Argh! F**ing locking wheel nuts!

Cool_Username

This morning I noticed one of my tyres was pretty much down to the limit so I decided to swap it for the spare - do you think I could get that f**ing locking wheel nut off!?

It's a star-shaped effort that just wouldn't grip onto the locking nut - I managed to get them off the other three wheels and replace them with the normal nuts because I decided they were just too much trouble, but the remaining locking nut just won't budge. The attachment just keeps slipping - I've spent hours trying to tap the thing into a shape that will do the job but I've admitted defeat.

I'm gonna try getting a new attachment from Vauxhall tomorrow and see if that will grip the locking nut properly.

Wish me luck!

blakester

Cool_Username wrote: »

This morning I noticed one of my tyres was pretty much down to the limit so I decided to swap it for the spare - do you think I could get that f**ing locking wheel nut off!?

It's a star-shaped effort that just wouldn't grip onto the locking nut - I managed to get them off the other three wheels and replace them with the normal nuts because I decided they were just too much trouble, but the remaining locking nut just won't budge. The attachment just keeps slipping - I've spent hours trying to tap the thing into a shape that will do the job but I've admitted defeat.

I'm gonna try getting a new attachment from Vauxhall tomorrow and see if that will grip the locking nut properly.

Wish me luck!

I think the popular solution to this problem is to get a standard socket that will, with a little persuasion with a hammer, over the locking wheel nut. Then use a socket wrench to remove the offending nut. This will of course ruin the socket and wheel nut but it should solve the problem.
HTH

colino

Another tip is tightening the other nuts/bolts even tighter (than the locking one) and taking the car a very short drive, that should make the removal a bit easier.

Cool_Username

Thanks both - I just Googled Corsa locking wheel nut, it's not gonna be as simple as popping down Vauxhall and getting a new one anyway.

I might just ask them to remove the nut with one of their master keys - worst they can say is no.

custardy

Cool_Username wrote: »

Thanks both - I just Googled Corsa locking wheel nut, it's not gonna be as simple as popping down Vauxhall and getting a new one anyway.

I might just ask them to remove the nut with one of their master keys - worst they can say is no.

most tyre places will have removing tools
however if theres space the hammering a socket on works
if you are in Edinburgh i can do you a deal on a set of VX lockers

Cool_Username

South Wales I'm afraid...

Forgive me here but wouldn't hammering a socket onto the wheel nut just end up with the socket turning when you apply pressure to it?

custardy

Cool_Username wrote: »

South Wales I'm afraid...

Forgive me here but wouldn't hammering a socket onto the wheel nut just end up with the socket turning when you apply pressure to it?

you use one just slightly smaller than the nut head
so as you drift it on it jams onto the head
in theory it allows you to then turn the locking nut
though remember to hammer the socket off before fully undoing the nut
(this is why locking nuts should never be gunned on and done to the correct torque)
ive done it on a few cars,I now check the lockers remove before paying for any 2nd hand car!

Cool_Username

Well I've replaced the locking wheel nuts on the other three wheels with the original standard wheel nuts because I'm damned if I'm going through this again

Exemplar

Custardy is right. We used this method many times at the garage where I worked. You could just drill them out as well....

Cool_Username

Hi everyone, a mechanic who comes in the shop where I work is gonna come up tomorrow and hammer a socket onto the nut and get it out that way - he said he's done it loads of times so hope this works!