Slightly OT - locking wheel nuts

[John]

Just posted this in the car ng but then thought that someone on here may be able to help as well :o)

About 4 weeks ago I bought a secondhand Nissan QX and stupidly I've only just realised that it has locking wheel nuts but there's no "key" socket for them. Assuming that they're factory fitted (because they look exactly like the ones on my old QX that I part-ex'd for this one), I went to Nissan main stealers only to be told that they can't supply just the key socket and I would need to get a full set - but that they don't specify one for that car any longer.

Whatever I decide to do, I have to get the existing ones out so my question is, given the range of tools and gadgets available to a mechanic in a well-stocked workshop (main stealers or not) is there a quick and easy way for a mechanic to get them off?

The only other thing I could think of is that I've looked at Autotrader website and there are two QXs for sale in Manchester (about 35 miles from me) so, again assuming that because they look the same as my old ones, I could see if they would be willing to let me try their key-sockets on mine.

Which is likely to be the most cost effective method?

John

[Kevin]

Kwikfit removed mine after the key chewed them up

[Dave Liquorice]

Have you asked the previous owner if they know where the socket is? Some people don't keep it with the car but at home for some strange reason...

The design of locking wheel nut varies considerably, ordinary tools may or may not be able to remove them.

Failing that take it to a dealers for the brakes to be checked/serviced and instruct them not to refit the locking nuts but ordinary ones you have picked up from a scrappers or maybe even set of locking nuts and key from a similar source.

[John]

Brilliant. One reply in the car ng just said try contacting the previous owner as the key may be sitting in their toolbox - if it isn't, I'll try KwikFit. Cheers Kevin.

John

[Huge]

You can usually get them off by judicious use of a hammer and cold chisel. Drive them round anticlockwise - don't try and cut them off.

[Alan]

In message , John wrote

Have you checked in the boot - it could be taped to the wheel brace?

[Doki]

Perhaps the strange reason of not wanting their wheels to be stolen by any scrote who can get into the glovebox? It's always occured to me that they should come attached to the keyring the car keys are on...

[JD]

That's to stop the wheels being removed once the key is found. Have you never thought of that!

They are easily removed by items found in a normal toolbox.

They will only ask for the key to remove the wheels unless it is made clear that the locking wheel nuts are to be forced off before any other work takes place. The garage wouldn't just remove them and then ask what to do.

[Alan]

In message , Doki wrote

A locking wheel nut may be only a visual deterrent for the opportunist criminal. Anyone going out to steal wheels isn't going to have trouble removing the nuts.

[Adrian]

"JD" gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

Mmmm. Let's hope that the thieving scrotes that want the alloys don't just use one of these -

- and that the owner doesn't have a flat whilst actually using the car...

[Peter Parry]

Most tyre shops will be able to remove them. If you want to be able to do it yourself find a small local engineering company or a tame model engineer and they will make you one in about half an hour.

looks pricy but would solve your problem.

If you just want to get it out and replace with non-locking then

or the similar Screwfix one. Both damage the locking nut . Halfords sell a similar one apparently.

[John]

Thanks to all who've replied. I phoned the previous owner yesterday but had to leave a message on his answering machine as he wasn't in. Hopefully that'll work but if not I'll get a set of McGards and take the car to my local tyre place for them to sort out.

Cheers folks,

John

[Tim Lamb]

In message , John writes

Have you checked the ash tray? That's where ours always live:-)

regards

[The Medway Handyman]

Below that in the ' You might also be interested in..." box is a radio removal kit - so for about £35 you can set up as a fully equipped thief!

Lets hope the scroates don't read Screfix catalouges!

[Doki]

Hah! Depends on the class of scrote. Most might bother if they can find locking wheel nuts and the wheel brace in the boot, on an ordinary car. Perhaps if you've got a couple of grands worth of BBS split rims they (or someone with a tad more clue) might bother, but not for ordinary standard wheels.

[Dave]

I have worked in the engineering industry all my life. I could get any wheel off a car well within 5 minutes. It's that simple and I am not prepared to tell how. On other things, I have seen the RAC get over a dealer bought imobiliser and get into a car that had the keys locked inside. Both were done in seconds Once again, my lips are sealed.

Dave

[Kevin]

well give your self a pat on the back

[NOSPAMnet]

Very convenient when you are stuck out in the country with a flat and the wheelnut key is lying at home .

[NOSPAMnet]

Not the one at home I guesss ? LOL

[Bob Eager]

I'd look very carefully round the car, inside and out. The previous owner may have hidden it, for obvious reasons.

One of my cars had a little clip for the locking wheel nut, as part of the plastic bit that was used to store the jack, etc. Worth looking around there.