Removing wheel locks without the key. Easy!
 

I just finishing removing all four of my wheel locks and I thought I'd share the procedure just in case anyone else has the same problem. I believe I drove away with the key attached several months ago but I'm not completely sure. :)

I didn't come up with this procedure but I couldn't find the original reference. I believe it was on 6speed. I don't personally believe that the locks would be a substantial deterrent for a motivated thief, so I don't think this post will result in net harm. But feel free to debate.

The key piece of information is that you will need an old 11/16" socket. That socket size fits on the round portion of the wheel locks with a little persuasion. I used a 12-point socket which is likely preferable since the socket needs to cut into the bolt to hold. More points means more friction.

Removing the wheel locks with the socket only takes slightly longer than removing the rest of the lug nuts. By far the most time consuming step is to remove the old lock bolt from the socket.

Procedure is pretty straightforward

• Find a piece of heavy cardboard to place over the wheel to reduce the chance of damage. Cut a hole in the cardboard large enough to push the socket through. Just in case you miss the socket when hammering it onto the wheel lock.
• Hammer the 11/16" (12 point) socket onto the wheel lock bolt. It takes a bit of force and a few hits with a regular hammer.
• Slowly twist off the bolt using your favorite breaker bar.
• Here is the tricky part. Once the bolt is removed, put the socket and bolt into a vise, and hammer the bolt out of the socket. I used a 1/4" extension and a large hammer. It wasn't easy. Or just buy 4 sockets so that you can throw them out afterwards with trying to remove the bolt.

Piece of cake. No need to take it to the dealership or buy one of those special extractor sockets. And probably no need to replace the locks since they can obviously be removed pretty easily.

Hmmm. Good info. Thanks.

I dumped my wheel locks long ago. PITA.

Do my best not to leave the car overnight on Skid Row.

Good to know this if I need/loose the wheel lock key.

I had to do this with two of the locking wheel bolts on my recently purchased car. Two wheels with locking bolts attached and two without. I used a 1/2" drive nut extractor socket, which I was able to reuse on each one without a vice or similar. The whole extractor socket set cost me $95 (CAD).

http://www.princessauto.com/en/detai...rs/A-p8381931e

I'm with Cuda, I'm dumped my wheel locks when I bought the car, I'm hoping someone will steal them so that I can get a brand new set of BBS wheels. hahaha... j/k... actually I'm not, I could use a new set!

Seriously, my wheel lock key cracked from over torque. I drove to Porsche and they kindly identified the correct key number and offered to remove it free. I guess it's one of the few things they're willing to do without charging you an arm and leg.

Nice write up though... good to know there are work around if someone is in a bind.

Wheel locks are so 1980's and usually more trouble than they're worth IMO.

If you must have them to compliment your tape deck, at least email the lock code to yourself so you have it in the cloud and not somewhere it can get lost. All good wheel locks have a key code where the manufacturer can send you a replacement.

Obviously this won't help if you're in a jam and need it on the spot right away.

:roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:

Or just keep an 11/16" socket handy and a hammer. That was kinda the point of this thread and it solves the "need it on the spot right away".

However I am also a believer that they are more trouble than they are worth. In my case I was just too lazy to order regular bolts to replace them. If anyone hasn't removed them already, I would recommend adding 4 regular lug bolts to your next Pelican Parts or ECS order :)

Here here...:cheers:

Handy info Kgoertz, however, common sockets come in two flavors, 6 point and 12 point you didn’t specify which one. From the cut-in indentations on your wheel bolt it looks like you used a 12 point. Is that right?

If you heat the end of the socket cherry red before you whack it onto the locking lug, you will have created a locking lug bolt removal tool that can be used over and over and you won't have to throw away the locking lug.

That said, I don't see the point of the locking lugs and don't use them.

The moral of this story: If you're such a crappy wrench that you can't consistently hit a socket with a hammer, you probably also have underdeveloped, girlish arms so weak that a piece of cardboard will be all you need to prevent your hammer from damaging your wheel.

Just busting on you, OP - that's a great tip that everyone should use IMMEDIATELY - assuming their key is missing - to get rid of those stupid keyed lug bolts. NOW.

12 point. Good call. I'll update the first post. Thanks!

Okay funny story. I was really paying attention for the first wheel, and the second and maybe the third. I didn't need any stinkin' cardboard. But I realized I needed it for the fourth wheel (after-the-fact of course).

One of my winter projects will now be to correct the small dent on my wheel. Thankfully I polished them myself so I know how to fix :)