I have an '88 Trans Am w/ wheel lock lug nuts. Years ago, my dad didn't put the key on the lug all the way and partially stripped the key. Well I went to check the brakes last night and the key stripped the rest of the way.

Obviously, the best solution would be to get a new key, but I have no idea what the model # is or anything. If I remember correctly, my dad's buddy actually got the set from a late-80's Bonneville. I also thought about making a key from an old socket, but I don't know if I could cut it precisely enough or if it would be strong enough.

I could drill the studs out or grind down the lug nut, but that would take forever. A cutting wheel would be a lot faster and easier (I would cut the lug down the center so it would break into 2 semi-circular pieces) but one slip and it would gash the rim. Can anybody think of a way to protect the rim? Does anybody have any other ideas?

Here's a pic -- each wheel has 1 locking lug nut and the rest are just regular lugs.

 

Here's another pic. Of course I plan on removing the black plastic center piece of the rim to get a little more room to work in there.

 

You could always just go to a local dealer or Firestone and have them take them off for you for a small fee. They have master sets.

 

They /should/ have master sets, the two Pontiac and 3 GM dealerships in my area did not have them, and I could not get them removed without damaging the wheel. I got some old acorn lug nuts, a welder, and welded them on the end of the keyed nuts for a one time removal and disposal.

 

i had the same problem.. went to a dealer.. they zipped it off for free..

 

i had the same problem with my old fiero. i didnt know about the dealer master set, so i found a socket with the multiple grooves about the size of a lug nut and ****-eyed it on the lug just a bit and twisted it write off with no damage to stud or wheel. just my .02.... p.s. use a crappy socket just in case it breaks

 

hammer a 19mm (?) socket over it
that's what I did for all four of mine.

 

There's a special socket called a lock nut removal tool. It has a left hand thread in it. Screws on over the lock nut, bites down and spins it off. It's about $5.00. Most autoparts places should be able to get one for you.

 

Yep, had to do the same when I found out I lost my key then got a flat during the coldest winter in NE for a long time. That sucked.

 

Sears has something like that called a "Bolt Out"... is that what u'r talking about? I got ahold of a set a couple days ago and the "19mm" bolt-out is too small. If u think about a traditional hex head bolt, it's the distance between the points of the hexagon that is 19mm -- the distance between the flat sides is actually less than that, and that's where the bolt-out grabs on. But the locking lug nut is round, so it's basically 19mm all around.

And for the same reason, I can't get a 19mm socket to fit over it either. I even tried beating it on w/ a 4lb sledge hammer. I can beat a 13/16 on it, but it doesn't hold well enough to turn it.

We have an electric welder, but we've never used it. And I don't think working in a tight space around expensive aluminum rims is a good place to start. We have an acetylene torch, but that would be even worse!

We also checked w/ a couple dealerships yesterday for master sets... no dice.

Someone suggested cutting into it w/ a chisel and beating it at an angle so it would spin, but all it did was cut across the top of the nut. So I tried a punch instead and the top of the nut just bent back.

So we're gonna call a few more tire places today, and my dad's friend has a couple of old GM locking lug nut sets in his garage. So maybe I'll get lucky and we'll find a match.

I also have a small metal working project that needs electric welding... I've kinda been putting it off till I have more time, but it's a good thing to practice on. Maybe I'll see how it goes and, if I feel comfortable w/ it, I'll try welding something to the nut.

 

NAPA sells a special socket designed to be hammered on. It made of a hardened alloy that cuts into the lug and has a left hand flut so as you turn it counter clock it digs in more. It's not dirt cheap and it ruins the locking lug, but it does work. Let me know if the local can't come up with the number the 1 in balkamp is cheaper than the one in NTP (NAPA Tire Hardware). hope this helps.

 

Used a 3/4 12 point and a BFH. Add impact and off it came.

 

I took a dril bit same size as hole drilled the center just to get a center point. Then took about a 1-4th drill bit drilled the center of the stud out. Then I took a drill that I started with and drilled the rest out. Keep drill oiled and make sure you don't fun drill to fast. Don't want to heat up and get hard spot. This only works if your going to replace stud or rotors. Didn't take long to do it takes longer to gather the tools.

 

Well I finally got this taken care of last night. My dad's friend only had 3 keys and none of them fit, but he had a 25/32 12pt Craftsman socket -- that's a pretty rare socket and I didn't wanna ruin it, but it was the best of the remaining ideas.

So I hammered it on and it gripped pretty well. I took the 1st lug off and then I used the vise to get the lug out of the socket. I closed the vise enough that the nut would fit thru but the socket wouldn't. It was a 1/2" drive socket, so I used a 3/8" extension to pound the nut out. As it turned out, I was better off using a good quality socket -- the pts inside the socket cut into the nut, so the nut gave way but the socket was barely damaged. I did all 4 lugs the same way.

 

I drilled 2 out,didnt take long.I drilled only as far as the disc.I then hammered out the studs and put some new ones in easily.The locking nuts I had were an appalling design and rounded off with the slightest pressure.

 

I welded a bolt to it and then just used a socket.

 

When I had my car in to get the tires changed, I left my key at home. The guy I know at the shop said he had a few things they could try, and the first option worked. It was a socket that had a left-hand cutting thread in it (as mentioned above), and zipped the lug right off with an impact. Amazingly, it didn't damage the lug either. I'd like to convert over to the 7-point stainless/titanium lugnuts one of these days, but if you ever lose that key, good luck finding something that will work on a 7-point, lol

 

lol go figure, the day after I post about it I get a blow-out on my buick with locking lugs. Too bad I couldnt find my lock. I ended up getting it off on the side of the highway with a wrench actually.

 

Not all of them!!!

 

I wish I lived in your part of the country! Half the dealers around here either "ain't heard a no such thang", can only get something like it in a "kit" (cheapest one being Sears automotive @ $29.99), or tell me they don't know where you can get one.

In short, I don't know which auto parts store you went to cause I sure as hell would like to buy something for only $5 (+ shipping and handling) that would solve this issue as soon as it gets here!