Fitting Locking Wheel Nuts

Kingy · 28 Nov 2007 at 12:54

Noob question here, but I had a problem at the weekend when I went to have some new tyres fitted to my vRS, as apparently the locking wheel nut key wasn't returned when I had my brakes uprated.

They managed to force the old locking nuts off, but didn't have a replacement set to fit, so they fitted the 4 standard nuts, and I've bought a set of McGard Ultra which arrived today.

So, I'm aware that when you fit wheel nuts you're supposed to screw them in with the wheel off the ground, and then tighten them on the ground, but is it necessary to jack the car up to screw the locking nuts in, or can I just screw in and tighten them without jacking the car up?

I only ask as it's cold and I'm a girl and would like to get it done as quick as poss, but don't want to affect the balance or something? (don't really know why you're not supposed to tighten the nuts with the wheel off the ground)

Any help appreciated.

Confused · 28 Nov 2007 at 12:56

Just removing one nut from each wheel and putting on a locking nut won't cause any issues whatsoever.

Normally wheel nuts are tightened when the car is on the floor so it's easier to do them up without the wheel spinning

Dublove · 28 Nov 2007 at 12:58

as long as you don't undo every nut on each wheel and just do the locking nut you'll be fine!

Lead_Head · 28 Nov 2007 at 13:04

It's a bit worrying that a locking nut could be forced off. It questions the point of actually having locking wheel nuts in the first place!

Kingy · 28 Nov 2007 at 13:15

ConfusedTA said:
Normally wheel nuts are tightened when the car is on the floor so it's easier to do them up without the wheel spinning

Ta

dalin80 · 28 Nov 2007 at 13:18

Lead_Head said:
It's a bit worrying that a locking nut could be forced off. It questions the point of actually having locking wheel nuts in the first place!

the idea is that they make nicking alloys more hassle then its worth, even we with a workshop full of tools have spent hours trying to get locking nuts out without the keys.

jamief · 28 Nov 2007 at 13:34

Locking wheel nuts aren't intended to prevent wheel theft, they are intended to make it much more difficult to remove the wheels. If someone is determined enough and has enough time they'll get them off. If you are really concerned about your wheels, get an alarm with a tilt sensor, although it'll probably cost more than your wheels!