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Author Topic: Locking wheel nut key  (Read 1706 times)

Offline bobby_fodge

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Locking wheel nut key
« on: November 22, 2019, 05:12:24 pm »
Hi, I've lost my splined locking wheel nut key. Does anyone know how many splines are on them?

I'm going to Buy a used one from.ebay.

Offline pudding

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Re: Locking wheel nut key
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2019, 05:25:26 pm »
I don't think they are generic lockers.

You'd be better off upgrading to the latest ones - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264305460614


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Offline Octoparrot

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Re: Locking wheel nut key
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2019, 05:30:23 pm »
They're different numbers of splines with factory locking wheel nuts, best count them on the bolt itself.

Offline titchy

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Re: Locking wheel nut key
« Reply #3 on: November 22, 2019, 06:17:59 pm »
I got a set on e bay  £10 two days later found the original typical

Offline bobby_fodge

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Re: Locking wheel nut key
« Reply #4 on: November 22, 2019, 09:28:53 pm »
I don't think they are generic lockers.

You'd be better off upgrading to the latest ones - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264305460614

I've got those to fit, just need to remove the ones currently fitted.

Offline LC5F

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Re: Locking wheel nut key
« Reply #5 on: November 22, 2019, 10:39:52 pm »
I don't think they are generic lockers.

You'd be better off upgrading to the latest ones - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264305460614

I've got those to fit, just need to remove the ones currently fitted.

That type came on my Mk4 - they are notorious for stripping, and mine did!
-I would not have them on another car.

I now have a collection of removal tools that helped me  get 2 out myself, even tried the RAC -the man made a valiant go of it, but gave up. Getting desperate I tried a tyre chain and another one removed. For the last one it took a Hungarian ex-special services guy with proper snap-on remover + a huge impact gun to get the last one off, not bad work £25 pounds for less than 5 minutes! But it did put an end to a stressful fortnight.

Offline pudding

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Re: Locking wheel nut key
« Reply #6 on: November 30, 2019, 06:03:13 pm »
Conversely, I stripped the MK5 ones very easily.  The Sport Rader/Mcgard type I've never had a problem with over 20 years of using them. It's the f'ckwit gorillas who torque them up with air guns that cause problems with that design of locking bolt.


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Offline LC5F

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Re: Locking wheel nut key
« Reply #7 on: November 30, 2019, 08:06:26 pm »
It's the f'ckwit gorillas who torque them up with air guns that cause problems with that design of locking bolt.

Definitely - I once had that on the Mk4, the bolts were so tight I was bouncing on 2ft breaker with scaff pole trying to undo wheel bolts. They were so tight I decided the safest option was to replace the drive flanges - well I felt it was a good enough excuse to rebuild the hubs and suspension...

The issue is not that many owners can look after these bolts properly, I suppose you could swap the locking bolt out before visiting a garage, but who has time for that?
They are very likely to fall into the hands of gorilla's - this just leads to lots of people having trouble with them.

Offline muff1991

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Re: Locking wheel nut key
« Reply #8 on: November 30, 2019, 08:29:04 pm »
It's the f'ckwit gorillas who torque them up with air guns that cause problems with that design of locking bolt.

Definitely - I once had that on the Mk4, the bolts were so tight I was bouncing on 2ft breaker with scaff pole trying to undo wheel bolts. They were so tight I decided the safest option was to replace the drive flanges - well I felt it was a good enough excuse to rebuild the hubs and suspension...

The issue is not that many owners can look after these bolts properly, I suppose you could swap the locking bolt out before visiting a garage, but who has time for that?
They are very likely to fall into the hands of gorilla's - this just leads to lots of people having trouble with them.
I too had a similar issue with mk4 wheel bolts, my cousin was getting some alloys off a scrap motor, he couldn’t undo the bolts with the brace so I said I’ll pop round with the impact... well I’ll be damned, my 930nm nut busting impact shook every bone from my hand to my skull. Ended up doing the same with a large breaker and my last resort 5ft scaffold pole.. nothing stopping that combo! But did take some real effort! As if 120nm bolts could cause such grief ey! (Apologies not thread related, but previous post reminded me of my scenario lol)


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Offline pudding

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Re: Locking wheel nut key
« Reply #9 on: December 06, 2019, 05:38:53 pm »
I'm sure it mentioned somewhere in the McGard instructions years ago not to use air guns, but hey ho.  Common sense prevails.  Does the wiggly pattern of the McGard bolt head look as sturdy as a plain wheel bolt? Erm, nope!

I've always torqued them up to the OEM 100nm and never had a problem  :drinking:

Speaking of rattle guns, has anyone got the beast Milwaukee or the big old XR Dewalt? I think these bad boys have over 1000lbft of nut busting torque?  Are they any good? I wish my missus would bust my nuts with 1000lbft of force  :grin:


2007 ED30 | 2009 TDI 140 | 2016 BMW 330D