OT: Security wheel bolts

[HVS]

Had new tyres put on the car today (2018 reg Peugeot 208), which I bought a couple of years ago. It's the first time I've needed to find the socket for the wheel security bolts, and yup -- nowhere to be found.

The tyre guy put the new ones on without removing the wheels, but advised me to get the bolts replaced (dealership job), which will come with a new security socket.

When I booked a date for it, the service guy recommended just replacing them with standard, non-security bolts rather than new lockable ones.

This appeals greatly to me -- it's always a faff to make sure the socket is there, and I suspect there's not a roaring trade in stolen

16" wheels for a Peugeot 208.

Anybody feel strongly about the need for security bolts?

[Theo]

£250 for a set of wheels on ebay. Suppose it depends if you park it somewhere there's a good chance someone might steal them.

I would have thought nicking them would be fairly conspicuous, OTOH catalytic converter theft is a thing and they probably get less return for that.

You probably double the value putting a good set of new tyres on them...

A set of aftermarket locking wheel nuts is £20 on ebay - perhaps just replace with those?

Theo

[Tricky Dicky]

Having seen a car left high and dry on a pile of bricks where we lived before and driving an SUV with tyres north of £150ea and that is before you factor in alloy rims, I say definitely -YES

[alan_m]

If you cannot get the security nuts off yourself then there may/will be a cost to do so. My local backstreet tyre shop charges £25 per wheel and I would expect a main dealer to charge a LOT more.

Plenty of Youtube videos showing removal methods, often witha socket and a lump hammer :)

[Brian]

I’m intrigue how he balanced the wheels.

That aside, I’m surprised he couldn’t get the locking bolts off. While you, ideally, need a ‘key’ most garages etc know how to get them off when on is lost. You can get an after market set for a modest price.

I certainly would recommend them. Even if you consider your car as ‘less attractive’ someone may well want a cheap set of alloys with decent tyres to fit on something else.

Locking nuts won’t prevent theft, they may deter it.

[Joe]

If they are original factory issue, you should be able to get a key, You may find the key code somewhere in the car's documentation, but a dealer should be able to get it.

[pinnerite]

Many years ago, about 1970 I bought a Ford Cortina 1600E. It was my pride and joy. It had RoStyle wheels which were very tempting to the criminal classes at the time.

I bought a set of Barrie nuts to protect them (the wheels). Not long after I arrived back at my home railway station (Pinner) to find no car. The station staff reckomended that I report it to railway police.

I remnember thinking why? They didn't drive it away down the railway line. But the next day the reported having found it. Intact, several miles on the clock and grubby. The only thing missing were the Barrie nuts!

Things may have changed since then. I hope so.

Alan

[The Natural Philosopher]

Fucking pain in the arse. Back in the day alloy wheels were a good nick, but everyone has them now, and if you have a steel wheel even a diddy wont touch it. More likely to steal the whole effing car.

I am concerned as to how they balanced the wheels *on the car*