Locking wheel nuts

DonnyDave

I have had a Corsa which is nearly four years old. It has alloy wheels and I found that the key for the locking nuts wouldn't engage with them as it was chewed.

I went down to my Vauxhall dealer and was told it would be £32.90 for a new one. I was also informed that it should not have been used with a pneumatic airgun which obviously it had been when it went into the local garage. Aparently, Vauxhall garages will use a hand wrench to remove them.

I wrote to Vauxhall and they provided me with a replacement for nothing. I have come to remove the bolts today and they're on that tight that half of the star on the key has just sheared away.


I can't find where it says that they should not be used with airguns. Being a common piece of equipment in any garage, I think it's reasonable to assume that they should be able to be used in this way. In view of this, any notification should be all the more clearer.

I suspect that they are McGard ones which are fitted to many different makes of car.


I am annoyed that I didn't have forewarning of this. In future I will remove them and replace them with the normal bolts before it goes into the garage. As they're fitted to many cars, how widespread is this problem?

Nile

Hello DonnyDave

I'll move your thread to the 'Motoring & Public Transport' board.

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

Regards

Nile

JDMYOFAN

As they replaced it for free, you don't really have a lot to complain about!

Any local garage have their 'methods' to removed sheered bolts.

I'd recommend purchasing a set of locking wheel nuts from somewhere else, £15 will get you a good set.

steveo3002

see it all the time...apes in the tyre center roar em on with a wizzy gun

i remove mine before getting tyres fitted

goldspanners

DonnyDave wrote: »

I can't find where it says that they should not be used with airguns. Being a common piece of equipment in any garage, I think it's reasonable to assume that they should be able to be used in this way. In view of this, any notification should be all the more clearer.

i dont think its too much to ask if they put the locking ones on with a ratchet then torque up with a torque wrench. its only four bolts. tighten the other 3 on each wheel with the air gun if they like.

Wig

It's a very widespread problem, and in most cases a totally unecessary one. Most people live in areas where wheel theft is rare to non existant. If you live in these areas just buy 4 normal bolts and have no security bolts at all.

anewman

Wig wrote: »

It's a very widespread problem, and in most cases a totally unecessary one. Most people live in areas where wheel theft is rare to non existant. If you live in these areas just buy 4 normal bolts and have no security bolts at all.

They're worth nicking for scrap metal value these days - I wouldn't make the job easy for someone to get £50 for 20 minutes work.

DonnyDave

Wig wrote: »

It's a very widespread problem, and in most cases a totally unecessary one. Most people live in areas where wheel theft is rare to non existant. If you live in these areas just buy 4 normal bolts and have no security bolts at all.

A Google of locking wheel nuts reveals not only the bolts themselves, but kits to forcefully remove them.

It seems that they cause more trouble to the owners of vehicles than thieves. I will not be at all pleased should I have a puncture and have to resort to calling out the AA.

I accept that a lost key is the owner's responsibility and they should pay to replace them, but how much do the car manufacturers make from replacement keys when it has been chewed up in this way?

Wig

anewman wrote: »

They're worth nicking for scrap metal value these days - I wouldn't make the job easy for someone to get £50 for 20 minutes work.

Friend of mine had a flat on the motorway, no key, so phoned AA. AA man used a hand held ratchet tool and very quickly had the security bolt off.

If someone wants your wheels, it seems that they would be equipped enough so that security bolts posed them no problems.

Keith

One of the reasons I prefer Costco for tyres is they use a hand ratchet to torque your wheel bolts

Useless_With_Money_3

Yours local vxl dealer are very harsh,

we charge £17.50 plus vat, cost price is £10.50+

very common problem, most issues go down to kwik fit type places, save some money on tyres, costs more in the long run!!!!