Need help with removing wheel (slicer)

[redsho]

Went to my local Firestone today to have the alignment redone (annual thing). They kind of screwed up this time. They over-tightened 2 wheels and under- tightened 2 of them.

I was replacing the winter wheel/tire w/ summer tire/wheel. I got to the 4th wheel (over-tightened) and could not get the nut (security) to come off. The was the last night remaining (just my luck....). Well, it appears that the security key is now slightly stripped & cannot remove the nut? What is the best remedy to this situation? Are all factory security key for lug nut the same?

 

[Storm-Chaser]

There are a number of options - it largely depends on how much you want to spend and whether you wish to retain the factory-style locking lugnuts.

If the security key has been damaged, you can either replace the key or the entire set. If the locking lug is damaged, you can order individual ones from McGard.

Look in your glovebox and center console for a manilla-colored envelope - it contains the contact information and key-code to reorder either the locking key or locking lug.

 

[redsho]

I don't believe I have the info anymore.... :-( I probably tossed that thing about 4 years ago. Anyway, I'm just looking for a quick way to remove it, so I can put my other rims on. I have no desire to keep/replace the security key or and/or security lug nuts. When it's time to use slicers again, I will just use regular lug nuts.

 

[JoesSHO]

A 21mm 12-point socket pounded on is how I used to get them off at the junkyard...

 

[SASHO91]

I see a couple options (the first one I have used before) aside from the ones listed allready.
1) Weld a nut to the security lug....
2) Hammer in a bolt inside the security lug, one that fits VERY tight. Then throw a couple nuts on the bolt, and then lock them together.

 

[redsho]

Another thing to note... I don't have many power tools at my disposal. So, it's either cheap & easy way to do it or I will have to bring it to a tire shop place & have them figure it out. I wonder how much they would charge?

Shasho91...
I like the idea (#2)... however, I can't just quite visualize it. Doh!

 

[JoesSHO]

I've removed about 20 locking lugs with a socket hammered onto the security lugnut and a breaker bar to remove it. If you want cheap and easy, that's it... (assuming you have the breaker bar, or a good ratchet handle for the socket and a piece of pipe) I use my breaker bar to put my lugs on and off, so I've already got one... If you don't have one, you'll spend the same thing to have a shop remove them, might has well spend it on a breaker bar and have one for use later for other stuff too.

 

[SASHO91]

Hammer the head of the bolt (or even the nut on the bolt) into the security key.

Are they the stock keys? IE: open in the middle with little ridges?

 

[redsho]

I've removed about 20 locking lugs with a socket hammered onto the security lugnut and a breaker bar to remove it. If you want cheap and easy, that's it... (assuming you have the brbeaker barb, or a good ratchet handle for the socket and a piece of pipe) I use my breaker bar to put my lugs on and off, so I've already got one...

A regular 21mm socket will do this trick? I assume that the socket will be toast after this (not a big deal)? I'll have to give this a shot in the morning.

 

[redsho]

Hammer the head of the bolt (or even the nut on the bolt) into the security key.

Are they the stock keys? IE: open in the middle with little ridges?

Yes, they are stock keys. I think I understand your point of view now. I might try the 21mm socket idea first, as I may have the available vs. going to the hardware store to find the right size and length nuts & bolts. Both are very good ideas and would most likely cost less than taking it to the tire place.

 

[JoesSHO]

A regular 21mm socket will do this trick? I assume that the socket will be toast after this (not a big deal)? I'll have to give this a shot in the morning.

Yep- regular socket. I used a 12-point because that's what Sears had, and I can have them replaced if they're toast. I think if you use an impact socket, I think they fit tighter, but I used a regular Craftsman socket. Over trial and error, it's a fine line- I pound them just enough to get them to grab, but not so far that I can't get them off the lugs. You may need to crack the bolt only enough to get it loosened, then wiggle the socket off so you can do the next one (if there is more than one) but be careful not to bend your studs trying to wigle it off. I haven't bent one yet, but I can see how it could happen.

 

[SASHO91]

I would also start with the socket idea.... ****, next time I go out to the JY, i'll try it. I've got too many 21mm sockets anyhow .

 

[JoesSHO]

I still have 3 new ones in my box. I sort of stopped when I had to walk sideways through my garage which made me say "what the **** do I need all of these slicers for?" Ha ha!

 

[cetroutt]

i've pulled all four off of mine using a 21mm socket as well. had no problem and it's quick and free.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

We routinely get customer cars and scrap cars with locking lug nuts and no key. The 12-pt 21mm socket hammered on trick works every time, and if you buy a Craftsman socket, you can replace it each time you break it (which for us is about every 8-10 nuts).

K-D or Lisle (I forget which) also makes a socket for removing them. It's about $10 at Sears last time I saw it. It's basically a rounded bolt/nut remover.

 

[redsho]

Sounded very easy... but somehow I had a very difficult time with it. The 21mm 12pt socket would not go in no matter how hard it hit it w/ a hammer. It kept wanting to go in at a tilted angle & when trying to straighten it, it becomes loose again. So... I gave up & took it to the tire shop.

It appears they had to chisel it out. In the process, they said the some threads of the studs are bad (not sure if they screwed it up w/ chisel or whether damaged from trying to force socket). Arrrrh I was out more $$ than I had expected

 

[93rev2sev]

a new stud should be about $1 and installed free of charge.

 

[redsho]

Yeah, I wish that was the case... wouldn't have been too bad then. Oh well, it'd done & over I guess.

 

[JoesSHO]

red, in the future if you ever are in a position to do it again, don't worry if it goes on a little bit crooked- as long as it's in some resemblance of even sort of straight, it'll work. Also, I use a 5lb sledge to hammer it on. I straighten in as I hammer for lack of better terms. I guess it's one of those things you have to do once to get the feel for it.

But if they're off, that's the important thing.

 

[TimboSHO]

I tried pounding a 21mm socket on and chiseling them out, and I couldn't get them to budge. The tire shop was able to chisel them the rest of the way off for about $20. This was 2 weeks ago. Yesterday I cleaned out the car and found the key under the passenger seat in a ziplock bag