The previous mechanic who worked on the car over torqued the OEM (Mcgard) wheel locks so when I tried to remove them with my hand tools, the top cracked off! WTF!!!

So now about 3/4 of it are still on the wheel stud I have OEM G35 19" wheels so its pretty deep. I can't use a vice grip or pliers to grip and turn.

I searched the web and read on how to remove but all of them were in a different situation where their key broke or the wheel lock stripped.

Nothing I found was when 3/4 of it are still on the stud. Anyway to remove this w/o damaging the studs?

I found this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAUUK...eature=related

But that looks scary, what i miss and hit my rims lol

 

There's a commercial on CTV, where they sell a thingy that you use to drill on a busted screw or nut, and allows you to unscrew it with incredible ease (I forgot what it's called, though). Good luck!

 

Come see me tommorrow. If you didnt completely rape it trying to get it off i can get it off for you. Send me a pic first through pm or to my phone just so I know what I'm getting into.

 

The method in the video is the way to go. If you're afraid of not being able to hammer it on, then take it to a shop and let them do it.

 

Done this several times for people.

 

I dont have such big sockets i would have to buy one. Video says 24mm, is that about right for the OEM wheel lock?

 

There is a product at Pepboys that you can use.

Its called a "Locking Lugnut Removal Socket"

It should be universal.

 

You definitely want to buy a cheap one to use for this. Chances are pretty good you're not going to be able to get the broken lock back out of the socket. If you did, the points inside the socket can get torn up so you don't really want to use it after that.

I was watching a guy do it at the shop that does my wheels/tires and he had a box of new sockets and dozens of used ones with stripped lug nuts and locks stuck in them just laying around.

BTW - the size that you need to use depends on the size of the lug nut or lock you're trying to remove. Test a socket on it to see what looks tight then go buy a cheap one to sacrifice. IIRC, we used a 3/4" socket on the McGard locks.

 

all i gota say is damn...i would be pissed especially if the mechanic did it...lol


SOOOOOO i guess wheel locks arnt really useful anymore if thieves are watching this!!!!...lol

 

I think it's the other way around - everybody else learned this trick from how thieves have been doing it. Wheels locks give you a false sense of security. A pro can steal your wheels in minutes no matter what you use on them.

 

the socket way is pretty much the only way. if you buy a craftsman socket it has a lifetime warranty

 

It's not a false sense of security. Doesn't it make noise to hammer the lock onto the wheel? It also shakes the car and if you have an alarm it will more than likely go off.

This also adds time to the robbery effort. They have to go around each wheel hammering it on to get it off.

 

Believe me it is. People have their wheels stolen all the time even with locks on them. I'm sure some have alarms.

You're working on the assumption that you WILL hear them and/or you have an alarm. Sooner or later you'll park somewhere where you can't hear the car or alarm and determined professional thieves will take them all. They can jack the car, hammer on sockets and remove the lug nuts in under a minute. They usually work in small groups - kinda' like a pit crew would do.

 

I never said I would hear them 100% of the time? There is a chance you might hear them isn't there?

Condoms aren't 100% what makes you think I was saying Wheel Locks were.

 

Good thread! This will certainly help me out. Thanks!

 

Hahahaha some people don't use either and are just fine.. I'm not gonna take my chances though