When I purchased my 1992 Trans Am vert. it had locking lugnuts, but even though the seller said he had the key, it was not there. I have been to seven different tire places trying to see if they could get the locking lugnuts removed, and non of them could. The lugnut is an inverted locking one, which according to the last tire place I was at is an uncommon version. Does anyone with locking lugnuts know if they came with the inverted lock, or if this is a set that a previous owner purchased and added on to the car?

Does anyone have any recommendations as to where to go to try to get these locking lugnuts removed?

 

confused on "inverted" locking lug nut...can you take a pic by any chance...?

there is cutting a slit in there and jamming a wedge to split the lug, there is jamming a socket on there (my personal favorite) or finding a tool that has absolutely nothing to do with lug nuts that manages to work.

Have you checked with a pontiac/chevy dealer that they possibly have universal keys???

The ones that came with my car had a little sticker in the center console stateing the company and the ### information to get a copy made.

 

Yea pount a 12point socket on there usually a 13/16 works on all of them, that will take them right off.

 

According to the supervisor at the tire place, an inverted locking lug nut has the smooth front and sides, then there is a lip that lowers to get to the part of the lugnut that needs "gripped" to be able to be removed. I can try to get a picture and post it, but the lugnuts are sunk into the wheels, so the picture might not be too detailed.

 

If they are factory locking nuts, the dealership has a full set, I used to work for both Pontiac and Chevrolet and they had a set of factory lug nut keys (there was like 24 different ones if I remember right) and will be able to remove them, but they charge an hour labor to do so.

When I was a full time Mechanic for Penske Auto Centers and Pep Boys, we had (actually I still do have) A locking lug nut removal kit.

I guess I don't see why a tire shop of all places wouldn't have this tool?

Anyway also has been stated, you can pound a socket over them usually and get them off that way.

 

VICEGRIPS and maybe some penetrating oil if its on real tight

 

I agree with Rayzor, I took mine off with vicegrips when I lost the key. Just get them on there wicked tight and it'll work fine.

 

pretty sure a 9/16 socket is what i used...hammer it on and crank that bad boy off

 

Tack weld a bolt onto it

5 mins at any exhaust shop

 

a mechanic friend of mine has a tool that kind of slides on the lug nut like a socket, but had teeth that gripped the nut when you turned it, and it came right off. Don't remember the name of the mfg though.