After Gig Surprise

[Brian Henry]

After a recent gig I had a surprise when trying to remove a wheel off the car. Four lug nuts came of easily. Then the fifth one. What is this? What tool would I use to remove it! Anyone’s recognize it?

[Bill Terry]

It looks like a locking lug nut, sometimes provided with custom wheels, although it's a little different than the ones I've seen before. A car equipped with these requires an adapter that goes into the standard lug nut wrench that will fit this shape. It's normally in the glove box or spare tire compartment somewhere.

As a theft deterrent I think they're of questionable value, and if you don't have the adapter it's a real PIA. I've bought two vehicles with these, and the first thing I did was replace them with the stock nuts. I figure if somebody wants your wheels that badly, they'll get them anyway.

[Brian Henry]

Thank you Bill, that makes sense. I used a 14 metric and smashed it on to the round part.

Slowly it Came off! I don’t want to do that to the other three. It’s a weird pattern and no one I know recognizes it and were to find an adapter.

[Rick Barnhart]

My first thought would be to take it to a reputable tire shop. They probably have a toolbox drawer full of different keys, or another way to remove the other three. I really doubt that you'll be able to find a match for the key pattern to replace it.

[Brian Henry]

Thank you Rick, I will do that!

[Don R Brown]

Bill Terry's explanation is exactly right. That's what it is.

It's debatable on their effectiveness. A pro will find a way to get around them easily. As for some spur-of-the-moment thief, it might convince them to go elsewhere.

[Jack Hanson]

As my daddy always said, the only one your locks are gonna stop is the preacher.

[Tony Prior]

Well, someone has to ask ? Who put that on ? Was it a used car you purchased or maybe a new car ? Because that is definitely a LOCKING LUG NUT which came with the adapter, which should be in the car, somewhere ! ( or not)

I have these on trailer wheels where the trailer is parked for multiple days at trade shows. They do not prevent someone from stealing the wheels but they sure make it a task that probably isn't worth it

[Allen Hutchison]

My near new VW Amarok came fitted with locking nuts & the adapter is in the vehicles tool kit.
They don't stop anyone stealing the wheels, 'cause they just take the whole car!

[Larry Dering]

They make a special socket set we used as mechanics for removing the Unknown lug nut. It ruins the nut as it has left hand threads to cut into unknown locking nut and remove. Not a cheap tool! We always hated those locking nuts because people loose or misplace the original key tool. Lol.

[Greg Cutshaw]

These and many similar tools are available for removing locking lug nuts:

https://www.amazon.com/HANSON-Lugnut-Sp ... ut+remover


ebay has individual sized locking lug nut removal tools for around $6 each.

"Bought these to get the wheel locks off a car I bought that came without a wheel lock key. The way they worked best for me was to get a big hammer, and pound directly on the Irwin socket driving it on to the lock. Give it a good couple of whacks with a good heavy hammer, then put on the extension and back the lock off. I used an electric impact and starting it as I have stated above, it worked great." (reviewer)

My last 5 vehicles all have had locking lug nuts. These will not stop even the most primitive of thieves but they seem to be a great marketing tool for selling fancy cars and wheels.

[Michael Maddex]

As my daddy always said, the only one your locks are gonna stop is the preacher.

Like it! My daddy used to say: 'Locks keep honest men that way'.

HAGD.