Locking Wheel Nut Removal!

12th September 2012, 11:29

I need to get the locking wheel nuts off on my VTS and I've not got the key. I've tried using a reverse thread socket but the nut has a revolving sleeve on it and most sockets are to thick to fit down the hole to the nut. I've also tried drilling it out but the drill bits are not touching it. My only other option is to cut the wheels off! But this would be my last resort.
Has anyone got any other ideas?
Thanks in advance

12th September 2012, 11:34

Oxyacetylene torch it off is the only real solution im afraid, had exactly the same problem with mine. If used carefully it shouldn't cause much damage to the wheel.

12th September 2012, 11:41

I don't really get how you'd burn it off with it being so deep in the wheel due to the offset?

12th September 2012, 11:56

It works! as stated earlier I've had it done and it was successfull

12th September 2012, 12:01

OK, thanks. I'll have to try and find someone with burning gear to give it a go then

12th September 2012, 13:37

i had the same problem but my dad has the kit to remove it and it basically just smashes the nut then screws off. some garages should have the kit and shouldnt charge to much to remove it

12th September 2012, 14:30

Any good motor factor will sell you a locking wheel nut removal kit mate.

12th September 2012, 14:41

I've never used it but Titch has a tool like a bar with a "slightly smaller than the locknut" socket on the end. You SMASH it over the locknut, even if it's got a swivel top, just smash the fuck out of it. Once it's on the nut, it can reverse off. I remember him saying there's nothing that wont get off! Don't remember the tool but I think I'd prefer that to oxy inside the wheel nut hole!

12th September 2012, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by crutchs

i had the same problem but my dad has the kit to remove it and it basically just smashes the nut then screws off. some garages should have the kit and shouldnt charge to much to remove it

I bought a kit from Halfords and borrowed a kit from my local garage, but both were a reverse threaded socket. Does that sound the same as your dads?

12th September 2012, 14:42

As Ross said, oxy is pretty much the last thing i'd do before cutting it off, though i'm still not sure what you'd gain from heating it up as you'll still have to smash a socket on it anyway

12th September 2012, 14:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baz

As Ross said, oxy is pretty much the last thing i'd do before cutting it off, though i'm still not sure what you'd gain from heating it up as you'll still have to smash a socket on it anyway

Well when the guy did mine, he said he heated it soo much it cracked and knocked out easily then

12th September 2012, 14:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baz

As Ross said, oxy is pretty much the last thing i'd do before cutting it off, though i'm still not sure what you'd gain from heating it up as you'll still have to smash a socket on it anyway

I think you'd have to actually melt the head of the nut off, perhaps leaving just a stump of the nut threaded bit, which once the wheel is off, you can get something on and remove. But damn, molten metal in the hole? no thanks.

12th September 2012, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

I think you'd have to actually melt the head of the nut off, perhaps leaving just a stump of the nut threaded bit, which once the wheel is off, you can get something on and remove. But damn, molten metal in the hole? no thanks.

Ah ok, even so! not an idea i'd like to try out! I'd be attempting to remove the washer type thing on the outside of the locking nut then try smash a socket on it.
I remember a tutor of mine saying someone was hammering the shit of the car doing whatever it was with a sledge hammer or as good as when the airbag blew lmao

12th September 2012, 14:48

really? I remember mythbusters testing that - basically smashed the shit out of a car (myth was about breaking into the car iirc), they upped the anti again and again and couldn't get the fucker to go off! hehe

12th September 2012, 14:51

I was literally running out of options at this point mind, tried drilling the centre and putting an extractor tool in there but the tool got stuck in there (someone had obviously done it up too tight).

There was a little burn damage to the wheel but they were being sprayed anyway so wasn't too worried about it.

12th September 2012, 16:20

Thanks for the help everyone. I'm going to be changing the alloys anyway at some point, so I think I'm going to take a 9" grinder to them and cut my losses! Their only TSW Alpines and are a bit on the rough side anyway. I think paying someone else to get them off for me is going to be more than the wheels are worth.

12th September 2012, 16:26

if you're sacrificing the wheels, grind a wedge out of the wheel with the grinder, enough so you can get a chisel in there, and just smash the lock nut round with a mallet and chisel.

12th September 2012, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

if you're sacrificing the wheels, grind a wedge out of the wheel with the grinder, enough so you can get a chisel in there, and just smash the lock nut round with a mallet and chisel.

And get lots of pictures so we can see you smash the wheel to bits!

12th September 2012, 16:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baz

And get lots of pictures so we can see you smash the wheel to bits!

^ this.

Make no mistake, will be an epic set of pictures.

12th September 2012, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

^ this.

Make no mistake, will be an epic set of pictures.

I saw the last thread when someone cut a wheel off to remove a locking wheel nut. He got ripped to bits for it! So think I'll give it a miss

12th September 2012, 17:15

PM them to Ross, then he can forward it to me

12th September 2012, 17:16

It's only the back two wheels that's got them on, so I might just get a couple of cheep steelies for now

12th September 2012, 20:27

just go a garage shoudlnt cost too much and doesnt cost the same as a set of alloys

12th September 2012, 20:38

i rounded off my locking wheel nut key recently, tried forever smashing smaller sized sockets on them, just couldnt do it

i nearly cried when i paid the garage £20 to take them off in a matter of seconds lol

12th September 2012, 20:45

I hammered an old socket over mine when I got them off earlier this year. Sounds like you can't do that though

12th September 2012, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by crutchs

just go a garage shoudlnt cost too much and doesnt cost the same as a set of alloys

I've tried 3 garages so far and none of them want to know once they've seen it! I think it's a combination of the depth of the bolt down the narrow hole and the revolving sleeve on the bolt!
I would happily pay someone £20+ to do the job

12th September 2012, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSOfreak

i rounded off my locking wheel nut key recently, tried forever smashing smaller sized sockets on them, just couldnt do it

i nearly cried when i paid the garage £20 to take them off in a matter of seconds lol

I'd gladly pay someone £20 to get them off!

12th September 2012, 21:30

Can you not weld a nut to the bolt and hind it out with a socket. Worked on couple of my wheels. Other 2 needed an impact socket smashing on and zipping out with air gun

12th September 2012, 21:58

I recently took mine to the garage for the same thing and they charged me £96.47 for doing it. I was gutted..

16th September 2012, 11:27

last time this happened to me i place a socket over the locking wheel nut and filled the inside with weld and undit with a wrench

16th September 2012, 13:18

dunno if u tried it mate but i got a socket which jus was too smalle and a mallet hammered it on then jus used a breaker bar