UGH!

So, I couldn't find the key to my lug locks, and had the brilliant idea..."Hey...I'll just break them off!" so I could complete my brake job. They looked fragile enough. Well, damned if they aren't on there like white on rice!

I think these are OE Porsche lugs and locks (1 on each wheel...I only have them on the rear; took the fronts off and trashed them last time I had them off and forgot to do the same to the rear).

Anyway...the lug seems to have an internal ridge right at the top, and the lock slips on top of the lug. When you turn the key (looks like a luggage lock key, regular old tumble mechanism) the lock grabs the rim of the lug, locking it on. The lock is just a solid cap save for the keyhole.

Has anyone busted anything like this off before? I started trying to pry out the inner lock mechanism from the shell, but I can't get anything to break quite yet. Then I hammered a pick into the keyhole hoping to break the pins, to no avail.

Ideas! Thanks!

On a side note...I found the key about 5 minutes after I gave up trying to break the lock. Needless to say, it doesn't exactly fit in the hole anymore.

 

You can actually just torch them and pry them off, using care obviously. I had the same problem since my car didn't come with a key and a call the the local Porsche dealer led me to this method.

 

Drill out the center. Keep drilling with bigger bits if it's not coming off. I can drill out all 4 in under 5 minutes. Having good sharp drill bits works wonders.

 

As Dmitry stated above, drilling out the center is the way to go. Just don't go too deep or you will get into the stud. The lock lugnut is a little longer than the standard lugnut so you will have about 1/2 or so worth of drilling space there before you get into the stud. I've had to do this twice in the past (not my p-car, someone elses ).

I also heard (but never tried it), that you can drive a stout flathead screwdriver into the keyhole, then put a pair of vicegrips on the screwdriver and turn it to force the lock.

 

Channel locks and a cordless drill will do it. Had to do mine, unfortunately.

 

Nice chisel/punch/blunt object in the center and a hammer...smashed it into oblivion came right off.
Just as hard to get around as our actual door locks...which is not at all!

Of course do not try this at home blah blah blah. Every car I have bought had these on them and the first thing I do is take them off !...most of the time with the supplied key

 

Chisel from the top. Get it behind the edge and smack it hard. The tumbler will fall out, pull off the shield and you'll be able to unscrew the nuts. Maybe 1 minute for the first one and 15 seconds for each following lock.

 

The lock cylinder in only held in by a small circlip. You can take a stout center punch to the middle on the cylinder and just knock it into the wheel lock.

 

It is possible to easily pick them with some small screwdrivers too, if you have not trashed them already.

 

i think i have some spare lugs laying around if you need four.

 

dremel tool... just cut it off. thats what i did

 

I went at it with a hammer and a punch... first one took FOREVER... the last 3 were no problem after that...

Where was the key? it fell onto the seat rail as I was moving the seat foward... was cut in half...

 

Hmm I still have my wheel lock key with no car to go with it!

 

Why do you all even want to take them off permanently in the first place? (besides not having a key)

 

Yep. Drill out the cores.