Kid Vette

I decided to pull off my stock rally wheels and put on my new TT IIs tonight. When I pulled off the derby covers this is what I saw:



I guess the previous owner wanted to make sure that nobody stole his wheels. :banghead: Anyway, I need to get a socket to fit so I can get all 20 of these puppys off. Anybody know what brand these locking lug nuts are and how I can get a socket to fit?

79VetteMike

See if the ******** put the sticker with the code somewhere on the car or in the group of papers he/she hopefully gave you when you purchased the car. If you have the code, you can call the company and order a replacement key.

68427

Well, back when I used to steal wheels for a living....

No really, all you have to do is take an old 1/2" socket that is a little to small and pound that sucker on the lug nut with a BFH. You can now remove the nut with your 1/2" breaker bar or ratchet. Now you have to pound the nut out of your socket. I found a vice and punch works well for that. Seeing that you have 20 of them, I'd say you are in for a workout.

Its' slow, but it works every time. :smash: :smash: :smash:

noskillz

DON'T try this! :nono:

Most locking lugs are hardened steel and will ruin any socket or round off the teeth on any locking pliers. Although you proly didn't care much about the socket....

You can try those fancy sockets you see on TV. The ones filled with metal rods that take on the contour of what ever you are trying to turn.

I had to have mine taked off with a nut buster at the dealer.


[Modified by noskillz, 10:40 PM 9/18/2003]

Shark Racer

That's all well and good if you feel like replacing your suspension components too. I was informed that puts quite a bit of pressure on the spindle, hub, bearing, etc.

Can you put a pair of vise grips on them? Otherwise, it's welding time... just don't hammer on it!

-Steve

greg454

I just took some old lug nuts and welded them to the end of the locking nuts. Then remove with a lug wrench. Since you will need 20 old nuts I would go see if you can get a handfull of them from a junkyard.

Fevre

A good pipe wrench should do the trick.

BTW did you search al around the car? Key might be in the luggage boxes or under your seats, etc.





[Modified by Fevre, 12:35 PM 9/19/2003]

Kid Vette

Thanks for all the suggestions! I've pretty much been through the car and have already had the seats out and have never seen anything concerning wheel locks. The previous owner is in jail :nono: so he's pretty hard to contact. :D By the way, I believe these are Gorilla nuts; correct?

I guess maybe I'll try welding some lug nuts on (thanks greg454). It will give me a chance to test my limited welding skills. :(

79VetteMike

I was going to assume that they are gorilla nuts.

TheVin

Go down to the local tire store--(Discount) they should be able to help out maybe eben swap them for you...

MN-Brent

I thought there was a special tool that was used for removing these if the key was lost or not available. Tire theives have been using this tool for some time to take your tires.

There was just a post about this in the C5 general or Z06 section where a C5 in the Houston area was left on blocks in a parking ramp and all 4 tires were gone and the tires had locking lugs on them. There was even a picture of the car up on blocks.

Brent.....