Anyone know anything about cars?

potato58

potato58

potato58

Associate
Joined
27 Jul 2011
Posts
120
Hi guys,

Took my old car for a service and apparently the mechanic can't get the front wheels off to do the brakes because this thing is worn out.

Does anyone know what it is and where I could get a new one?

It's some sort of thing to get the nuts off the wheels or something. Apparently Renault have stopped making it (1999 Laguna). If my mechanic dude can just get the stupid things off then he can swap them for more up-to-date nuts or wheel locks or whatever they are.

Thanks a bunch.

6J0Ach.jpg

kxDeih.jpg

mZeNph.jpg

Jx8dNh.jpg

EWeNp

vY3X6.jpg
 
It's a locking wheel nut key, and yes, it looks pretty shagged!

Surprised a garage couldn't get the nuts off still though...
 
Before this gets moved let me just say I had this exact problem a couple of weeks ago (if this is locking wheel nuts that is) I never got given any when I bought the car and didn't realize until a mechanic came round and he asked for it.

You can buy a 'locking wheel nuts remover' from Halfords but I wouldn't bother. Save yourself a few bob by simply finding a socket that is one size too small to go over the nut, then grab a hammer and whack it on. Once it's on tight, simply use a the wrench to get them off.

The hard bit is getting the removed bolt back off the socket but you just hammer it off.

Either way, you'll need new locking wheel nuts.
 
estebanrey said:
Before this gets moved let me just say I had this exact problem a couple of weeks ago (if this is locking wheel nuts that is) I never got given any when I bought the car and didn't realize until a mechanic came round and he asked for it.

You can buy a 'locking wheel nuts remover' from Halfords but I wouldn't bother. Save yourself a few bob by simply finding a socket that is one size too small to go over the nut, then grab a hammer and whack it on. Once it's on tight, simply use a the wrench to get them off.

The hard bit is getting the removed bolt back off the socket but you just hammer it off.

Either way, you'll need new locking wheel nuts.
Click to expand...

This! I bought the wheel nut remover to get one off and then when I could be arsed just bought two sockets that were just a little too small for the nut.

Line it up and hammer **** out of it and it'll come off with ease.

Edit : Need more pics :P
 
andi said:
Surprised a garage couldn't get the nuts off still though...
Click to expand...

I'm not, we have a garage where I work and I told the guys that I'd lost my locking wheel nut key and all they told me was to go to an official BMW dealer who will have a key they can use.

My problem was I couldn't move the car due to the fault I was fixing. It was the internet where I got the advice to use a socket one size too small (worked like a treat though)

But that reminds me, if OP can drive his car and he can get to a dealer for his make of car and he has the original wheel nuts, they will almost certainly have a set of master keys to take them off without damaging them (but then you need new ones anyway for future issues).
 
Last edited:
Jonny ///M said:
This! I bought the wheel nut remover to get one off and then when I could be arsed just bought two sockets that were just a little too small for the nut.

Line it up and hammer **** out of it and it'll come off with ease.

Edit : Need more pics :P
Click to expand...

I know, it was so easy it kind of makes you wonder what the point of them are. I suppose wheel thieves don't go around with a socket set.

The only caveat I would say is the really expensive locking wheel nuts don't have a 'fixed' head so if you bash on a socket it just turns without unscrewing.
 
Last edited:
I lost one of those types of things on my previous car. Was an absolute nightmare getting the wheel off without it. Can't even remember how I managed in the end. Perhaps I sold it on rather than have to deal with it.

There were lots of suggestions for the socket and hammer technique though. Mine was a merc though so that didn't work.
 
^Yup,

Ask the garage if they've got a suitable replacement (non locking!) before taking it off though.

Unless you've got nice aftermarket wheels, the chances of someone taking your wheels are very slim
 
Don't buy anything yourself, your average garage should be able to remove this without too much hassle. Maybe even for free!
 
I would be quite upset if I asked my local garage to remove a wheel and they couldn't, regardless of how shagged a bolt was. :confused:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom