Roamer

Okay guys, I got my 86 Carrera in May and have decided to flush the brakes and change pads. Unfortunately, now 6 months later I have learned that I DO NOT have the key for the wheel locks. I was told by the local Porsche dealer that I need to drill out the locks and replace with McGuard locks.

My question is do I have any other options?

Jeff Curtis

Without the keys, and the fact that your dealer obviously cannot obtain a key for you...no, you don't have a choice...you need to destroy the locks and move on. <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />

When that happened to me, after purchasing a 944 YEARS ago, I used a nail punch and a ball peen shop hammer - basically punched the lock down inside so it destroyed the pins and I was able to get the lock casing off to have access to the lug nut.

I did replace them with McGuard "Tough Locks"...but the new Porsche wheel lock sets that are out there are MUCH better as they are aluminum and won't upset the balance of your wheel as much.

The McGuard locks are steel and will affect balancing a bit.

Paul H

Try drilling and tapping a 5/16 hole in the center, a hex head bolt with lock-nuts should remove it.

tchanson

FWIW, drilling them out is not the only option.

I lost a set of keys some years back for the factory locks. Went to a local locksmith who picked the locks without damage and made a new set of keys.

Took all of 15 minutes and about $20, as I recall.

Just an another option.

Good luck,
Tim

Jon Sailer

I had the same problem with mine. I lost the key and had someone pick the lock. The first one took about 3-5 minutes and then was able to pop the last three off in about the same amount of time.

Once they are off I believe there may be a number inside them (I do not have mine anymore to verify). This number can be used to get a spare from the dealer.

Jon

Steve W

Yes, you can pick them. I lost my key, and picked one of them off myself in a few minutes. Took a key blank, and filed the necessary grooves in the key until all the pins lined up, which you can see from the backside. Or, just go to a locksmith.

Jeff Curtis

"Picking" my locks was an option...but I figure the locks are useless anyway, after all, if they're so easy to pick, well...

But I'm glad you guys brought up that option - guess I was so "locked" (pun intended) on destroying them to get the worthless things off that I didn't care.

The McGuard or the new factory lock options make MUCH more sense...although no wheel lock is undefeatable...if they were, there would be a lot of unhappy people out there.

Roamer

Well, I guess I am forced to make a decision here. I am a little concerned that the McGuards might take the wheels out of balance, but I like their better design and reliablity (i.e. no chambers to fail, etc.)

I will call around to find out a price on picking the locks and then making new keys, if it is more than the McGuard's I will just drill them out.

Thanks to all!

scottb

I recently had my 84 in for an alignment and service. My wrench told me that he had a difficult time removing the old style locks, and strongly urged me to get the new style factory locks. Not wanting to destroy the originality of the car, I ignored his advice. Well, a couple of weeks later I took the car in to Al Reed's Specialty Polishing to have the wheels polished and, you guessed it, the locks would not come off. In fact, the key stuck in the lock and would not come out. Al sent me to a nearby independent Porsche shop, and the mechanic put a vice grips on the lock, hooked a slide hammer on to the vice grips, and with one easy pull had the locks off. Not much security there! The new style factory locks look great, are much more secure, and there isn't a hint of wheel unbalance at high speed. They're only about $60 from Pelican.

Wil Ferch

Marc:
Hello , neighbor....
"Dave" says use vice grips and a slide hammer...off in a jiffy.
Come over to his shop and he'll probably do it for you !
-- Wil

Roamer

Thanks all, I think I may go with the slide hammer route instead, given the difficulty these factory locks seem to give everyone else.

Wil, I will give you a call, and tell Dave thanks!

Marc

P.S. what the hell is a slide hammer?

Wil Ferch

Roamer:
LOL...you'll see !!!
---Wil

PS- a heavy weight that "slides" along a shaft, and makes an "impact load" on the item it is hooked up to....

George 86T

This MIGHT be a good time to check and make sure you have an EXTRA wheel lock key included with your spare set kept at home and another in the glovebox! That's the best way to insure you'll never need it! I've attached an extra under a screw head in my trunk area.