MG ZR wheel key lost..

gabyjane

Had a flat tyre on friday and dh took to the garage as we couldn't find the anti theft key for the wheel (could have sworn garage put back last time?!)..does anyone know how we get another one?
Thanks

anewman

I suppose there's no such thing as an MG dealer any more?! You may have had a card with your owners manual giving a code for the locking key.

If you cannot replace the locking key, one option is to buy a new set of bolts with key, have the old ones removed, and put these in. This http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10151&storeId=10001&partNumber=696823&langId=-1&cm_mmc=Googlebase-_-Workshop+%26+Tools%2FSpecialist+ToolsX-_-Na-_-Laser+Locking+Wheel+Nut+Remover&%24%24tid=0-4NfKru7zJHfzHQ9YPcScNidaEHp7BZfHgQOCIJ2myq66qDSs_lR73GcF_YpJ1f may remove them or a garage should be able to get them all off for you.

gabyjane

Thanks for that..a mechanic i know said he thinks they are numbered to each car?..we have a Rover garage still up the rd so will try and pop in but it is on such a nightmare rd with no parking not sure if i will ever get there!
The wheel can be done by the garage if need be i guess and the only reason we want one is if it happens again and dh can't get home like he just managed to last time!

NickWarren_2

Presumably you can just get them removed via the "smash a socket on and take them out" method, And then just buy a 4 bolt set of locking nuts.

gabyjane

NickWarren wrote: »

Presumably you can just get them removed via the "smash a socket on and take them out" method, And then just buy a 4 bolt set of locking nuts.

Hmm do you mean the garage can get them off and do that as they have a tool for it but i apparantly can't just buy one without changing them all..seeing as each wheel is worth a lot they would have to be good quality ones replacing them.
Thanks

NickWarren_2

Generally To remove the locking nuts when the key has been lost, I believe they smash a regular socket on to the offending wheel nut and remove it with a bit of brute force. You could get them to do this for all 4 of the wheels, Removing each locking nut, and get them to replace them with a brand new set of locking nuts so that you had they key for them.

Premier_2

gabyjane wrote: »

Hmm do you mean the garage can get them off and do that as they have a tool for it but i apparantly can't just buy one without changing them all..seeing as each wheel is worth a lot they would have to be good quality ones replacing them.
Thanks

Yes, any half decent garage will be able to remove them ... but they will damage the locking nuts. If you've lost the key, you need to get them all replaced as its the same key for all wheels. (i.e. one locking wheel nut per wheel)

Screwfix sell a kit to do it yourself for £21.99. (item# 94826)

You should be able to get a new set of locking nuts from most automotive spares counters.

Bearing in mind, any can be removed given the will & time, it's no point spending too much on a set. They are only designed to delay the opportunist thief, so hopefully they'll move on elsewhere rather than take yours.

Chippy_Minton_2

Premier wrote: »

Yes, any half decent garage will be able to remove them ... but they will damage the locking nuts. If you've lost the key, you need to get them all replaced as its the same key for all wheels. (i.e. one locking wheel nut per wheel)

If the OP has lost the key does it matter that the nuts will be damaged and need replacing?

Wig

I still advocate, the removal of the 4 offending "locking wheel bolts" (whether you have lost your key or not) by any means and replacing them with 4 standard non locking bolts which of course have no silly key for you to lose, leaving you stranded on the side of the road with a flat tyre. In reality the chances of somone deciding to pinch your wheels is so ridiculously low that it really is not worth the bother of having these silly nuts in the first place. Not to mention that most people keep the keys in the glove box and all the scumbag has to do is smash your window retreive the key and use it to unlock your wheels. What the heck is the point of them?

Also why wouldn't Joe Scumbag -who being well practiced in the art of wheel theft- not carry with him a locking wheel nut removal socket in his dodgy pocket of his hoody? If the AA man can remove these nuts by the side of the road in 2 minutes why not Joe Scum?

Premier_2

Wig wrote: »

...What the heck is the point of them?

To deter Joe Scum from nicking your wheels, a once very common occurence for owners of vehicles fitted with expensive alloy wheels before locking wheel nuts became common place

Wig wrote: »

... If the AA man can remove these nuts by the side of the road in 2 minutes why not Joe Scum?

Because Joe Scum doesn't usually drive around in a big yellow van full of specialist automotive tools.

Btw, I'm not sure the AA man could/would remove them unless the owner provided the key. I know the RAC explicitly exclude this from their cover.

Premier_2

Chippy_Minton wrote: »

If the OP has lost the key does it matter that the nuts will be damaged and need replacing?

The OP said they were informed by a mechanic that the locking nuts were numbered to the car ... so may have expected to be able to obtain a replacement key - the question posed in the OP