Anti theft alloys - wrench broke

daymobrew

My sister has a 2001 VW Golf Cabriolet with "Team Dynamics" alloys with ant-theft bolts. She got a puncture and the 'key' wrench broke when trying to remove the wheel.

She hasn't been able to locate the serial number for the 'key' so try get a replacement.

One mechanic said that they could try and weld the broken wrench and hope that it would be strong enough to remove the bolts. They'd replace them with new ones.

Any other ideas?

Toyotafanboi

the likes of halfords sell "lock nut remover tools", which could be the only other effort you could try yourself.

there are other crude methods that garages use with better success rates like welding a standard nut onto the top the lock nut or trying to split the nut with a chisel etc. the latter i guess would not be possible with a bolt as opposed to a nut.

CJhaughey

Anti theft bolts are the biggest curse there is, when you remove them just use standard wheel bolts to replace them.
They cannot be torqued the same as a proper headed bolt and often seize and strip the locking parts.

colm_mcm

Getting your wheels stolen sucks as well though

Numptys tightening licking nuts with air guns should be shot.

stoger

Just get a next size down socket and drive it on with hammer

Alanstrainor

What does the bolt look like? Is it possible to get a normal socket that is around the same size and hammer it onto the bolt, and then simply (well hopefully it'll be simple...) remove it with a breaker bar? That's how most get around this issue I thought.

crosstownk

For what it's worth, the code for the key/bolt combo is a 3 digit code and is usually stamped on the bolt and/or adapter. Once you have this code a VW dealer should be able to order you a replacement (I'm assuming they are the original wheels).

MarkR

Most tyre places should be able to sort you, but some are better than others. They'll always break them off, one way or another. Get some new standard nuts for replacing them. If you really think you need lock nuts, try the McGuard ones maybe?