Lock lug key broke. WTF?

DeepSouthTitan · 11-29-2009, 06:11 AM

So I am rotating my tires the other day and I get to the last wheel to tighten it and the lock lug key breaks. These are the factory installed lock lugs so it is only one lug per tire. Also the way the key broke is the raised part inside the key snapped off in the recessed part of the lug so a new key would not take that particular lock lug off. A new key will remove the other three. Any ideas or has this happened to anyone else? Will the dealership sell just another key?

jguiseppi · 11-29-2009, 06:18 AM

I'd presume that if you take your time and use a punch or something similar working the edge of the broken part inside your lug, that you'd eventually be able to get it out. Worse to worse you could probably try some heavy vice grips being careful to not bugger up your wheel.

Try using a little PB Blaster first just to get some lubricant between the broken piece and the lug that might help, not sure.

**4mula1fan** · 11-29-2009, 06:25 AM

You could try driving an impact socket over the lug and remove it. Then replace with regular lugs.

**layer1** · 11-29-2009, 07:35 AM

You over tightening it? Should be putting no more than 100pnd of torque max on each lug.

titanss · 11-29-2009, 09:01 AM

This happened to me on my 90 Chevy, on the side of the road, in the rain, 40* at 4:30am on my way to work. The tire was shreaded, it had to be changed, no limping on the shoulder to get back home. I was lucky and there was enought tooth left on the key to break the lug loose. Once i got to a tire shop for a new tire they used a lock lug socket to remove all four and i through them as far as i could into the woods.

Locking lug nut removal socket - Buy from buySAFE bonded merchants

If i ever get another set of locks it will be these: http://www.gorilla-auto.com/the.system the key fits over the lug instead of inside it.

**AZPRO4X** · 11-29-2009, 09:52 AM

I would get it off and throw them away ! That would P$ss me off.........

jguiseppi · 11-29-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by titanss

Locking lug nut removal socket - Buy from buySAFE bonded merchants

Good info to know, kind of also makes it useless to have the locking lugs though. I'm sure all of the thiefs would have these anyway along with a compressor and air gun.

I broke my socket trying to get mine off once at home. I had them taken off the next time I had the tires rotated....

If they want your wheels bad enough, unfortunately someone will know how to get them.

DeepSouthTitan · 11-29-2009, 11:30 AM

Thanks for the ideas and I am going to bring a small punch home from work today and give it a shot. I plan on relocating these POS's to the bottom of my pond when I get them off. Now I need to locate another key and four new lug nuts. Thanks again.

titanss · 11-29-2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeepSouthTitan

Thanks for the ideas and I am going to bring a small punch home from work today and give it a shot. I plan on relocating these POS's to the bottom of my pond when I get them off. Now I need to locate another key and four new lug nuts. Thanks again.

Any tire shop in the area will get them off for a few bucks, I know Malaner Tire in Tickfaw can do it, they are the ones that took mine off. Check out the Gorilla Locks link in the above post. Check the parts houses in our area for them, i think Advance has then in stock, a lot cheaper than the dealer.

Advanced in Hammond has these in stock:Advance Auto Parts