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Broken wheel lock key

Paco

Jr. Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2005
Messages
293
Loc.
Pueblo, CO
I broke the key to my wheel locks while trying to rotate tires the other day. How do I get the keyed lug off now? It's a McGard wheel lock and they said they would warranty it for me, but since I bought a new set of locks, I'm not planning on keeping the old ones anyway. Should I just wait for the new key, or is there a way to get the wheel off without it?
 

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Skiddy

Bronco Guru
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
11,560
Since it is recessed like that the only thing I can think of is weld a nut to end of it.
 

wildbill

Old Bronco Guy
Joined
Jun 29, 2001
Messages
6,888
:p :p :p I use a air chisel and they will just unscrew makes a mess of the nut so it will need to be replaced. Good luck and have fun.%) %) %) Bill %) :cool: ;D
 

DebosDave'72

Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 8, 2005
Messages
1,020
Loc.
Bozeman, MT
They make a kit to take those off (must be a pretty common problem). I just had one in, but sold it. The kit consisted of a few different sized cylinders, that you heat and basically pound onto the lugnut.... Then you can unbolt the nut. The idea of using an impact socket is the best, just get one that is just barely too tight, then heat and pound it on there...

The air chisel is a good idea too, I would just be careful no to acidentally hit the wheel...

I would worry a little about the heat generated with the welding idea, might warp something, but I am sure if you went slow, and didn't go overboard it could be alright.

Dave
 

SaddleUp

Bronco Guru
Joined
May 23, 2004
Messages
9,655
Loc.
Vancouver, WA
Beating th impact socket onto it is the best way I have found and it is the least likely to damage the wheel.
 

Apogee

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 26, 2005
Messages
6,189
Here's a lug nut removal tool as well...left hand threaded, heat-treated socket for all intensive purposes.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM-M980&N=115&autoview=sku

My Bronco had locks on it when I bought it and the owner didn't own the keyed socket...I guess he didn't rotate the tires that often. %) Anyway, I used them and they worked but were pretty well thrashed after 2 hours and four lug nuts worth of abuse.
 

cbearly

Full Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2005
Messages
606
Loc.
Wellington, Colorado
When the key for the wheel locks on my F250 got striped, I took a 12pt socket that wouldn't quite slip over the lock and I forced it on with a hammer. Put the ratchet on it and off the lock came. Then I used a punch to drive the lock out of the socket. After seeing how easy it was to defeat the wheel locks I don't bother with them anymore. :p
 

hd03sporty

Full Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2003
Messages
388
Loc.
Tucson AZ
Use one of the methods that everyone else has suggested for the removal, but ditch that type of lock as those "keys" tend to get stripped out often from not sitting fully in the nut, especially if you remove the wheels somewhat often. HERE is a good alternative lock I have these on two of my vehicles and are great.....
 

Delta4WheelDrive

Full Member
Joined
May 29, 2003
Messages
428
Loc.
Bakersfield
Broncrick said:
I usually take an impact socket and with a BFH drive it on, heat can be your friend too ;D

This is how I did it in my shop. A trick I learned from Big O Tires. Get the socket that can just barely fit over the end of the lock and hammer it on snug. Use an impact to pull it off. The friction will do all of the work. If this just will not work the chisel method will.
 

SaddleUp

Bronco Guru
Joined
May 23, 2004
Messages
9,655
Loc.
Vancouver, WA
hd03sporty said:
Use one of the methods that everyone else has suggested for the removal, but ditch that type of lock as those "keys" tend to get stripped out often from not sitting fully in the nut, especially if you remove the wheels somewhat often. HERE is a good alternative lock I have these on two of my vehicles and are great.....
Thats what I use on mine.
 

SteveL

Huge chevy guy
Joined
Jun 24, 2001
Messages
11,792
Loc.
Hawthorne ca
Try a local tire and wheel shop. They usually have a bucket of wheel lock keys. Otherwise pound a socket on it with the BFH.
 

Jangel

New Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2003
Messages
80
Impact socket and BFH!! Took off alot of different locks that way while working at a tire store.
 

brian72

Early Bronco Student
Joined
Jun 18, 2001
Messages
4,157
When I ordered my wheels and tires from Desert Rat..with my lug nuts they sent a set of gorilla locks.
 
OP
OP
Paco

Paco

Jr. Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2005
Messages
293
Loc.
Pueblo, CO
1 down, 1 to go

Got one done, but still have one to go. I used the socket trick and it worked great on the right rear. Finding the right socket was a PITA. 13/16" was way too small and 7/8" was way too big. Metric wasn't any better. So I dug out some OLD square sockets that were buried away in the garage and found a 3/4" square one that fit with some help from the BFH. Moved to the right front, pounded the socket on, tried loosening it and cracked the socket:cry: I found an old spark plug socket that didn't even have a size stamped on it, got it pounded on, but I just stripped it.

Something tells me it might be crossthreaded, I'll try the air-chisel tomorrow. Check out the old socket with the nice, new crack in it.
 

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