complicated lug nuts?

[joehalford01]

Man, I had an ordeal this morning! I bought brake pads for the vette and planned on doing that today. Well, i didn't have the key for the locking lug nuts so I figured I'd just go down to the local tire place and get some new ones. I've done it before on other cars, no big deal right? I ended up going to five different tire places and not a single one had a master key! Nor did they have replacement lug nuts, as the ones i have, have a flat portion that cinches against the wheel. The last place i went the guy said he could chisel them off for me but no gurantees he wont damage the wheels, and that I would be fine driving around on four lug nuts per wheel until i ordered a new set. I told him I could destroy the wheels on my own for free if need be and to please take my car off the lift. I also tried the local parts house and the GM DEALERSHIP. The GM guy told me that even though they may have came stock, they are not a stock replacement as the dealerships bought these from another company. So, I called the guy I bought it from and I'm going over to his place tonight. He's going to see if it's laying in a tool box somewhere. If not I'll order them off the internet but what a pain in the rear.

 

[Bonehead]

Try taking off all the other lug nuts, then vise grips. You may have to wiggle the wheel around a little to loosen it up. Sometimes you can get by without even leaving a mark. ( and sometimes it takes a chisel)

 

[gassersgarage]

Same thing happened to me with a 68' Vette. I was gonna polish the rim anyway so I chiseled the lock nut off. The original owner had lost the key.

 

[FlatBroke]

Joe,
If you can't find the "lock key" at the PO's house, post a pic and I can tell you how to get them off without damaging the wheels. ( I did work in tire shops for a VERY long time.) Sometimes, a place like O'Rileys can sell you a master remover to get them all off.

 

[timbo]

We(at work) have a snap on kit to take lock lugs off. Its a inner tapered socket that you tap on with a hammer and remove with an impact in burst. Works good. You may be able to go to a local shop and see if someone has it. Its also will not mark up your wheels and nuts.
Tim

 

[Gastrick]

Joe, why do you have these bizarre issue arise? Were you an evil person in a previous life or something? . I personally think it was because you insinuated that I was an old fart in another thread. Just kidding and I'm offering no help because you already were given some good suggestions. I can't really add much.

 

[24dodge]

I`ve taken an old socket and pounded it onto the locknut , then used a breaker bar to remove them before

 

[Lakota]

I had the same problem with a set of aftermarket locking lugnuts. A friend told me that he knew someone who could remove all four locks in less that five minutes for $20. Long story short, the guy was a car thief from another neighborhood.

 

[joehalford01]

thanks for all the replies guys. I got dragged to the park all day since i couldn't work on it. I tried calling the previous owner again, of course, no answer . Typical. I think i'll just go to his house unannounced tomorrow night after work.

We(at work) have a snap on kit to take lock lugs off. Its a inner tapered socket that you tap on with a hammer and remove with an impact in burst.

I think thats what they were using, as they had "special" sockets, a hammer, and an impact wrench. If i don't get the key from the guy tomorrow, I'll order them online and try the things suggested next weekend, i'll get a pic up too so you can see what i'm dealing with flat. Replacement lugs are only $2.50 each put still a pain in the butt since i have to order them and wait, oh well.

 

[FlatBroke]

I'm just glad to help out Joe...
Thats all

 

[LordMaximo]

I found a grinder works real well with a flat stone on the nose.
Now you know the reason why you don't want to replace those uglies with new ones.
Sorry to here of the lug nut blues.........

Have fun

Maximo

 

[joehalford01]

couldn't find the key, , i'll get a pic up tonight so you can give me an extra pointer flat. The previous owner recommended gator grip sockets. I have to cut the guy a little slack, he did just move, but why it would ever come out of the car who knows. He said he'd help me do the brakes on it next weekend but I don't know. I have trouble reading him. I've got to order those lug nuts tonight though, the brake noise is driving me nuts.

 

[FlatBroke]

I will be looking for your post.....

 

[donsrods]

I had the same problem with a set of aftermarket locking lugnuts. A friend told me that he knew someone who could remove all four locks in less that five minutes for $20. Long story short, the guy was a car thief from another neighborhood.

That was going to be my suggestion. Drive to the bad section of town and find any 10 year old kid and slip him $ 20. He'll have them off in about 20 seconds. (He might also get your wheels and wallet, but that's another matter altogether )


Don

 

[joehalford01]

That was going to be my suggestion. Drive to the bad section of town and find any 10 year old kid and slip him $ 20. He'll have them off in about 20 seconds. (He might also get your wheels and wallet, but that's another matter altogether )


Don

I live in the bad part of town, after having all the windows smashed out on one car, I no longer park anything in the street for more then an hour.

trying to keep the vette out of view of most of my neighbors.

 

[R Pope]

I had that problem too, but not with a 'Vette (darn it!) and had to weld a big nut on the lugnut to get it off. Did it to all four and got some regular ones to replace 'em.

 

[joehalford01]

I had that problem too, but not with a 'Vette (darn it!) and had to weld a big nut on the lugnut to get it off. Did it to all four and got some regular ones to replace 'em.

that was the first thing i thought of as I use every excuse i can think of to bust out the welder. I believe these lug nuts are aluminum though and my welder is not set-up for aluminum at this point.

 

[roddguy]

I have the answer for you. This is how the thieves do it so quick.....and no I'm not one of them. lol. It's just something I heard and it really does work. All you need is a brass drift 6 to 8 inches long and 1 inch diameter, and a 3 pound hammer. Also one of thoughs fancy all out sockes for locking nuts. Now put the drift on the offending lug and give it two really good wacks. If you do it right and the treads aren't rusty they will likely spin off by your fingers. The premis here is that you shock the the stud and the treads stretch just a little bit. Whatever it is, this does work. I've run into cars at work where I've had to do this.

 

[joehalford01]

I have the answer for you. This is how the thieves do it so quick.....and no I'm not one of them. lol. It's just something I heard and it really does work. All you need is a brass drift 6 to 8 inches long and 1 inch diameter, and a 3 pound hammer. Also one of thoughs fancy all out sockes for locking nuts. Now put the drift on the offending lug and give it two really good wacks. If you do it right and the treads aren't rusty they will likely spin off by your fingers. The premis here is that you shock the the stud and the treads stretch just a little bit. Whatever it is, this does work. I've run into cars at work where I've had to do this.

sweet, i'm glad i posted this thread. at least one of these has got to work. heres a pic too of the offending lug. i'll try everyones suggestions this coming weekend. thanks!