and REALLY clamp down on it to get it off. I've done this on my integra and crx, even with only 1/4 inch of nut to clamp down on, just get the tip on the vise-grip on there and then use a chanel lock wrench to turn the vise-grip. you just need the kung-fu grip to close the vise-grips

 

the trick with vice grips is to use them in exactly the same spot 5 or 10 times tightening them a little each time so that it bites in and can't slip.. the other trick is DON'T BUY CHEAP ONES.. they suck.