Greaaaaaaattttt...

Back in January when my Pony was crashed the body shop replaced my damaged Fanblade. No big deal right?

Found out that they didn't give me back my wheel lock key today the hard way - when I left the office I was greeted by a flat tire! "No big deal" I think, and get ready to change out the tire... then I realize that THERE IS NO KEY!!!

The body shop was the last one to have it, and they claim to know nothing about its current location.

So here is my problem: HOW DO I GET THE WHEEL LOCKS OFF THE CAR?!?!?

Advice anyone? I don't want to thrash my Fanblades.

UPDATED TITLE FOR SEARCHABILITY!
Kc Admin

 

You should have a number on the documents that came with your wheel locks. Use that number to contact the manufacturer to get a replacement key.

 

And what if your like myself who bought the car used and the lock kit came with no paperwork?

 

You can do one of two things:

1) Go to a local tire shop and ask them if you can borrow the tool to remove wheel locks (that's if you know that tire shop well)
2) Get a socket that's just SLIGHTLY smaller than the lug nut. What will happen is that the socket will actually conform around the lug nut and take it off. Basically, the hex pattern engraves itself in the lugnut, while at the same time (hopefully) loosening it up enough so that it can be removed.

I will warn though: do with caution and understand that you *may* do worse damage. Also, your socket may become shot.

 

Find a shop that has the tools that will get them off and replace the locks. I used to work for a tire shop and there are tools available that can get wheel locks off without a key.

 

Some tire shops have seen this often enough to have a socket with sharp splines in it that is just about the right size.
They pound it on and turn off the lug lock.
You may be able to build your own from a socket or find a shop that has a tool.
A dremel tool can also be used to slowly build points onto the outside of the lug lock until it can work like a regular nut.

 

I don't know about the fanblades, but if they are like the 18" polished bullits, the locking lug nut is next to useless IMO. My locking lug nut sticks out so far you could easily get a pipe wrench or vise grips on the lug nut and take it off. Also, I have used the socket trick. You find a slightly smaller socket and hammer it on. FYI - You will probably end up ruining the socket.

 

I'm not sure what kind of wheel locks they use, but would the Gator Grip gimmick help?

 

Probably not, because I don't think that the Gator grip works well on round bolts.

The wheel locks are typically cylindrical with the little engraving in the lug nut that you put the adapter on. That's why you can put a smaller sized socket on to it...to let the angles of the socket dig into the lugnut to turn it enough to get it loose.

 

Tire shop, remove locks, get regular nuts. Locks are a waste of money imo, unless they are gorilla locks.

 

**** that sucks

 

They are recessed

 

Could a hole be drilled in the center of it tap it stick in a bolt , and then try to twist it out ?

 

[quote=mikes rx;906928]Probably not, because I don't think that the Gator grip works well on round bolts.

The wheel locks are typically cylindrical with the little engraving in the lug nut that you put the adapter on.quote]

Would the Gator pins have enough bite into the engraved section? Anyone got one of these want to give it a try?

 

Samething happen on a Van that I had, plus it was in the middle of the Winter. I used a 1/4" socket (Craftmans Sears) and hammer it onto the star pattern of the lock design. I got the wheel off, the lock nut was toast and the socket was returned to Sears for a new one. I also took off all the rest of the locks after I reorder the correct tool and throw them all away

 

Just pound a socket on there, had to do this on my fox despite having the key, the pattern had worn out and would no longer get enough bite to turn the lug nut. Wheel locks are a waste and a pain.

 

I lost my key also. No flat yet but I'm waiting lol. Pounding a socket on is the most popular way to get them off. I think on my rims vice grips would do the trick. If you need to you can weld a bolt to the lug nut then use a socket to get it off. Of course taking care and covering the rest of the rim so it doesn't get damaged.

 

Thanks guys for the suggestions!

The local Goodyear "didn't want the responsibility" of possibly damaging the Fanblades during their removal attempt and told me they couldn't do it.

What is this Gator Grip thingee and where do I get one? That sounds like it may be my best bet. I don't have a welder or I would try the bolt procedure.

So wheel locks are a waste of time?

 

Gator grip is a socket with a bunch of spring-loaded pins inside, as you push it on hopefully several of the pins will fit into the pattern on your lock and allow you to twist it off. Not sure where to get it now, there were info-mercials for these years ago. Pep-Boys or whatever autoparts chain you have might have them, or maybe Lowes or Home Depot?

Here's a link from a quick google search.

http://www.seenontv.com/prod-pages/gatorgrip.html

 

Sears sells them:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

Personally I'd never say that wheel locks are a waste of time. They're simply a pain in the !@#^ sometimes. Personally I'd rather have them on the car than risk coming out to the car and finding it wheel-less and on blocks. To each their own I suppose...