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I'm embarrassed to say that after more than 21 years of ownership, I have misplaced my factory lug nut key socket for my 92 GTA. I know it's someplace but I can't find it right now. I had a valve stem fail on my car that's in long term storage.
I'm not sure if these are all the same or if I need to go to the dealership with my title and have one ordered. Does anyone know?
There are tools that you can buy that basically hammer on over the lock lug nut to remove it. I had to do that on a corvette that I bought used that did not come with the key.
Just need to know that if I buy a used one that it will fit, OR that I need to have the dealer get me one using my VIN.
I would be shocked if any GM (oops) gm dealer anywhere could/would be able to provide such a part for a 30-year-old car, but I guess it's worth a shot. From what I gather from reading a few others' posts on this site concerning their experiences with dealerships and 3rd gens, most dealers don't want anything to do with any car older than 3-5 years.
As was already mentioned above, there are tools available that will remove wheel locks, but AFAIK, all of them will destroy the locking lug in the process. But that shouldn't be a big deal since you don't have a key anyway, and a new one will come with a new set of locking lug nuts if you choose to replace them once the old ones are removed. If you're not up to doing the job yourself, many tire shops have the tool(s) to do it for you. Keep in mind that there is always the possibility of wheel damage during the process. I don't think you're going to have much choice though, other than to keep looking for your original key.
Thanks. Hopefully, a member with multiple 91/92 Firebirds/Trans Am can test and let me know if the key works on multiple cars, then hopefully I can just buy or borrow a used one.
Interesting, however, none of those are the right style for a 91/92 Firebird. The key I had for my old 91 GTA was the same style as the one for my 92 GTA so I'm 100% positive I still have the factory ones.
I'm looking for this style, although I know this pic does not show the inside of the key socket head, you get the idea. The nuts in this picture are different too but sorta similar, mine have the design going to the outside edge and the cuts around it are random. As opposed to the set shown above where the keys are perfectly symmetrical.
There are 15 keys. The dealer would be worth a shot, but only to sweet talk someone at the parts counter or service department to ask if they have a master set of keys they use on customer cars. 20 years ago my local Pontiac dealer had a nearly complete set, still none of them fit the sockets I was removing. Next step would be to contact Amcor and try to get a set of keys from them. If you have the sticker in your owners manual or glove box you can order the exact key you need. The only saving grace is that the threaded lug nuts and matching keys were used long after the last thirdgen, so they're out there.
Easy way to go, destroy the old lug nuts and buy a new set with matching key. The full set was about a third the cost of a replacement key, 20 years ago.
Or.... take a break from looking.....then later look for it? I did that and find stuff lol center console? map pocket? Maybe it fell in the cup holder? Under the seats? wedged between the seat / console? In the hatch? Rolled under trim? Under floor mat? Stuck between the cushion and back rest in passendger side seat? aka the butt crack of the seat?
Youd be surprised how stuff ends up in places.... I dropped my credit card and literally saw it bounce and end up between a SUPER thin opening between two shelves.....what are the chances??? Id never look there if i hadn;t seen it bounce....
I lost my VATS keys and panicked and looked for like 3 hours...gave up and thought of my options.... then randomly..BOOm...found it. I brought it in the house and thoughtlessly put it somewhere i don;t normally look / go.... also, I got too much crap lying around lol
Yup, destroy the set you have and get a new set. I'm pretty sure about why you don't want to do that, but you might have to let go of that notion if a GM dealer won't come through for you..
I got a new set in 2005 because I neglected to tighten one, and... I have the key for that original set--somewhere. But here's the key for the current set. How does it compare?
Yup, destroy the set you have and get a new set. I'm pretty sure about why you don't want to do that, but you might have to let go of that notion if a GM dealer won't come through for you..
I got a new set in 2005 because I neglected to tighten one, and... I have the key for that original set--somewhere. But here's the key for the current set. How does it compare?
Yeah, but I suspect viewing all of the keys in that position, individually, they'd all look the same, until lined up together to see the differences.
The package might've carried ID, but that's long gone. And I don't see anything inscribed on the socket or lug nuts, other than something on the tip where the lug wrench fits on the socket. Hard to say if it's a number or a scratch, but kind of looks like a 6 or a 9.
Yeah, but I suspect viewing all of the keys in that position, individually, they'd all look the same, until lined up together to see the differences.
The package might've carried ID, but that's long gone. And I don't see anything inscribed on the socket or lug nuts, other than something on the tip where the lug wrench fits on the socket. Hard to say if it's a number or a scratch, but kind of looks like a 6 or a 9.
Didn't see anything on mine either...Probably don't want to make it easy to ID what set a car has on it.
Best bet would be for OP to hopefully find his key or to use the e-bay thing and see if that works.
Probably too late for the OP but I used a 6 point socket and a couple of nails with the heads cut off. Put the nails in 2 of the grooves and then put the socket over everything. The nails will need to be in the points of the socket may have too try different grooves. Then trap the socket on meds to be a snug fit but it worked for me.
Probably too late for the OP but I used a 6 point socket and a couple of nails with the heads cut off. Put the nails in 2 of the grooves and then put the socket over everything.
I was curious 92GTA did u find the missing lug nut key? I fully understand not wanting to destroy original equipment. If you still have the original key replacement card from Amcor with your vehicle documents you could try that route. Also defarris's solution seemed worth trying. You could probably locate a setup of 15 on line but that could be costly. Along time ago my friend drilled a carefully placed hole in his lug nut key to a 69 goat and attached it to his cars keyring as just another key. I thought it was smart to do so. GL!
Last edited by lsirg22; Sep 29, 2021 at 03:02 PM.
Reason: misspelled
If the few I have collected don't work, I'll try again to search everywhere for it when I'm back there again. I might try and nails, otherwise I'll buy a removal tool as a backup. I'm hoping when I'm down there next it will be to bring the car back to CA.
Oh that's too bad man. Out of curiosity I checked the Amcor website. They sell individual replacement keys for 25 bucks or a master set for a buck twenty. There's 21 individual keys that are coded with a letter and number. like Z1, Z2, C21, C22. I assume they are for GM cars of this era. Good luck getting that wheel off, no doubt you want to drive it back to cali ASAP.
Any new developments during the last quarter of the year?
Found my original tonight, along with its three surviving lug nuts. It's an inch taller than the replacement set I got 16 years ago. No markings of any kind on it. Original is on the right in each pic.
When I bought my car, the dealer (far away in Michigan) forgot to send the lug key. I just went to a garage here. They replaced the lugs with non-locking ones. Had no problem removing the originals without the lug key.
