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Lost friggin' lug key, now what?

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Old 10-15-2003, 08:25 PM
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Default Lost friggin' lug key, now what?

What's the remedy for removing keyed lugs without the lug key?
Old 10-15-2003, 08:39 PM
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Default Re: Lost friggin' lug key, now what?

hammer on a socket that is slight too small and hope that the lug will turn.
Old 10-15-2003, 08:50 PM
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Default Re: Lost friggin' lug key, now what?

Its really very easy. All you have to do is get a socket that is just a hair to small. Then hammer it on - tire shops have a special tool (nothing more than an extension with overlap so it applies force to the entire socket) that they use to make sure it goes on straight and doesn't screw up the wheel. Then if you have air tools - use those and just back it off. It will be pretty difficult by hand, but it can be done.

Good luck!
Old 10-15-2003, 11:18 PM
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Default Re: Lost friggin' lug key, now what?

Snap on has a kit that works amazing. Only like 30 bucks too. It is a life saver.
Old 10-16-2003, 12:52 PM
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Default Re: Lost friggin' lug key, now what?

This kit (I borrowed from a friend who owns a local shop):

http://www.kentool.com/tireserv_WCLM.htm

Had my McGard locks off in under a minute. Scary easy. I'd bet most tire shops have a kit like that.

-Andrew
Old 10-16-2003, 02:15 PM
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Default Re: Lost friggin' lug key, now what?

This kit (I borrowed from a friend who owns a local shop):

http://www.kentool.com/tireserv_WCLM.htm

Had my McGard locks off in under a minute. Scary easy. I'd bet most tire shops have a kit like that.

-Andrew
I wonder how much that tool is to buy?
Old 10-16-2003, 03:13 PM
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Default Re: Lost friggin' lug key, now what?

i HATE the damn lug key, i took the car down to the tire shop and had the rip off the keyed lugs and put regular ones on there. and both of my T/A's had different keys so i couldnt use the other one
Old 10-16-2003, 03:16 PM
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Default Re: Lost friggin' lug key, now what?

You should be able to go to your local dealer and borrow their lock kit. Just show proof you own the car, hell just drive the car up there and use their kit to remove the lock. You can probably order a new key or set too, if you want. I think the car should have come with a key card for the wheel locks so you can order another if needed.
Old 10-16-2003, 04:20 PM
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Default Re: Lost friggin' lug key, now what?

you can go to a dealer and they will take your serial # and they can order you one.i lost mine too
Old 10-16-2003, 05:39 PM
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Default Re: Lost friggin' lug key, now what?

Craftsman socket a bit to small, hammer it on, take the lock off, take the socket back to sears and repeat
Old 10-16-2003, 10:45 PM
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Default Re: Lost friggin' lug key, now what?

You can also slightly over-tighten the other four lug nuts and then use a socket that fits over it snugly and get it off with minimal effort. We did this when I worked in a tire shop. Sometimes we didn't even need a socket to remove it after the other nuts were tightened, we could just use our fingers.
Old 10-17-2003, 01:17 AM
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Default Re: Lost friggin' lug key, now what?

not sure what your situation is..I had a flat and one of the lugs on each wheel was a special locking one that I couldn't find anything to fit it so I went to my local pontiac dealer and they pulled the car in and using their "master" keys found the one that fit and I then bought 4 "normal" lugs to replace the stupid locking ones ..I'm not worried about anybody steeling my wheels being that I never park anywhere more than an hour..won't even take the car to a movie theatre and its garaged parked
Old 10-18-2003, 02:20 AM
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Default Re: Lost friggin' lug key, now what?

i ditched my lock lugs too after some grease monkey went nuts on em with an impact wrench after i got new tires. used to take me 45 minutes just to swap my drag radials on, foolin with those pos's. now it takes me a half hour from start to cleanup. but the tire shop did the same thing for me, beat a socket on there and got em off with an air wrench.
Old 10-19-2003, 12:04 AM
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Default Re: Lost friggin' lug key, now what?

The real lesson here is that the POS locking lugnuts are a pain in the *** for you the car owner - you WILL be missing your key when you get a flat out in the middle of nowhere at midnight... , yet they would not even slow down someone that wants to steal your wheels.

I recently spent $7 on 4 stock replacement lugnuts at O'reily Auto parts, and pitched the locking lugnuts.

Best $7 I ever spent.

Old 10-19-2003, 11:01 PM
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Default Re: Lost friggin' lug key, now what?

I replaced all my locks with OEM lug nuts..if someone wants your damn wheels bad enough they will get them. Locks won't save your rims, they're only a detourant. My locks were becoming worn from being taken on and off every other week for rim cleaning ans tire swapping. It was getting harder and harder to get the key off the lug lock and I wasn't about to get stranded at the track or with a flat somewhere because I couldn't get a lock off. So now I just have 20 OEM lugnuts on all 3 of my Ls1s. If someone wants my rims that bad, thats why I have insurance.
Old 10-19-2003, 11:25 PM
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Default Re: Lost friggin' lug key, now what?

Levi,

Most tire shops will remove them for $5 to $10 per wheel. Don't mess with it, pay the professionals. It will be the best money you've ever spent.
Old 10-20-2003, 11:50 AM
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Default Re: Lost friggin' lug key, now what?

Spark plug socket then get the nice chrome lugnuts.
Old 10-20-2003, 11:58 AM
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Default Re: Lost friggin' lug key, now what?

Just go to your dealer, and most likely they will take them off, free, or at least match the keys, and charge you $20 for a new key.

My dealer went to my car, and matched the key, and offered to take them all off, or sell me a key. (bought car used, without key)

i bought the key, and have since ditched the locks.

I sent you a PM.

Ryan.
Old 12-24-2003, 03:34 PM
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I went to a "pro" tire shop, National Tire and Battery (NTB), and they didn't have the tool . I think they were lying as they'd only make $20 from it instead of $600 as they would from a set of rear tires. I'm just gonna by the MACTools LT4000C, seen here:
https://mactools.com/ProductDetails....temNum=LT4000C

Now, I'll never have to fret about losing a lug key on my or anyone else's car. It seems like a worth while tool. Damn lug keys.

PS, I tried hammering on a socket and the socket wouldn't go on. I also don't want to smack $900 apiece rims with a hammer.



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