Factory Wheel Locks - Can't Use More than 1 Per Wheel - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Matreks · 04-09-2005, 03:13 PM

I had the dealer install a set of factory wheel locks on the 17" Alum factory rims and tries on a new XR (at cost - no labor since it was new car). The set consists of one lock per tire and a drive for the locks. I was thinking of replacing all the factory nuts with wheel locks and got an estimate for installing them at the dealer ($10). I was planning on ordering them direct from McGard since the dealer only sells the more expensive kits with the drive tool. However; when I called McGard they said (strongly) that do not recommend replacing all the factory nuts. I'm guessing perhaps the McGard locks may not have same shear strength as the factory nuts so they are probably trying to protect themselves from liability. Though this does raise some doubts about the Toyota dealer as the car sales guy got a quote from a Toyota mechanic; not like it came from a mechanically non qualified person. I already slightly ticked at them for throwing away the original two lug nuts - yeah I forgot to check the day I picked it up. Paying $12 for new ones don't seem right (I'd basically only want them in case I ever sell the car and new owner don't like the locks).

rated_w · 04-11-2005, 07:19 PM

why would you need more than 1 wheel lock on a rim?

I would think that's just a waste.. are you really worried about someone trying to steal your stock rims?

BenG · 04-11-2005, 07:22 PM

they probably do not suggest replacing all the lugs with locks because it will be a bitch to take off when it's time to change wheels....

if you do all locks, be prepared for any mechanic doing work for you (brakes, wheel rotation, etc) to be seriously pissed while doing your job because it took so long just to take off your wheels.

If you want more security, just get a set of spline drives and one lock per wheel. McGard lugs/locks are great...just make sure you get the right type. I think you will need shank style lugs, not the acorn style ones.

***mistamatrix*** · 04-11-2005, 08:36 PM

^ What they said.

If you think about it, it's like having 20 deadbolts on a door just to walk into your home.

The stock 17's aren't that desirable. Only fishermen would be interested so they could use them as anchors.

Matreks · 04-11-2005, 10:37 PM

Lets just say I was more concerned with someone loosening the lug nuts than with someone stealing the wheels. Lets just say some vandals have started to change their profile a little. Although you read in the local paper every so many weeks about some vandals going on a spree up a street or at a local dealer car lot, a lot of vandals now seem to be getting their extra kicks by doing "concealed" damage to your car, which you would likely not notice, but which can get you seriously injured or killed (like the two local guys that removed interstate barriers from a unfinished portion of the highway - driver permanately disabled).

Case in point:

1. Losening of wheel nuts. Without lock nuts anyone can quickly loosen your nuts. Happened to my mom's car - wheel fell of at 45 mph. Happened to mine, though I was able to catch it while the wheel was still shuddering and only had time for the sheering off of 3 bolts.

2. Boot Cutting. Happened to my last car. In Kmart 10-15 minutes and someone cut both my outside boots. And I was parked on the end of the row, with a busy highway next to the parking lot. LOL what great police work here - someone stole one of those 10 foot tall Bob Square Pants from a Burger King not a few hundred feet from where this happened (on a busy corner, next to a strip mall, hotel, and other businesses).

3. Used to belong to the local YMCA. Wow, what did I find coming out one night to my car, but a couple of rich kids whose dad volunteers at the YMCA purposely backing the free 1970s tank of a car their dad gave them into the corner of my car, then getting out of their car to rearrange the front plastic sections of my car so it would appear just fine without a closer inspection. Although there was no damage to their car, they forgot about a little thing called paint transfer, but of course because they were rich kids they got off with a $15 fine for leaving the scene.*

*I think the best (or should I say worst) example of police misconduct would my last car, which was destroyed by a head on collision by another 1970s boat (Monte Carlo ?). Get this, the 22 year old female driver never had a license or insurance, yet the police officer let her drive her car away, while mine was totaled. She got a $15 fine also - the simple fact of not carrying a license is suppose to be several hundred dollars. She was still driving the same car the next day and continued to do so because I had to borrow my mother's car to take my sister to the same college. The County Attroney actually laughed with his secretary when I visited the office and suggested they do something. Apparently I wasn't wealthy enough.

"spline drives" Thanks for the tip! The intial set of wheel locks were McGard's locks as sold through Toyota for 17 factory wheels (an Toyota accessory).

virtualkuz · 04-11-2005, 10:59 PM

When did Iowa turn into a warzone? People loosening lugs to get the wheels to fall off? DAMN!!! I got my car keyed and ended up paying a $500 deductible, and I've had a license plate stolen, but never something so vindictive as that. You need a bulletproof armored truck with runflats to travel in Iowa it seems. Wouldn't hurt to have a manned gun at each gun hole either. Maybe a 50cal turret on the roof.

BenG · 04-12-2005, 07:51 AM

Well, if it's that bad, spline drives use a universal key...anyone else with a spline drive key will be able to loosen your lugs.

But, I'd have to agree with virtualkuz that a couple of .50 cal cannons would help.

Matreks · 04-12-2005, 01:16 PM

"Well, if it's that bad, spline drives use a universal key...anyone else with a spline drive key will be able to loosen your lugs."

Interesting! Thanks for the tip.

I'd really like the McGard's locks, but I sort of got the feeling by the tone of the McGard's customer service it could be dangerous as opposed to simply being a major headache for the mechanic. If it was a matter of inconvenience for a 3rd party I would think most companies wouldn't care and would simply be more interested in selling you the additional locks, while on the other hand if it was safety they would be concerned due to liability problems. I do see on the card they include with the locks that the form appears to be intended for reordering lost locks or tools; however, it does not say anywhere that you cannot attach multiply locks to wheels. On the other hand the auto dealer's mechanic was more than willing to attach them, though of course auto dealers might tend to be guided more by short term sales than any concern for you.

slipknot490 · 04-12-2005, 05:47 PM

Then just buy one more set of locks and put it across from the ones that are on there now. That way, they can only loosen three and you will not lose the wheel. And if it's that big or a problem or that common of a problem, be sure to check the lugs before driving the car. And like stated before, if you do forget to check, you'll still have two "tight" lugs on there. And lastly, stay on the cops asses!!! or move, lol!

Matreks · 04-14-2005, 12:01 AM

LOL! - I've decided to simply have my dad weld the lugs on. Simple, cheap, and fast.

***Tercel GTS*** · 04-14-2005, 12:12 AM

That'll be balanced nicely, hope you don't get a flat. Might wanna rebuild the brakes before hand too...

BenG · 04-14-2005, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matreks

LOL! - I've decided to simply have my dad weld the lugs on. Simple, cheap, and fast.

That's a bit extreme, don't you think?

I think having two locks and three spline drives per wheels would be a better alternative. Welding would damage the existing wheel and would mean that the weld would have to be broken everytime you need a brake job, tire change and when you switch from winter to summer tires. IMO, welding would be a VERY bad idea.