Lost lug nut key - what to do?

December 30, 2018, 02:05 PM

Ozarkwoods

quote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK:
quote:
Originally posted by ensigmatic:
The last three solutions to this problem tell me just how useful are locking lug nuts. I often wondered. Now I know.

I've never known anyone around my area to have their rims stolen off a routine parked car. It happens, but it's not common in most areas.

(It's more likely to happen with abandoned vehicles in more remote areas being stripped for parts or scrap. Then there's the stereotypical "parked your car in the ghetto and came back an hour later to find it up on blocks with no wheels, no engine, and no muffler".)

But I've known quite a few people who lost or misplaced their locking lug nut keys and then needed to get their wheels off, either due to a flat or just routine maintenance.

Unless you have overly fancy custom rims and live in a rough area, they're more likely to be a hassle than a help.

A dealership close to where we are had the tires and wheels taken off 30 cars and trucks. The tires/wheels were put into a large trailer and pulled by a pickup. When we bought our Jeep in Rapid City this last July we looked at he Jeeps during the weekend before when we came into to dealership the salesman said we saw you on the lot during the weekend on their security camera, he went on to say they lost the tires/wheels off of two Rubicons later in the night. So it does happen when the cost of tires and wheels are $1000 and up wheel locks might stop the quick grab.

December 30, 2018, 02:09 PM

Black92LX

May sound silly but did you check with the jack and lug wrench??
We bought our Sienna and I needed to pull a wheel. Called the dealer and they said check there. Sure enough the key was there in a little pouch.

December 30, 2018, 02:32 PM

mrvmax

If they are factory the dealership has them. I paid $35 for one for my Lexus.

December 30, 2018, 02:55 PM

Southflorida-law

quote:
Originally posted by comet24:
Find a 12 point socket that will almost fit over the locks. Take a hammer and beat it on. Put a ratchet on the socket and remove the lock.

I would find the right size socket and go buy a cheap one because it will likly damage the socket.

Then buy a new set of locks and use this method to remove the locks on the other tires and replace them.

This.

This was how I got every lock off when I worked in/owned a tire store.

December 30, 2018, 03:22 PM

urbanwarrior238

quote:
Originally posted by sigcrazy7:
Go to the nearest tire shop like Les Schwab or Big O. They will have the tool you need. I recently bought a security key for my Tahoe from Big O for $10. They can replace your lugs nuts with a non-locking style if you want to go that route. They may also sell the keys at O'Reillys or Autozone.

This. Tire shops have the 'keys' there are not that many of them.

December 30, 2018, 06:13 PM

comet24

quote:
Originally posted by Scurvy:
quote:
Originally posted by comet24:
Find a 12 point socket that will almost fit over the locks. Take a hammer and beat it on. Put a ratchet on the socket and remove the lock.

I would find the right size socket and go buy a cheap one because it will likly damage the socket.

Then buy a new set of locks and use this method to remove the locks on the other tires and replace them.

Ding ding ding.

This is the easiest way and it also how the 'pros' do it when they steal rims. It takes no time at all and if you have rims people want to steal

I was shocked at how easy it was to do when I lost my key. Took longer to get the tools out then remove the lock.

December 30, 2018, 06:25 PM

Sunset_Va

I had locking lug nuts on an old restored Chevy pickup with American mag wheels. I was frequently alternating between those wheels and the original rallye type wheels, after so many changes, the key slots were getting wallowed out.

After seeing hiw hard it was to take them off after getting worn, I took them off. Figured one night, I would hAve a flat tire, God knows where, and raining, and wouldn't be able to change it.

December 31, 2018, 10:08 AM

cndrdk

Take it to the Toyota dealer and have tires rotated and leave the locking lug off. Mechanics have the right one, (maybe a master). When my Toyota was new and they rotated tires, I told them key was in the trunk. They said they didn't need it as there are only so many combinations and mechanics had them all.

December 31, 2018, 10:27 AM

HRK

look in the vehicle paperwork, you should have a locking key card with the code and a contact number, they will mail you a replacement for your vehicle.

either that or contact a dealer, rotating the tires isn't a dire emergency as a flat so you have time.

I've had wire wheels taken off a vehicle when parked in a parking lot at night, wasn't a bad area, but like most cities, bad people don't stay home to rob their neighbors.

December 31, 2018, 11:29 AM

P210

quote:
Originally posted by cndrdk:
Take it to the Toyota dealer and have tires rotated and leave the locking lug off. Mechanics have the right one, (maybe a master). When my Toyota was new and they rotated tires, I told them key was in the trunk. They said they didn't need it as there are only so many combinations and mechanics had them all.

I’m pretty sure they got them all by not putting them back in customer’s vehicles.