[marauder]

So I'm usually really good about knowing where all my stuff is but I have a flat tire on my '64 and cannot find the key to the locking lug nut. I tried a big a$$ channel locks and vice grips with no luck.


Do they sell these keys somewhere? I promise it my own car!

[Chief of the 60's]

Is it a McGard?

[Scott Thelander]

you probably have 3 to do

we used to use a hardened socket and hammer it on
with an extension you dont care about and a b f h

[marauder]

The wheels with lug nuts/locks came with the car so I'm not sure if they are McGard or other.

I found the breaker bar and socket that I use for this car but somehow that damn key got misplaced. At least the tire went flat at my house and the car is in my garage.

Scott, I like your idea. The other 4 lugs were not that tight so that may work.

[72pontiac]

I saw somewhere a kit that came with a bunch of wheel lock keys

[Chief of the 60's]

If you cannot grip or damage it, it's a McGard. If it's a McGard, I can help.

[marauder]

I can't get a hold of it. 13/16" is too small to be hammered on and 7/8" just spins.

I don't have a metric socket large enough. Probably around 22mm.

This is so frustrating, I always kept that key in the trunk but I've searched everywhere.

[Lemans64]

You can buy a socket that has left hand teeth inside for removing those. Hammer it on and twist them off. Mine is a snap on. But i'm sure other company's make it as well.
Have also used the socket as mentioned above. make sure it's a 12 point socket.

[The Boss]

There are sets that each of the brands make, heck even harbor freight has a set - work like an easy out, reverse threads on, bites the nut and spins it off. A friend of mine has a set he lets me borrow whenever I need them.

One of those things that pays for itself in lower frustration every time.

[dmorg1]

Just this past weekend I had an issue with wheel locks on the wifes sequoia. We had new tires installed a few months back and I needed a 2' pipe on the breaker bar to crack the nuts loose and ended up twisting the drive off of the key on the second wheel.

I tried the beat a 3/4" 12 point socket on but it would not bite and just spun.

So I resorted to the old weld on a nut trick.










Dave


www.stellarmachine.com

[Old Goat 67]

I like that!

[marauder]

I found the culprit, think I can plug this hole or might it be too big?

[Old Goat 67]

That should plug up OK.

[HWYSTR455]

When you have a lock that you want to get off, it should be the first lug nut you should remove, and BEFORE you start to try to remove it, TIGHTEN all the others to like 120-140 ft lbs. That takes load off the locking one.

Locking lugs are worthless IMO. Maybe if you park in the city on the street on a regular basis they may ward off teens trying to take your wheels, but most these days take the whole car.

.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by Old Goat 67

That should plug up OK.

X2... I sometimes smear a little Goop type rubber cement on the plug before forcing it in. Lubricates it and I figure adds a little insurance.

[marauder]

This may do the trick. From Advance Auto.

Why are pictures sideways these days?

[marauder]

I boogered that wheel up pretty good by pounding that reverse socket onto the lock. It just spins and doesn't dig in. I never loved those wheels anyway. Back to ground zero.

[Greg Reid]

I had a problem getting one of those off and as i recall, I had to split the outer casing and/or nut with a chisel. That outer casing (the chromed finished part) would spin if you tried to turn it with vise-grips, channel locks or anything that gripped the outside of it.
Maybe that's what's happening with the reverse/removal socket?
I like the idea of getting it off the ground and tightening the other 4. Makes sense that it might release some of the tension on the one remaining.

[marauder]

Yeah, I tightened up the other four lug nuts and put it on jack stands. Returned the reverse socket and purchased a tire plug kit. Its holding air for now so I'll keep an eye on it. Maybe give a few weeks and the key may turn up.

Thanks for the advice. I'll let you know how it all turns out.....