Removing Locking Wheel Nuts (lost key)

girl_withno_name

Hi all,

I've somehow managed to lose the key for my locking wheel nuts (I didn't know it existed, so it's possible that I accidentally binned it at some point!)

As far as I can tell I have a few options available to me:

• Contact the tyre place I used last time, since they didn't use me for this key (and may have a single or set of generic keys?)
• Use RAC
• Use official Ford dealership
• Use local garage

Has anyone used any of these options previously? In particular, the RAC - at the moment I'm not covered "At Home" so would need to upgrade and pay a surcharge. Asked about the situation if I was at work (to get nuts removed without a flat) and couldn't really work out whether I'd be covered or not (or whether I'd actually need some problems).

In terms of urgency - my MOT expires the end of this month and the front tyres are simply not going to pass, I'm on holidays next week (currently MOT is booked in for Friday morning, but think I'm gonna need to cancel while I get this sorted)

paddedjohn

Its possible that the tyre place used it and forgot to replace it in the boot with the spare. (you have checked the spare wheel well havnt you?)

lizziebabe

Hi - I've done the same, just can't find it. My garage had a gizmo they used to change my tyre I needed for the MOT. They said they would replace the nuts as they said no-one will steal the alloys off a 12 year old car. I've got a 2002 Ford Focus.

I don't mean to hijack your thread but am interested in what to do? I'll keep looking in the mean time.

Ebe_Scrooge

I had exactly this situation recently. The likes of Kwik-Fit, National Tyres etc. didn't have a clue - "no, nothing we can do guv, you'll have to go to the main dealer".

Anyhow, you have 2 sensible options. Go to a main dealer who can source a replacement key for you - I was told this'll be about £40 or so, but I only have Kwik-fit's "Experts" word on this :rotfl:

Or do what I did - go to a trusted local independant, he removed them by welding an old nut onto each locking nut, removing them, chuck them in the bin and replace with an ordinary nut. For the grand total of £25 for all 4 wheels. And he also said that no-one is bothered about stealing alloy wheels these days, at least, not ordinary everyday ones. I suppose if you had some special expensive flashy ones then it may be worth replacing the locking nuts, but to be honest they're more trouble then they're worth.

Hope this helps.

ado

You could try putting a jack under the tyre socket wrench and using the weight of the car to break the lock. I saw this done many years ago when a mate couldn't find his wheel nut key.

kfw_2

Dont worry had exact problem with saab. I went to an independent tyre place and thry used an air wrench and had a huge set of nut crackers. Took them only a few mins to remove all 4. They advised against any welding methods as you can ruin the wheels.

apesxx

Have you checked the whole car? I nearly threw my last one away as I though it was a useless piece of metal that someone had left in the glove box. After buying my current car I realised I hadn't asked about the locking wheel nut, turned the car upside down and it was in a plastic bag tucked into one of the recesses in the poly blocks that are around the spare wheel. If you have had the tyre changed since getting it then the chances are they found the nut if they didn't mention anything to you about it being missing.

OddballJamie

Cheap socket to hammer on and then an air wrench to get them off. Took my mate who works for a large tyre fitters about ten minutes in total.

gilbert_and_sullivan

apesxx wrote: »

Have you checked the whole car? I nearly threw my last one away as I though it was a useless piece of metal that someone had left in the glove box. After buying my current car I realised I hadn't asked about the locking wheel nut, turned the car upside down and it was in a plastic bag tucked into one of the recesses in the poly blocks that are around the spare wheel. If you have had the tyre changed since getting it then the chances are they found the nut if they didn't mention anything to you about it being missing.

Agreed, check the entire boot including the tool roll and under and inside the spare wheel.

Also depending on model, some cars have a cut out in the glove box lid where the PDI lads put the locker and subsequent tyre blokes know where to find it, check the whole glove box and any door pockets or other nooks and crannies.

girl_withno_name

I think I remember seeing it (not knowing what it was) - it used to be in the glove compartment, but it's no longer in there and I've also checked the door wells, under the seats, in the boot, in the pouches on the backs of the chairs and around the spare wheel... I don't have a tool roll to check. My OH has done the same checks, so I'm pretty sure it's not still in the car.

girl_withno_name

Have called Ford and they're looking at 50-85, depending whether the master key would work or not
Local garage is looking at a couple of quid if he can put a socket over, £10-£25 if he needs to weld - not sure whether that includes/means replacing them though!