Stripped locking lug
04-29-06, 09:39 PM
#17
Lexus Champion
On The Road Again!!!
Originally Posted by e-man
Thanks for the replies guys. Chuck is right. It is the best of both worlds. The problem though is that if I'm in the mood for spirited driving and I need to make a left turn, I instead have to make 3 hard right turns to get where I'm going. 
After "breaking off the key in the door" so to speak, I tightened up the other 4 non-locking nuts, threw the two loose 17s in the trunk, and drove straight to Lexus to let them deal with it (which is what I probably should have done in the first place). They removed the remnants of the lock key from the lug nut, took off both passenger side 16s, put on the 17s, and I was on my way. And, they replaced the stripped lock key with a new one.
It was kind of funny because when I got there, the tech said to me that the reason the lock key stripped the way it did was most likely because the lug nut was overtorqued, and he asked me if I knew who was the last person to tighten the lug nuts. Of course, I answered with a smile, "Well, um, you guys installed the rear shocks yesterday, and I assume you had to take off the rear rims to do the job, right?"
I suppose all is well that ends well. So much for daddy teaching his boy how to change a tire.
After "breaking off the key in the door" so to speak, I tightened up the other 4 non-locking nuts, threw the two loose 17s in the trunk, and drove straight to Lexus to let them deal with it (which is what I probably should have done in the first place). They removed the remnants of the lock key from the lug nut, took off both passenger side 16s, put on the 17s, and I was on my way. And, they replaced the stripped lock key with a new one.
It was kind of funny because when I got there, the tech said to me that the reason the lock key stripped the way it did was most likely because the lug nut was overtorqued, and he asked me if I knew who was the last person to tighten the lug nuts. Of course, I answered with a smile, "Well, um, you guys installed the rear shocks yesterday, and I assume you had to take off the rear rims to do the job, right?"
I suppose all is well that ends well. So much for daddy teaching his boy how to change a tire.
04-29-06, 09:49 PM
#18
Originally Posted by e-man
It was kind of funny because when I got there, the tech said to me that the reason the lock key stripped the way it did was most likely because the lug nut was overtorqued, and he asked me if I knew who was the last person to tighten the lug nuts. Of course, I answered with a smile, "Well, um, you guys installed the rear shocks yesterday, and I assume you had to take off the rear rims to do the job, right?"
04-29-06, 09:56 PM
#19
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Originally Posted by e-man
I suppose all is well that ends well. So much for daddy teaching his boy how to change a tire.
), you probably taught your son a more valuable lesson than changing wheels... 
04-30-06, 07:40 AM
#22
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Originally Posted by IAGS400
They had a matching lock key for "your" locking lugs in stock?
Had them remove the locking lug nuts and just put a stock lug nut in place.
The only thing locking lug nuts do is make it hard for the owner to remove the wheels. Criminals and dealers don't have any trouble working around them.
Dump the locking lug nuts and make sure you have insurance. Who's gonna steal stock wheels?
04-30-06, 08:28 AM
#23
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That happened to me twice. The 1s time while installing new rotors and pads. The 2nd while having a flat tire. What a pain in the $%#. Those locks are crap. I watched the shop torque them by hand. I will not use that type again.
04-30-06, 09:13 AM
#24
So far I haven't had a problem with mine. I will admit I have air tools at home and use the impact air tool at times when I'm too lazy to get the torque wrench out.
As for the keys, yes each manufacturer only has a certain amount of keys. I mean, honestly you can't imagine that they will retool the whole machine line just for each different lock nut. What happens if the cutomer loses a lock? Anyways a lock nut is to deter thieves not really to stop them. Say you have 5 different lock nuts per wheel. The theif is going to see that and be like, screw that. Usually when they're stealing anything, every second counts. If they have to spend an extra minute per wheel to figure out wht lock goes where, their chances of getting caught goes way up. Another technique I've heard about with regards to locknuts is they get a piece of clay and imprint it on your locknut, then they go to find the master set of keys that matches up with the clay markings. After that they go back to the targeted car and jack the wheels. Now if you had 5 different wheel locks, they could probably do each one, but most likely they will just pass it by as its not worth the effort and risk.
Just to clarify.....No, I don't steal wheels for a living, lol....
As for the keys, yes each manufacturer only has a certain amount of keys. I mean, honestly you can't imagine that they will retool the whole machine line just for each different lock nut. What happens if the cutomer loses a lock? Anyways a lock nut is to deter thieves not really to stop them. Say you have 5 different lock nuts per wheel. The theif is going to see that and be like, screw that. Usually when they're stealing anything, every second counts. If they have to spend an extra minute per wheel to figure out wht lock goes where, their chances of getting caught goes way up. Another technique I've heard about with regards to locknuts is they get a piece of clay and imprint it on your locknut, then they go to find the master set of keys that matches up with the clay markings. After that they go back to the targeted car and jack the wheels. Now if you had 5 different wheel locks, they could probably do each one, but most likely they will just pass it by as its not worth the effort and risk.
Just to clarify.....No, I don't steal wheels for a living, lol....
04-30-06, 10:50 AM
#25
Lexus Test Driver
All I can say is "Torque Wrench"! There should be no way that key should have stripped out if a torque wrench was used instead of an impact. That is why I am the only one who messes with my wheels. I will be taking my wheels in next week to get them balanced and I will be bringing my torque wrench with me just incase the shop doesn't have one .
.
04-30-06, 01:41 PM
#27
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by csq860
Never mind teaching the kid to change tires, let's hear about when he told mom the new words he learned when you stripped the lock!! 
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