Mazda 3 (2013) wheel lock nut/bolt issue

Rigsby

I recently bought a Mazda 3 (2013). At the time of purchase I checked that all was in order, including the tools required in the case of getting a flat tyre.

It was only later that I noticed that there is a locking nut...but only on one wheel. The key for this can not be found. I contacted the owner who said she assumed it was with the general flat tyre tools. It's not. I also checked in and around the spare wheel area.

I brought the car to a Mazda dealer assuming they would have a key, would be able to take off the locking bolt and replace it with a regular one. They told me the lock nut was a spurious one and could not be removed easily. They estimated it would cost (with labour) in the region of €110.00 to remove it. :eek: I bought a regular bolt from them.

Granted it was an oversight on my part, but I am where I am. Would anyone have any suggestions/advice on how to proceed ? If all comes to all, I will have to bite the bullet and have them remove it. In the mean time, I just want to explore some alternate (and hopefully...cheaper !!...) avenues....and hope that I don't get a puncture on this particular wheel.

biko

A pic would help.

You can possibly weld a regular bolt head onto and undo it that way.

CJhaughey

A competent mig welder will be able to weld a nut to the outside of the bolt through the hole in the nut, before it cools too much hit it with an impact gun and it will come off. Throw the locking nut away and don't look back.

Audioslaven

like the previous poster about welding a nut this didn't work for me so I welded a socket on it and took it off.

mullingar

If you have breakdown cover (direct or indirect via insurance co) they normally have a lock remover set, just ring them to say you have a puncture and the lock is lost.

But two other ways I've removed them:
- Find a socket that will nearly fit and beat the sh1te out of it to fit onto the nut
- Weld a large bolt onto it.

Rigsby

mullingar wrote: »

But two other ways I've removed them:
- Find a socket that will nearly fit and beat the sh1te out of it to fit onto the nut
- Weld a large bolt onto it.

There are clips of these on Youtube that seem to do the trick alright. Think I might give one or both a go.

Rigsby

Just a quick update. Decided to go to a tyre garage. They had the issue resolved in five minutes flat and charged €15.

Compare that to the Mazda dealer who claimed the job would take up to an hour and who quoted €107. :eek:

Cordell

Well, driving up and down to the tyre shop and doing the paperwork probably takes up to one hour

Rigsby

Cordell wrote: »

Well, driving up and down to the tyre shop and doing the paperwork probably takes up to one hour

Still had to drive to the Mazda dealer too !!!!