Installed on my firebird are locking nuts. I do not have the key. How do i get these off? Looking at new tires, and before i bring it up to the shop, i want to get the lockers off.

Well, the way Ive done it before, was to hammer a deepwell socket onto it, one that is just a little to small to fit over it. Of course you risk ruining your socket, but youll get the lockers off.

Or-
Find a factory lugnut key, which is what I am looking for.

Any shop will do it for you, or you can at home.

Find a socket just about the same size, just slightly smaller. Hammer it on, with the hex sides "biting in", then use your socket wrench, probably your breaker bar, to take the lug off.

You may have to sacrifice the socket, if you can't knock the lug nut out, so I suggest a cheapo, Chinese, throw-away socket be used.

Thats good, Cause ive got about a million of em.

Thats a really good idea.

My old man suggested welding another lugnut on top of the locker.

Would that be viable? ive got a welder, but i dont want to drag it out.

You could weld, sure. Just takes more effort that way.

Yeah, thats what i was thinking also.

Do they make a universal key?

Kinda doubt it. Even if they did, it would exactly be very easy for the general public to buy.

The Gator Grip socket is the closest that I can think of, that might work as one.

pound a throw-away socket on it . remove & throw it away , if a un-licensed re-cycler wants your tires or rims he will get them . it's wrong but the way things are . good luck .

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

Kinda like this?

I suppose you could HAMMER on YOUR Wheel studs if you want! If it were my car, I would go to Sears and buy a lug nut removal tool. It looks like a regular socket from the outside but the inside is spiral cut to grip the nut. Many of the wheel and tire shops have these on hand, so they can work on cars that have lost the key. They just make it clear that they will not accept the liability of you driving off without replacing the lugnut FIRST.

Exactly....Scary how easy it is, huh?

Yeah, Im not that worried about having my rims stolen.

I live in a really good town.


but i got the car from a lady who lived in east detroit.

Yeah, If only John Q. Public knew.

Wish whoever screwed up a wheel I bought knew about that trick. One pocket has been mangled to death from someone trying to get the security lug nut off. The damage didn't show up in the picture and didn't know till I had the wheel in my hands

I effing love them things.

But as everyone is saying just use an old socket you don't need. Thats all i did.

I use the weld method as I hate running to the store for something I can improvise for free

i have seen some great ideas here but i am very lazy so i would buy one at gm.

Buy one what? The chances of getting a new key for them, is slim to none.

I removed mine as well - on EVERY vehicle I own! Want my old stock rims - TAKE THEM! That's what I have insurance for!

the rims are on the car. if the car runs then take it over and ask them which fits.
i had to do it once.
and a lot of locksmiths have about every key that has ever been made - and these are part of what they keep copies of.

I've done this twice. If you have a compressor, a wiz wheel and a air hammer with chisel, you can cut a slot into the locker and then use the air chisel in that groove to spin the nut. I'd also heat that locker up to loosen it. This does work....if you dont have the tools, any mechanic should be able to do this.

Another less violent approach for those with more time on their hands is to determine the manufacturer, and take a clay impression of the face of the nut....send it out to them, and for ten bucks they'll send you a key. I did this with a 1984 mustang GT I had along time ago. There aren't that many brands of locking lug nuts out there......but if you're in a hurry, the other methods outlined by others will certainly work!

it's not THAT violent...but it works! Especially if some grease monkey torqued it on there too tight

i find that you can't be too careful when working around clearcoated aluminum rims............one little slip and you end up with a nasty mark! every time you see it, you'll remember how it got there!

Nice thread! Been thinking about this myself as I lost my key and I don't want to register and insure the car just to drive to the tire shop and have them take the locking nuts off. Good ideas here.