AArgg... broken key for locking lug nuts

[Str33tr]

SO, I have a nail in one of these 315 Nittos. I went to try to take the wheel off and broke my key for the locking lug nuts! The pockets on these cobra wheels are deep, so it's impossible to get any kind of vice grips in there around the lug to grab the dang lug. I went to Autozone, O'rielly's, and Advanced yesterday afternoon to try and buy a set of locking lugs/key like mine and had 0 luck. They all had the same 5 or 6 styles, that weren't anything like mine. I'm going to go by NPF this afternoon to see if their parts counter has anything. If not ionno what I'm going to do.

[oxman]

They will have the one you need more than likely,,but you will need to take a GOOD like at the pattern you have. When I had to go get mine they had several that looked a lot alike! I even had a pic on my phone and it was hard to tell lol

[Str33tr]

They will have the one you need more than likely,,but you will need to take a GOOD like at the pattern you have. When I had to go get mine they had several that looked a lot alike! I even had a pic on my phone and it was hard to tell lol

hmmm... the pattern looks like the center of the Tribar wheels that came on the car (just thought of that) it's a circle w/ 3 sets of 2 teeth coming out. (throwing these things away when I get them off!) Did they have multiple sets w/ the same pattern?

[oxman]

no,,they were just different pattern but some of them look very much alike.

[horspwr]

FYI....we have a tech here that has a tool to remove those if you can't find a key..

[Str33tr]

FYI....we have a tech here that has a tool to remove those if you can't find a key..

my problem is that I'd have to get the car towed anywhere to have it removed!
The guys at O'reillys suggest that I try to break the lug -THANKS BUT NO THANKS!

This just would happen when I'm trying to sell the wheels/tires...

[Str33tr]

Crap like this really makes me miss my father-in-law (he died a few wks ago). As an old-school hot rodder, he always had some jerry-rigged tool to take care of any problem.

He loved to give me a hard time a/b the stang (he was a Chevy guy, even though he depended on Ford trucks for his daily and his horse hauler). At the funeral a few of his friends -who'd never met me before- told me to "leave that mustang alone!" He never wanted me to work on it w/o him, b/c I tend to forget the small stuff. When I did have to work on it w/o him he was on speakerphone most of the time!
RIP, friend.

[ArkansasMystic]

Sorry to hear about the father in law. On a different note, I went and picked up the 03 Cobras for my Stang, put them on at 10 o'clock that night when I got home, ended up loosing the key so my brand new wheels were locked to the car. I took a regular deep socket, found one that was a tight fit over the locking lug nut, hammered it on, and then slowly used a big ratchet to remove the nut. It worked, but was a real pain and took a while. After getting the first one done, I decided to run by the local Ford service department. Guy grabbed a tool kit, walked out and in about a minute had the locks removed from the other 3 wheels. These were OEM locking nuts, and they had a master key that would work with them. You can do it with the socket, not sure if you've tried that yet since you can't drive it at the moment.

[abdullaGT]

x2, try hammering on a socket that is just barely smaller than the lock. I've done this several times and it works like a charm. Another easier way is to buy the kit for it, this would be much easier, but also costs more. And use a breaker bar not just a big ratchet

[abdullaGT]

As a matter of fact, it was on those same wheels that you have now LOL.

[Str33tr]

As a matter of fact, it was on those same wheels that you have now LOL.

Ha. Guess these wheels don't like to stay on any particular stang for long, I'm working on getting them sold, myself -that's why I'm particularly nervous a/b doing anything like hammering a socket over the nut. I'd much rather spend the $$ to get a replacement key. Maybe I'll throw these locks+new key in w/ the sale, definitely don't want to run into this issue again, and doubt anyone else would want the set I'm going to. That's right ladies and gentlemen, it's time for some 15 inchers!

[ArkansasMystic]

That's what I ended up doing, I just went back to regular lug nuts. I've got locking lug nuts on the 4runner now, but that's only because they're factory, I'll end up replacing them pretty soon. The only thing you run the risk of damaging is the nut itself. I did this and didn't do anything at all to the wheels, just had to have 4 new lug nuts (which I had anyway). Just depends on what you have access to and how big of a hurry you're in. With it dropped, some 15's will look great.

[Str33tr]

With it dropped, some 15's will look great.
Yeah, the 15 inchers w/ tires are taller, so they'll fill up the wells better, and I'll gain some ground clearance back. I'll cut another 1/2 coil in front (shox/struts I got from our friend in Batesville raised the car a/b 1/2") the rear tires should be a/b centered.

Then it's time to start saving for drop spindles, new springs, adj front struts and adj fox shox for rear. I wanna go a bit lower - NO MORE WHEELWELL GAP!!

[ArkansasMystic]

Gonna look sweet! I wanted to go lower with my Cobra, but just couldn't as I was constantly dragging in 4-5 places just up/down my driveway.

[04_S/C_GT]

You already have a buyer for those wheels?

[stang man]

What O'Reilly's should have done was sell you a "lug off" which is a socket with reversed threads inside of it which screws on counter clock wise and bites into that lug and twists it off without harming anything but the lug nut. Worked there 8 years...

[Str33tr]

What O'Reilly's should have done was sell you a "lug off" which is a socket with reversed threads inside of it which screws on counter clock wise and bites into that lug and twists it off without harming anything but the lug nut. Worked there 8 years...

Yeah, they tried to sell me that, I've already got a set. I'm afraid that it won't fit, though. These pockets are pretty snug.

Went by NPF and they had every key but mine! They said they've got one ordered. I'll chk the parts counter @ the stealership in J'ville to see if they've got it. OH, and they want $25 for the key. dunno how they stay in business, raping ppl like that.

[Str33tr]

You already have a buyer for those wheels?

yup, assuming I can get this off w/o doing any damage. Then I've gotta get the tire patched (buyer knows all a/b this) and order my new wheels/tires!

Someone that knew these weren't really the wheels I wanted asked me if I was ready to sell 'em, and he made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

[ArkansasMystic]

Wow, more I hear about this the more I like my local dealer. Hooked me up with an awesome paint job on the Mystic, good work with a lifetime warranty, and also cheapest place I've found. When my wheels were locked on, they removed the lug nuts free of charge. Hard to beat good customer service, guess you can't get that as easily in the larger cities. Are all four wheels still on the car with the locking lug nuts?

[Str33tr]

Wow, more I hear about this the more I like my local dealer. Hooked me up with an awesome paint job on the Mystic, good work with a lifetime warranty, and also cheapest place I've found. When my wheels were locked on, they removed the lug nuts free of charge. Hard to beat good customer service, guess you can't get that as easily in the larger cities. Are all four wheels still on the car with the locking lug nuts?

yup, all locked on the car, w/ a flat. The parts counter guy said that the shop has a key, and if I could get my car there they could get it off, but my options are a) drive on flat tire or b) have car towed. I don't like either of those.

[ArkansasMystic]

I'd attempt the socket trick on the wheel with the flat, get the spare on, then drive to the dealer. The socket thing isn't easy, but doable (as mentioned, did it with my 04 Cobra wheels).

[Str33tr]

Yeah, they tried to sell me that, I've already got a set. I'm afraid that it won't fit, though. These pockets are pretty snug.

Went by NPF and they had every key but mine! They said they've got one ordered. I'll chk the parts counter @ the stealership in J'ville to see if they've got it. OH, and they want $25 for the key. dunno how they stay in business, raping ppl like that.

I'd attempt the socket trick on the wheel with the flat, get the spare on, then drive to the dealer. The socket thing isn't easy, but doable (as mentioned, did it with my 04 Cobra wheels).

Yeah -I wasn't thinking a/b the fact that you were on cobras when you had to do that trick. My 10.5 rear cobras have more offset then your 17x9s did though so the lug is more sunk and the bottom (where the lug is) is actually stepped to be more narrow! I've only got a/b 1/2" of lock to get a bite on.

If I can't get the part @ the j'ville stealership I'll try the bolt remover kit instead of driving to LR to chk their parts counters. It'd actually be the 1st time I've used this little kit since I got it!

[horspwr]

Can you plug the tire?

[Str33tr]

Can you plug the tire?

i don't know -can I? How is this done?

[horspwr]

They sell plug kits at O'Rielly. It's like a rope with this gummy junk on it. Comes with the install tool and everything.

[Str33tr]

They sell plug kits at O'Rielly. It's like a rope with this gummy junk on it. Comes with the install tool and everything.

OK, so I'd pull the nail out of the tire and stick this in somehow? this can be done w/ the tire on the wheel? (I'm sure these sound like the world's dumbest questions, but I have 0 idea how to mess w/ a flat)

[horspwr]

Yes, you pull the object out then use the supplied tool and push the plug in and cut the excess off. Pretty easy to do, all with the tire still mounted on the rim.....

[ArkansasMystic]

Umm, duh! Yep, it'd be very easy to plug, and it'd hold up fine. It shouldn't take five minutes to plug, it'd be easier than trying to get the locking lug nut off.

[bigsweezey]

JB weld + socket= win

need to put alot, but careful not to weld the whole thing to the wheel.

[Bigjht]

+1 on the plugs, they're easy to do, as long as the nail isn't in the side wall of the tire. Then go get rid of the locking lugs. If someone wants the wheels they'll get them, locking lugs or not. Then you won't have to worry about a similar situation in the future.

[Str33tr]

Thanks for all the advice fellas! didn't get to go by the J'ville ford dealership last nite -traffic going from sherwood into J'ville is REDONKULOUS. Also didn't get a chance to try my bolt removal kit, I was playing Mr. Mom last nite. Mrs will be back in town tonite so I'll have a chance to mess w/ this tire issue...

[1low03gt]

Do the plug thing like already stated.Very,very easy to do.Follow the instructions,and your golden.
But this doesn't solve your locking nut issue though.

[Str33tr]

took off work yesterday to get this sorted out. We (I say we, Stumbaugh did it) plugged the tire and I aired it up w/ a bicycle pump and drove straight to Tires4Less in J'ville. They totally hooked me up! I had them pull the locking lugs from all 4wheels, and they yanked the 315 from the Termi wheel (RIP 315: there was a hole in the sidewall) and bolted on one of my tribar wheels so I could get the car home. While I was there I picked up a 295/50-15! I wanted to see how this was going to look and chk clearances. It's tight, lemme tell you guys! FULL WHEELWELLS! Today I'm going to try to do something I've dreamt of doing since I was a little boy: special order a set of wheels! Then, it's time to cut the front springs a hair, and get it all mounted up.
The Termis seem to be quite happy in their new home -can anyone find their new home on the forums? (this is like "Where's Waldo?", but cooler...)

[oxman]

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg289/smoothoperator02/Tires.jpg
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg289/smoothoperator02/OnJacksStands.jpg
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg289/smoothoperator02/OnJacks.jpg
pics of the swap out.

[Str33tr]

Thanx buddy!
Let me narrate a bit here:
Progression in the rear wheelwells -Right to left is the original (size, not the actual tire from '95...) 245 on the factory 17x8 tribar, then the 315 on a 17x10.5 termi wheel, and finally the 295/50-15! Thing's a monster. http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg289/smoothoperator02/Tires.jpg
This is deja vu... wife looked at the car when she got home and said "again? Already?"http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg289/smoothoperator02/OnJacksStands.jpg
Some how this one got flipped, but anyway -shows how gigantic this tire is! Need to get it a friend... http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg289/smoothoperator02/OnJacks.jpg

[Jeff2000GT]

Sorry to hear about the father in law. On a different note, I went and picked up the 03 Cobras for my Stang, put them on at 10 o'clock that night when I got home, ended up loosing the key so my brand new wheels were locked to the car. I took a regular deep socket, found one that was a tight fit over the locking lug nut, hammered it on, and then slowly used a big ratchet to remove the nut. It worked, but was a real pain and took a while. After getting the first one done, I decided to run by the local Ford service department. Guy grabbed a tool kit, walked out and in about a minute had the locks removed from the other 3 wheels. These were OEM locking nuts, and they had a master key that would work with them. You can do it with the socket, not sure if you've tried that yet since you can't drive it at the moment.

+1 on that technique

when i bought my stang the prior owner had put locking lugs on it and failed to leave the key in the vehicle.. so i took it to a tire shop and this is the method they used, it took nearly 2 hours to get all 20 lug nuts off but it worked.. after that i bought some el cheap-o Vatozone locks and i broke the key as well but luckily they still carried the exact ones I bought.. then i tried a few other brands, breaking those keys as well.. Once you do finally get them off, invest in a set of Gorilla lug nuts... they carry them on Americanmucle.com or at most decent wheel/tire shops.. I can't imagine anybody ever breaking those.. good luck man..

edit: i see you already got em off.. lol new setup looks good..