Help with anti-theft lugs... no key???

[jocosho]

Have a 92 MTX, haven't had it long but in process of starting clutch replacement.... just realized it has and anti-theft lug on each wheel. Searched the car, previous owner left no lug key etc... Is this an oem lug that Ford makes a generic key for... or rather some random brand of lugs from who know what auto store? ( I noticed Josh's clutch video also mentions removing a anti-theft lug.) The lug has approx 1" OD with threads on the outside, and then a winding slot in the inside. Any ideas?

Thanks,
jocosho

 

[DHMag]

my method was centerpunching the stud, then drilling (7/16" bit) thru the stud without wandering too much from center. once past the wheel, i used a long shanked punch and knocked the stud out the back of the hub.

im sure there are other methods but thats what i did cause it was the fastest way.

 

[1stSHO]

Im not sure if your car is running or moving????

If it is running and is moving, go to a tire or repair shop, they have the sockets to remove locks with no key.

Or if it isnt moving, take a socket you dont mind messing up and hammer it on the lock, then slowly take a ratchet and take them off. Then just replace them with stock type lugs.

Trust me, if someone wants your wheels, Locks wont stop them. When i buy a car, if it has locks on the wheels, 1st thing i do is remove them, It would suck being in the middle of no where and you cant find your lock key to change the tire. Hope it helps

 

[TYSHO]

I don't know if there's a "bolt out" socket that would fit that, but I thought I read someone removing theirs that way. My biggest Bolt-Out socket fits up to 3/4", but they might make a bigger one from somewhere else other than Sears (Craftsman).

 

[SHOZ123]

Can you get a channel locks or vise grips on it?

 

[SHO SPD]

Can you get a channel locks or vise grips on it?

That works great if you can grip on it.

 

[TYSHO]

Can you get a channel locks or vise grips on it?

Well if that can fit, then a pipe wrench would be best in that situation.

 

[jocosho]

thanks, i'll check the local tire shops.... as its not moving at the moment. Then I may be leaning towards the drill or bolt-out socket... though i've not seen one that big either. Can't get a wrench or vicegrips on it. If I comeup with any new ideas, I'll post it also. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[TRSCobra]

I've worked at sears auto center for close to 4 years now, and 95% of the time, those special sockets to remove locks don't work. Usually, we take an air chisel and cut the lock off. If you do it just right, the lock will split down the side and you may even save the stud. Just be careful, cause if you slip the aluminum wheel gets messed up easily.

Or you could do it with a hand chisel and a hammer, but it might take 5 or 10 minutes.

 

[Electricat]

Or you could do it with a hand chisel and a hammer, but it might take 5 or 10 minutes.

I have done this a couple of times.....it wasn't pretty, but it got the job done. Tore up the threads on the stud tho. A normal hammer probably won't do it, I used my short-handled 3lb. sledge.

 

[SHO SPD]

I've worked at sears auto center for close to 4 years now, and 95% of the time, those special sockets to remove locks don't work. Usually, we take an air chisel and cut the lock off. If you do it just right, the lock will split down the side and you may even save the stud. Just be careful, cause if you slip the aluminum wheel gets messed up easily.

Or you could do it with a hand chisel and a hammer, but it might take 5 or 10 minutes.

thats funny.. thats where I work I use a cutting torch, and melt the stud. The wheel lock removal sockets dont work that well, and when they do its a pain to try and get the lug out to use it again.

 

[91greensho+]

i worked at a tire and auto shop for over a year and all I did was take a very good impact socket that was 1 size smaller than the lug and hammer it on. Put the socket on an impact gun and it came right off, worked every time!

 

[TRSCobra]

thats funny.. thats where I work I use a cutting torch, and melt the stud. The wheel lock removal sockets dont work that well, and when they do its a pain to try and get the lug out to use it again.

I was full time for almost 3 years, but now I work at Advance auto parts full time and SAC part time. That place sucks. :vomit:

 

[SHO SPD]

I was full time for almost 3 years, but now I work at Advance auto parts full time and SAC part time. That place sucks. :vomit:

:laugh_ti: Amen to that.. I am only working there for experience, in the spring I will go to a dealership.. Sears sux. Pays ok down here in Naples, especially compared to Grand Rapids Michigan.. were waaaaaayyy busier down here. but still sux.

 

[Frankiek3]

Is this a factory lock?
I know the factory lock keys were connected to the factory wheel lugnut wrench.
Was that in the car?

 

[SHOSIG]

i worked at a tire and auto shop for over a year and all I did was take a very good impact socket that was 1 size smaller than the lug and hammer it on. Put the socket on an impact gun and it came right off, worked every time!

Greensho has the right idea. At my shop, we have a wheel lock removal kit and it works great! The ones we have are used with an impact wrench and they have a twisted pattern in them so when you put the socket on the lock it grabs and twists it off. If you have a welder, weld a lugnut on top of the lock. Good luck!

 

[schwagman85]

i lost my key a couple of months ago but i just called up mcgard. I emailed them a picture of my lock on my wheel, my VIN number and car make model and year, then they sent me a new key next day air. cost me about 15 or so

 

[SHOpoor]

15/16 bolt out ( available from McMaster Carr) will remove the lock nut like magic!

 

[92ShoOff]

I know this is a late response guys but I just saw this topic and would have helped out earlier if I could have. McGard made the anti-theft lug nuts for our cars and they can give you a key to remove your lugs.

I also didn't receive the key when I purchased my SHO but the local Ford dealership told me that McGard made the lug nuts so I gave them a call and asked them if I could send them a picture of the face of the lug. So I snapped a picture with the digital camera, e-mailed them the picture, and they charged me $17 and some odd cents for they key, including shipping. One week later the key showed up and worked perfectly with the locking lugs.

This will save you time and money, and then you can re-use your locking lugs. I would definitely order two keys from McGard though.... keep one in your vehicle and keep the other outside of the vehicle, in a safe location that you'll remember.

http://www.mcgard.com/automotive/

Hope this helps!

-Andrew