My wifes 87 firebird has a flat and the wheel lock tool is striped out big time.I had to cut off the other ones already and it took awile.Anyone know a easier way or a trick to getting them off.I used a hammer and chisel last time,is this the only way?

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~mike~
1 superclean 86IROC-Z

 

weld a regular lug-nut to the locking lug-nut and remove.


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82 camaro--original steering wheel, brake/gas pedals, seats--everything else modified
82camaro

 

vise-grip pliers

 

Buy a 19 or 20 MM six point deep well 1/2" drive IMPACT socket and pound it onto whats left of the lug nut with a 10lb hammer. Then take the nut off with a huge breaker bar from Sears or a tool truck. Works every time. The trick is getting the old lug nut out of the socket.

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84 Camaro ZZ4 with HOT cam. 1.88 60' (12.98 @ 105MPH E.T.)
Other Mods: You name it and I have probably changed it.

2001 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 5.9L 4*2

ASE Certified Auto Tech
LIVE AND DIE BY THE ALMIGHTY BOWTIE!

 

I dont have access to a welder and with a flat I cant drive to one.How would I pound a 6 point socket onto something that is round?in 87 the 15 in.firebird wheels had a lock with a flat round face,no nut.I will give the vise grips a shot,might work if its not to tight.

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~mike~
1 superclean 86IROC-Z

 

Here's something else for you to try- if it works, let me know.

Put the other 4 wheel lug nuts back on. Crank them down HARD. Now try using pliers on the locking nut; it should come off. Right now all the tension of that wheel is on one lug.

This worked for me when my wheel nut stripped on me as I was changing a flat in the middle of nowhere. Let me know!


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

I had this same problem once. I had two totally triped out. I went to a dealership who just happened to have a great tool for this and they let me borrow it for free. My dad was friends with the owner. Its a tool set made by craftsman. In the set it has sockets that are round on the inside. The Inside diameter is exactly the same as the outside diameter of the wheel locks so you have to hammer it on. It has a 1/2 inch drive and can be used with a impact wrench.It also has a tool made for it to knock out the wheel lock from the socket once its removed from the wheel. There are many different size sockets in it too. You will pay probally a lot to buy it from sears and it will probally have to be ordered. The one the dealer had was the only one I've ever seen. So a dealer may let you borrow one or find someone who professionally steals rims from cars!!

 

thanks,as soon as it gets above freezing,I will give it a try.

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~mike~
1 superclean 86IROC-Z

 

Damnit Quit Doubting Me! I have done this over 100 times. Auto repaiar was what I did for six years of my life! The SOFT impact socket will expand and the lug nut will patially peel back allowing a perfectly tight fit. The wheel lock tools do not always work because they stretch out too wide and only allow limited torque. JUST GET AN IMPACT SOCKET, SMASH THAT FU(KER ON, AND TAKE THE LUG NUT OFF.

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84 Camaro ZZ4 with HOT cam. 1.88 60' (12.98 @ 105MPH E.T.)
Other Mods: You name it and I have probably changed it.

2001 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 5.9L 4*2

ASE Certified Auto Tech
LIVE AND DIE BY THE ALMIGHTY BOWTIE!

 

even if you could get a six point socket onto a hardened steel ROUND lock(not a nut)what kinda tork would you have to wrench it off if the soft socket "expands"over it.Does it then contract back tight around it? I am sure your thinking of some other type lock,and on that im sure it does work,if you have done it.Not gonna call you a liar.In fact if the vise-grips dont work,which i dont think they will,I will try your idea.I just dont see how the socket is going on that round lock.thanks for your time.

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~mike~
1 superclean 86IROC-Z

 

The lug nut is alot softer than you think but still hard enough to hold in the socket. Make sure your socket is one size smaller than the stock socket size for really stripped ROUND wheel locks. Try an(18MM), if that does'nt go on use a 19MM. Just remembered that stock socket size is 19MM not 21MM.

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84 Camaro ZZ4 with HOT cam. 1.88 60' (12.98 @ 105MPH E.T.)
Other Mods: You name it and I have probably changed it.

2001 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 5.9L 4*2

ASE Certified Auto Tech
LIVE AND DIE BY THE ALMIGHTY BOWTIE!

 

Oh yeah, this is for stock wheel locks and some aftermarket locks but mostly stock wheel locks.

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84 Camaro ZZ4 with HOT cam. 1.88 60' (12.98 @ 105MPH E.T.)
Other Mods: You name it and I have probably changed it.

2001 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 5.9L 4*2

ASE Certified Auto Tech
LIVE AND DIE BY THE ALMIGHTY BOWTIE!

 

mike,the lock itself isnt stripped its the tool.just wondering,have you seen the actual lock im talking about?its like no other i have seen.I do understand,and have hamered plenty of sockets onto stripped nuts,but this is not the same thing.again im not saying you dont know what your talking about ,i just think we are talking about two differant things.again,if all else fails i will try it.and thanks for your input.

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~mike~
1 superclean 86IROC-Z

 

the vise-grips worked!

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~mike~
1 superclean 86IROC-Z

 

Cool!


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84 Camaro ZZ4 with HOT cam. 1.88 60' (12.98 @ 105MPH E.T.)
Other Mods: You name it and I have probably changed it.

2001 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 5.9L 4*2

ASE Certified Auto Tech
LIVE AND DIE BY THE ALMIGHTY BOWTIE!

 

hey mike,thanks for your help anyway.

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~mike~
1 superclean 86IROC-Z

 

Glad to here my advise worked. I bet you wont put locks back on after seeing how easy they come off.

 

yeh,kinda pointless if you can take them off with vise-grips.It is a tight fit though.Its just our beater so I will put regular nuts on.thanks alot.sometimes its the simple ideas that work best.

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~mike~
1 superclean 86IROC-Z