I have lost my wheel lock key. I do not know what brand the locks are. How do I get them off? Would knowing the brand help? here are pics...

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jtjoet...joet/my_photos

Thanks.

 

Impact socket pounded onto the nut; or a speciality lug-nut removal socket; but impact ones work well.

 

What size impact socket, does it need to be oversized? Will it ruin the socket, will I need one socket for each lug nut?

 

Won't ruin the socket, but it will destroy the nut.

Just get one that fits.. I can't tell ya what size, I just grabbed one outta my set that was close, and took the 5# sledge and pounded it on they torqued it off.

Do NOT do with with normal sockets, it MUST be an impact socket.

 

I had this same problem about 5 years ago. I ended up getting the locking lug socket from another f-body. (Got mine from a junkyard). Basically what I discovered is that the two locking lug patterns only differed by one "tooth". After I test fit the locking lug socket over the lugnut by changing positions to see which tooth didn't match the pattern, I took a dremel and one of those little sanding drums and just ground the mismatched tooth out. After about 5 minutes of grinding it fit like a charm.

 

So these locks come stock from GM?

 

these versions yes...

but finding keys is a bear, and it's easier to just remove this set and buy a new kit.

 

there are impact sockets meant for rounded nuts. The dig into the metal and turn it. Go to a shop and someone there will have the sockets.

 

Get a craftsman bolt out kit. They work wonders.

 

they actually make a wheel lock remover, the only downfall it destroy the wheel lock so u have to get new wheel locks or lug nuts

 

That's fine, the only purpose wheel locks serve is to inconvenience you when you need to take a wheel off. If anybody really is desperate enough to steal my salad shooter wheels so be it. The thing that upsets me is I just bought new lug nuts to replace the wheel locks last week and I somehow misplaced the key since then. Oh well, time to buy this kit.

 

Pepboys sells a socket to remove the lug nut locker.

 

Before you go through all this trouble. Those look like factory locks. Last I checked, GM only osed like 12-15 different locks. You dealer should sell replacement keys and have them in stock. Just tell them you need to try them all to find the right one.

 

That is diffentlya gm wheel locks. I had to buy another pay of gm wheel lock cause I stripped mine. And now I have two craced wheel locks that I need to remove. I made a mistake of over tightening the wheel locks and they cracked.

 

I've used a deep well 12-point regular cheap socket, hammered it onto the keyed lugnut w/ a 22oz hammer, turned it off w/ a socket wrench, hammered the lug nut out of the socket w/ a screw driver and repeat. It's not rocket science.