Lost wheel nut key

catoutthebag

Had a flat tyre by the time I drive 10 minutes home earlier today

Can't even bloody remember if the car (focus) came with it when I bought it a few months ago

Recovery took me to a local garage down the road as I didn't want to !!!! up the alloy

Has to park on the garage forecourt as there was no where else. They have a tyre place next door

My tyre is uniroyal rainexpert 205-55, I guess £60

Firstly, I feel a bit 'under the barrel' as I'm on their space and need it done so hope they don't shaft me hard (there's also a tyre place not far so I'll call them too)

Secondly, the wheel nut. I guess they'll be able to replace the wheel without damaging the alloy, nowadays? I guess too that they'll replace it with generic nuts. I hear I can get a replacement key from ford for £10-15? So will I need to be in possession of 2 keys - one for 3 ford nuts and 1 for the generic nuts they fix?

Thirdly, should I be expected to be charged extra to have the tyre removed with force and a new key for the nuts they fix to the new tyre?

Will be heading there at 830am so help appreciated

skivenov

Search:

In and around spare wheel (including in the tool kit).
Any side pockets/compartments in the boot.
In the service book wallet.
Glove box
Centre console.

I'd go as far as to say 90%+ of the time, it's in one of those places.

spacey2012

They have a generic socket made by a company called Snap-on that will remove the locking nut as quick if not better than the one you had, if they dont, they should not be touching cars.

catoutthebag

skivenov wrote: »

Search:

In and around spare wheel (including in the tool kit).
Any side pockets/compartments in the boot.
In the service book wallet.
Glove box
Centre console.

I'd go as far as to say 90%+ of the time, it's in one of those places.

Checked & no luck which is why I doubt my memory if I ever had it. The tyres were newish so wonder if previous owner (who hadnt had it long lost it)

catoutthebag

spacey2012 wrote: »

They have a generic socket made by a company called Snap-on that will remove the locking nut as quick if not better than the one you had, if they dont, they should not be touching cars.

Thanks ill ask them by that name

What about after?

GAZ237

Its basically a socket with left handed thread. As you undo it the thread grips the head of the bolt/nut.

Depending on the year of your focus. The locking wheel nuts could be anything aftermarket.

Get them to whizz off the other 3 or you will be in the same bother.

New set of locking wheels nuts with key £20ish

catoutthebag

Off there in couple hours

Do you mean whizz off the other 3 tyres & replace with generic nuts?

Will they charge extra for nuts & doing that & will I then need to buy the key off them?

GAZ237

catoutthebag wrote: »

Off there in couple hours

Do you mean whizz off the other 3 tyres & replace with generic nuts?

Will they charge extra for nuts & doing that & will I then need to buy the key off them?

Just get them to whizz off the other 3 locking nuts ( 1 on each wheel. They can either put standard nuts/bolts on for you and you can take one off each wheel at a later date if you want to put a set of locking nuts on.

If they charge extra, it should only be peanuts.

Or they may have set of locking wheel nuts in stock.

Theres hundreds of different types of locking wheel nuts with a different key to suit.

Westmead_Fan

They have a generic socket made by a company called Snap-on that will remove the locking nut as quick if not better than the one you had, if they dont, they should not be touching cars.

not always the case im afraid, last person to have there locking wheel nut break on a vectra we had to drill it off, it can be quick or you can be there for quite some time.

i do not know why people have these on vehicles, they are a pain because when something like this happens it costs & inconveniences the customer.

catoutthebag

Both places couldn't do it/didn't have the tool/tool was knackered

Going to work & will be ringing places as I'm off tomorrow

Bloody pain !

catoutthebag

The garage quoting £77 for wheel & fitting which seems high
& re other wheels he says he'd have to put me onto another service dept because he couldn't be bothered to check himself but said there would prob be additional charges

This is turning into a !!!!ing nightmare

Will ring ford to see if I can get a key for cheap & then try 2 local tyre places for cheapest