Locking wheel nuts

[mike_gti]

I seem to have lost my locking wheel nut key, and my local VW garage said all they could do would be to drill them out and sell me a new set. ?50 for drilling out and about ?25 for new ones. ?75 just to be able to take my wheels off!! Any cheaper idea ???s?

[miketheman2k]

Yeah, try:

Taking a large socket, and smashing it over the locking wheel nut (with wood between the two) until it sits so tight it will grip and turn. This wont work with all of them, but might if it is slightly angled or grippy on the outside of it.

or

Drill it out yourself! A large metal drill bit will only be about ?7, then buy yourself a nice shiny new set from Halford for about ?15!

Mike

[8vgti]

or buy a 'gator grip' spanner (the one with lots of little pins in the head), which may be ale to grip the locking nuts and take them off as normal.....but if it doesnt work you have just spent ?15 on a new spanner!! May not work, but I seen articles in the past where it has worked, but for the wrong reason, i.e. so someone can nick some alloys Argos sell gator grips I think

[Overseer]

cant you buy a new key if you have that bit of card with the code on it?

i had one floating around in my boot

[mike_gti]

That's a reasonable suggestion, I'll check to see if I've got one in my boot.

[Overseer]

crossing me fingers

[Golfer]

mate - know where you're coming from.  I lost the key attachment on me last car - not a VW, but it had the locking nuts with the 'unqiue fit' attachment socket (i.e. not a key).  Anyway, took it me Dad's workshop on the Easter Monday and got them off as follows:

- Hammered a small lump out of the outside bit of the nut.
- Used a chisel and hammer to tap the nut round til it came loose.  

Being a bank holiday the Police were cruising round the undustrial estate checking on things.  They came across us, car jacked up taking a mallet to some pricey alloys on a sports car.   Quite amuzing really.  Had to prove it was mine!