i broke off my wheel lock key in my wheel lock!

[tbomb]

so im checking my lugs this afternoon to make sure that theyre not coming loose (i do this probably around every oil change, since my tires are so wide), and today, after i checked 2 of them, i broke the wheel lock key off in the wheel lock on the 3rd one. i applied pressure to the lug wrench, and that was it, heh. the special "pattern" on the key twisted right off of the socket and is now stuck in the wheel lock. i dont have any tools at my apartment, but im reasonably sure that when i go home next weekend, i can get the material out of the wheel lock with a pair of needlenose pliers. i plan on calling mcgard tomorrow to order a new key, but im hoping that they dont say, "ok, the total for your new wheel lock key comes to $50.00 plus shipping, and you should have it in 4-6 weeks", heh.

anyone ever deal with this before?

 

[jssong]

that sucks, but if u can pull the broken one out, do u not haven another key ?

 

[tbomb]

nope, dont have another key - the locks only come with one, and they give you the "code" for it, so if you need to replace a key or a wheel lock, you can call them with the code and theyll hook you up. actually, now that i think of it, i should probably order an extra wheel lock, just in case...who knows, maybe i wont be able to salvage the lock with the broken off material in it. this could turn out to be my inaugural project for my new dremel

 

[RangerX]

tbomb, you sure have had alot of bad luck lately!

 

[dogfriend]

Originally posted by tbomb
this could turn out to be my inaugural project for my new dremel

Those fiberglass cutting wheels will go through almost anything

 

[Robb]

If it does turn out to be a good chunk of change to get a new key, I would get a new set of lock lugs (with key) from someplace like PepBoys. I think a new complete set is like $20. And if you can't get the remaining piece of the key out, I know most tire places have special tools for removing the lug for just this type of situation.

Good luck!

Robb

 

[SaleenEXP]

Originally posted by RangerX
tbomb, you sure have had alot of bad luck lately!

I was about to say the same thing, sorry to hear that tbomb. Actually thats the 1st time I've heard of a the lock key breaking off.

I agree with morrisey0, you might as well get a completley new lock set for around $20, but you would still need a new key to get the old locks off

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

I bought a set of key nuts from Wally World for $10. Granted, it's for trailers but they work very well. Plus, appearance doesn't really matter anyway since the hubcap is covering all the nuts. I'll be home in a couple of weeks so I'll snap some pics and remember to post on here what the nuts look like.

 

[jimbo74]

you can get it off with a lock removal kit or an air hammer/chisel

 

[VairKing]

Yes, they make a tool for removing such locks, It has reverse thread cutting teeth in it, and is sized to about the same size as your lug nut diameter, so when you put the socket on the lock, and use an impact, the teeth dig into the lock, and back it off the lug. These are pretty expensive to buy, and you would probably be better off taking it to a tire place and having them remove it with their tool. That is if you cant get the lock off yourself. Good Luck man.

 

[addkev]

Yes, they make a tool for removing such locks, It has reverse thread cutting teeth in it, and is sized to about the same size as your lug nut diameter, so when you put the socket on the lock, and use an impact, the teeth dig into the lock, and back it off the lug

If you go to a garage that offers road side assistance, they will have one, they are common for tow trucks to have them for the old lady that doesn't even know she has wheel locks. What brand of wheel locks do you have? I have Gorilla locks, and I just ordered a new key for $8 including shipping. They said I would have it in 3-5 days.

Good Luck.

 

[tbomb]

Originally posted by RangerX
tbomb, you sure have had alot of bad luck lately!

no sh*t. you guys dont even know the half of it: my dentist cant get my 2 new fillings to sit right, so ive had toothaches, headaches, sensitivity to hot and cold, and just plain ol' pain in my mouth for the last week, and i cant get back to see him till monday morning. i also found out 2 weeks ago that i need arthroscopic surgery on my wrist, due to a ganglion that formed when i sprained the wrist this past summer. i tell ya, when it rains, it pours, heh.

well, this morning i discovered one of the perks of working on a jobsite all day: theres just about any tool in the world that you coulud possibly need, though i only needed a pair of needle nose pliers and a piece of rebar tie-wire to poke the material out from the lock i also called mcgard, and a new key costs $10, and i also ordered a new lock, just for the hell of it (i figured it cant hurt to keep an extra around), which was another $7.50. so with priority shipping, it came out to, like, $21 and change. the biggest PITA about the whole thing was finding that little card they give you with the locks, when you buy em that has the special code on it that tells you which pattern you need on your key.