wheel lock key gets annihilated

[ryuji16]

hey guys... i was getting my axle replaced this weekend, and the mechanic (my dad's friend) couldnt get my wheel locks off cuz the key got pwned while he was using it... basically it almost tore in half. how he managed to get the lug off anyway is a mystery to me, i havent talked to him much since. all i know is he replaced it with a regular lug, and mentioned something about hurting his back (ouch).

heres the problem: 3 of my wheels have locks on them, but i no longer have the friggin key. i went to the place i got the locks from (same place i got the rims) and they didnt have a replacement. he said i had to break them in order to get them off. i am capable of breaking things, but usually it happens when i try to fix things. god knows what will happen if i try to actually break something.

the guy also said i could take it to him and he'll break them for me. i dont wanna get charged though.

and for my last question... which wheel lock set should i look into getting? i know my wheels are crap, and i probably dont need locks anyway, but im asking this just for kicks. i will prolly use reg. lugnuts and just put my center caps back on.

thx for reading. hope someone knows something. if i get a flat before i figure this one out, im screwed *knock on wood*

[Tercel GTS]

go pay to have them removed, it can't be that much

[Galvatron]

Are they the kind of locks that are turned from the inside, or the outside like a normal lug? If its the outside, you can just pound a regular socket onto it, and unbolt as usual.

[I4 to V6 Swap]

You can buy a set of impact sockets design to remove wheel locks. I put it over the lug nut, and hammered it on. Then I took a wrench and it came off. I bought one for $70. They are different sizes. Napa has one socket, but the set was more useful.

[augcam]

If you are looking into getting new wheel locks Mcgard rocks. They are the best in the industry. They come with a heavy gauge steel key, it's very tough. And the locks look great.

[InTeReX]

bout $2 a piece to get them removed down here.

i don't have locks on my tires anymore cause i figured why would anyone want to steal my steelies?? (less it is a crackhead fiening for some?)


good luck though

[jhbhatia]

I'd go back to the place that sold u teh wheels. I went thru 2 sets of wheellocks. On the first one I could feel the vibs on the hwy's. Was told that sometimes the wheellock weight needs to mate well with the other lugs to not have vib's on highways. Didn't believe it (made sense - still didn't believe it at first) but then discount tire changed them and life's been whole lot smoother! so do keep that in mind!

[ryuji16]

thx guys.

its the one you turn from the outside, like a reg. nut.

if i hammer a socket onto it, will that fubar the socket?

[Galvatron]

Yep, but a socket is gonna be cheaper than anything else I can think of.

[warlock]

use a 3/4 socket bet it on with a hammer and ther it off you have to use a socket for each lug

[ryuji16]

hey allen... wheres this shop of yours? you think they can give me a deal on wheel locks, and break the remaining 3 on there?

i never had any weight problems... i had one lock on each wheel and never felt any difference.

hey aug are mcgard locks the 20 lock set or the 4 lock set?


edit: i cant believe i never asked - what size wheel lock am i supposed to get?

[ryuji16]

haha, thx man. is there anyone specific i should ask for? what kind of shop is it?

[Rapeacivic]

Originally posted by UfoZ8myCow
i use the gorilla something or other locks... i got around that weight problem someone mentioned earlier by simply using the locks on every lug. i know the guys that own the shop that does the work i cant do on my own and he hooked me up with all 20 of them for like 20 bucks... cant beat that.

$20 I paid $65 for mine 2 days ago

[88 LE]

Originally posted by ryuji16
edit: i cant believe i never asked - what size wheel lock am i supposed to get?

12mm x 1.5

Wheels have different style seats, so you'll have find out what you need (cone or shank).

http://www.mcgard.com/automotive/product.asp?page=6

[ryuji16]

^ thx for answering my ques. man, i thought it was gonna get overlooked...

i didnt think it would be this complicated. how do i tell if i have cone or shank? the site says ALL toyota - the locks are all cone, but might they be different since i have aftermarket wheels?