Who can remove locking nuts

Newcarneeded

Background as follows:

I recently bought a new car, it's a UK import and I'm very happy with it so far. Unfortunately one thing i didnt check when i bought it, is that the locking nut key for the alloys was in place- it isn't.

So i have a slow puncture now, and need to get the wheel off to get it fixed, and ultimately need to be able to get all the wheels off in case i get a proper puncture.

So I've seen a few threads on here about getting a larger nut hammered onto the locking nut and then airgun the whole lot off and replace the nut.

Can anyone recommend a garage where they have gotten this done because any of the tyre specialists i have phone, fast fit advance pitstop etc don't want to know and tell me to get back to the main dealer for a key. To be honest i think it would be cheaper and easier just to get the nuts off and buy new ones so I'd be very grateful if anyone has had this done and can point me in the right direction.

Gracias

C_Breeze

force aspanner over it and beat the livin daylights out of it , Same thing happen to me . me and my dad eventually got it off.

Ive heard of others with same problem, if that fails take it to a mechanic somehwere. If you know any polish latvian etc mechanic im sure they will be able to sortu u out, i dont know why

mloc123

Same problem here with me, I'm trading in the car soon tho' so I'm no longer bothered. Peugeot dealership(it's a 206 GTI) said it would be €80 to break the nuts off and replace them, seemed reasonable to me.

bo-bo

depending on the type of nut you could try this:

use an angle grinder to cut through the centre of the nut so you end up with a type of "screw" instead of a nut! you can then use the flat end of a brace to loosen the nut - failing that you can split the nut by brute force

this will not work on all wheel/nut combinations - it worked for me though

Wishbone Ash

Try welding a standard nut onto the locking one.

qazz

there is a special tool for it. I saw it in some motor factor. maybe halfords...

Wishbone Ash

qazz wrote:

there is a special tool for it. I saw it in some motor factor. maybe halfords...

Seems a bit pointless having locking nuts if there's a 'special tool' available to the general public in Halfords!

Del2005

Buy a "Gator Grip" depending on the type of locking nut it should come off.Should be able to buy then in motor factors/hardware stores.

http://gator-grip.com/

Or use a hammer and drift to tap it off, the locknut shouldn't be put on too hard. And buy a new set of locknuts.

Newcarneeded

What is a drift?

How much is a gator grip to buy? Has anyone used this method before? Would it work?

MAYPOP

If you're in Dublin, there's a place just off the Naas Road near the Red Cow roundabout (can't remember the name!) that will be able to remove them. It's right beside the Lillis O'Donnell Ford garage.

Bazzy

MAYPOP wrote:

If you're in Dublin, there's a place just off the Naas Road near the Red Cow roundabout (can't remember the name!) that will be able to remove them. It's right beside the Lillis O'Donnell Ford garage.

There called Car fit 014591591 got my alloy wheels off them give them a call and see what they say!

Del2005

Newcarneeded wrote:

What is a drift?

How much is a gator grip to buy? Has anyone used this method before? Would it work?

A drift is just a bit of strong steel, not a screwdriver, to make it easier to hit a small area with a hammer.

I've no idea how much a Gator Grip is or where to but one, not much help. But they should work as the pins will grip any shape.

Newcarneeded

I've attached a photo of the locking nuts on the off chance that someone on here has a tool that will match the nuts.

Chances of this are slim but it would be a great help if anyone with what i think are honda lock nuts can just check to see if these look like their lock nuts.

Many thanks guys

Lex Luthor

Wishbone Ash wrote:

Seems a bit pointless having locking nuts if there's a 'special tool' available to the general public in Halfords!

ya...I thought that too

Here is the stand with all the locking nuts and beside it is the stand with the universal locking nut remover (I don't think so)

AMurphy

How much room (gap) between the outer edge of the nut and the hole in teh wheel.

There are these items.
http://www.lislecorp.com/tool_detail.cfm?detail=180

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=00952166000

but only if there is sufficient room between the nut and wheel.

It is not impossible to re-make the tool that installed them if you have time energy some simple tools like a welder and drill and want to remove the nuts intact.
I can guide you with that if you wish.

I would not recommend welding somethign to the nut while it is on the car. Unless you own a TIG welder. Stick welding will result on spark sparred sticking and ruinin ghte finish ont eh alloys. Not to mention how are you going to ground the nut, you could ruin your wheel bearing by doing it incorrectly.

Let me know, it's fairly simple.. so simple that I could easily steal those wheels.

fletch

Lex Luthor wrote:

ya...I thought that too

Here is the stand with all the locking nuts and beside it is the stand with the universal locking nut remover (I don't think so)

I know it does seem ridiculous alright but you are gona make a lot of noise trying to remove them and it's not guaranteed to work with all locking nuts if they are well shielded by the wheel

Newcarneeded

I took the car to car fit today and they had them off and a slow puncture repaired in about 45 mins. Three, including the one which another mechanic had tried and failed to remove, came pretty easily, the last, and it's always the last took a bit longer but they got it off.

So thanks to the lads at car fit. Good service, I'd recommend them and go back again.

Thanks for all the above posters help. Much appreciated.

djeclips

Have to add my bit to this aswell.

Had the exact same problem as the OP,Car over from england without locking nut,went to these guys as a result of this thread.

Booked the car in with car fit and they had all sorted in about an hour along with two new front tyres.First class guys and good prices too.Highly recomended!!!:D

david

Hmm you'd beat them off with an old chisel and hammer either.

AMurphy

Newcarneeded wrote:

I took the car to car fit today and they had them off and a slow puncture repaired in about 45 mins. Three, including the one which another mechanic had tried and failed to remove, came pretty easily, the last, and it's always the last took a bit longer but they got it off.

So thanks to the lads at car fit. Good service, I'd recommend them and go back again.

Thanks for all the above posters help. Much appreciated.

So after all that, do you now have 3 nuts, or 3 matching +1odd, or the locknuts back on again?

btw, this link should take you to some nut/stud removers.