Locking Wheelnuts.

[bmcecosse]

When the key (made of very weak material) for my Meriva lock bolts failed - I had to buy a new one at huge expense from Vauxhall. The lock bolts have 'spinning' outers - so hammering on a socket was not a possible solution. When the new key arrived I carefully removed all the locking bolts - and fitted the standard bolts thoughtfully supplied with the spare wheel. The lock bolts and key are now safely stored in my garage! If this had happened at the roadside -I would have been stranded. I asked at local garage if they had a 'master' set of keys in long lasting steel for dealing with the problem on customer cars - answer, NO. They would either wait for a new key - or drill the bolt head off.

[PSL184]

You are assuming the average numpty who goes out steeling wheels knows that Moggie wheels don't fit much else

[paulhumphries]

You are assuming the average numpty who goes out steeling wheels knows that Moggie wheels don't fit much else

I bet most alloys are stolen for their scrap value rather than to be used as wheels

Paul Humphries

[rayofleamington]

It's not just theives that can be numpty's!

A friend of mine needed new tyres on his Astra. The tyre place couldn't do the last one because the locking wheel nut was very seized. I told him to hang on a few days as I would sort it for him...

Instead of doing that he went to a different tyre place and they used a scaffold pole to break the key into pieces trying to undo the seized nut I don't blame the garage - they were just following the dumb request from the owner.


Needless to say I was 'oh so happy' to be given the car again to remove 3 extra locking nuts with no key!!! After doing those, I could then start butchering of the seized one (It needed a scaffold pole and a LOT of heat)

I've removed locking wheel nuts with no key on many occassions - all for legitimate reasons, and I find it frustrating but I know that without locking nuts alloys do get stolen.

I've had to explain to a major vehicle manufacturer that their expensive prototype car was found on bricks over Christmas. (The guy who was using the car got some steels from the nearest scrapyard so he could still use the car).

As for links to tools etc.. for removing locking wheel nuts - I've been asked to remove them. Personally I'd have left the link as they have legitimate uses, but do understand that others don't like to advertise things that help theives.

[Mogwai]

I found these on ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Barri-Nuts-Minor- ... dZViewItem

[bmcecosse]

Cheap enough at the moment! Need to check the taper is correct for the wheels.