alpine7572

Hey guys,

I had new tires put on my car and they broke the lock key- So I got a new key and tried to unbolt the lugs. I found out they where on about 180 lbs per lug. I was like Mother F-er. So I was able to get 2 loose and then cracked the new key and break the face of the lug lock so now I can't get it off.

So what can I do?

I was thinking about sawing the lug off. Theres no way to get anything around the lug. *****!! I'm pissed. I can't get the tire place to get it off b/c it was a favor- Free mount and balance- Family friend type deal. I wasn't there when he put it on.

THanks
Mike

salimshah

Take it back to the shop where they tightened the nuts.

Try putting back the other lug nuts to relieve some pressure/tension on the keyed lug nut.

Sawing off is going to be hard/impossible with the wheel on. Shop may have something to grab the nut. If there is a room to strike the nut/bolt assemply, may be it can be broken off. [No idea how bad a damage it may cause ... heard of this technique being used for stealing the wheels ... but those guys are not concerned about the collateral damage.]

Advice for all .... torque the lock/keyed lug nut the last during install, and loosen the keyed lug nut first. And do not forget to use the anti rust compound sparingly.

Salim

Lexmexico

I had the problem that when I moved down here, I could not find the key to unlock the wheel lock. This was when I was buying my brand new 235 CX-Terrains. Needless to say I was p----d. However, since I was not going to do anything with the old tires, we took the air out of them and then used a propane torch on the locks. We attached a piece of metal to cover the rest of my rim. Afterwards we sprayed the area with cold water and used a hammer. Sure enough, the lock was broken. I was going to Miami the next week so I picked up some wheel locks there. Leave it to the Mexicans to figure out a solution (and no damage in the process).

badams

Removing wheel locks without the key is EASY. Find a socket the same size and pound it on the lock with a hammer/mallet. Then insert your rachet/torque wrench/breaker bar and remove it. After the lock is off, you can stick it in a vice and then wiggle or pound the socket back off.

This is a technique theives and cheap wheel shops use. Better shops have a special tool for doing it.

badams

alpine7572

I went and bought this off my MAC Tool guy today. The one on the left. A 1/2 extended breaker bar is used with it. He said this will work all the time
$30

Thanks Guys
Mike

ederny

Hey, those MAC tools look great! Another trick for tight bolts I've used is to drive around the block with your foot on the brakes enough to heat up the hub and expand the bolts. By the time you jack up the wheel the bolts a re a bit easier to break loose. It has made the difference between breaking the breaker bar and getting the lug off.

KayGee

Another reason why I think that wheel locks are more trouble than they are worth.

HiTechRX

After seeing that MAC tool picture, I have much less faith in wheel locks now. Seems like it might be easier to pull the lock than the lugs using that tool.

Our Lexus came with factory wheel locks already on it, as a "standard" Port-Installed (non-)option.
We'll stick to keeping it parked in safe places during the day and garaged at night.

- HiTechRX

jeffknet

me dumb wheel lock guy....

are the wheel locks unique to each vehicle?

Lexmexico

With the McGard used on Lexus and Toyota that is the case, but apparently there are master keys.

AudioMan

I broke the keyed lug on my wife's RX when trying to rotate the tires. They were torqued way too tight. She took it back to Lexus and demanded they replace all the locking nuts with regular one's.

They did it free of charge and took off the broken one too.

This would have happened to anyone who tried to take the whee off next.

Look at it this way, if the wheels were actually stolen (which I really doubt RX300 wheels are in high demand), then an insurance claim of $100 (our deductible) would get new wheels, and new tires. Almost a deal if you ask me.