Wheel lock key missing-help!!!

[zog]

I decided to check the brakes and put new shock on my 86 coupe...to my surprise, the wheels have factory locking lugs but there is no key in the car anywhere....

A local Chevy dealer said to heat them with a torch and drive them off...ouch?!?

Any ideas????

 

[jeepie]

Did you look in the compartments behind the seats ? I thought that tire places had a tool to remove them. I don't think I would heat them with a torch.

 

[The Car Whisperer]

I found the key for mine attached to the jack handle that is stored in the rear caompartment behind the passenger seat. The key looks like a socket and was clipped to the jack handle with a small metal spring clip. I have a coupe, the convertable may have it located somewhere else. I also found the key code on a label that was included with the documentation that came with my Vette. I was able to purchase a spare from the OEM manufacturer of the locks

 

[Eagle85C4]

Go to any dealer, they have a master set of keys for the lugs, which by the way are made by McGard, they will find the right one, then call McGard and they will send you one for about 10.00...
My 85 was the same way and I got all the same crazy answers as above on how to fix it.
I called McGard and they told me which dealer close by to go to that had a master set. Took azll of 2 minutes to find the right one and get it orderd. I also had the dealer remove the locks while I was there and replace them with stock lugs until the new key arrived.

 

[rrubel]

So *THAT'S* what the metal clip on the lug wrench is for!

Thanks!
[RICHR]

 

[The Car Whisperer]

This is the part number I found on the unopened package of locks that came with my Vette when I got it 10 years ago:

Wheel Locking Kit GM P/N 10034341

Locks were manufactured by:

Gorilla Automotive Products
A Division of AMCOR INDUSTRIES, INC.
2141 East 51st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90058
(213) 585-2852
FAX (213) 587-0119

Ther may have been other manufactureres for GM as I see from the reply from Eagle85C4

 

[Eagle85C4]

Regardless of who may or may not have made the locks...the dealer should have a Master .....

 

[The Car Whisperer]

I agree, I would definitely try the dealer for a master key, if the lug locks are OEM then they should have the key. I bet any good wheel shop would also have the key to fit. Definitely would not take the "TORCH" route for removal. You would have serious damage to at least the wheel finish if not the wheels also. There's always a better way and this forum will always leed to many excellent suggestions to fix almost anything Corvette related!

 

[bradfordsvettes]

if all else fails take a socket you do not care about and wack it on it will come off but a dealer should have a master kit steve

 

[zog]

Thanks for all the help

I checked with 8 Chevy ealers and no one has any master keys. I did find a Pontiac dealer that has a master set for Firebirds and Camaros and he thinks they might fit the Vettes.....he wants $12 per wheel to take off the locking lugs...ouch

I think I might try the "beat on the old socket" trick...thanks

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

he wants $12 per wheel to take off the locking lugs...ouch

Have a beer with one of the mechanics form the Pontiac dealer and offer him $10. bucks to bring the sucker home in his pocket one night. I have never had a mechanic working for me who was ashamed to ¨Borrow¨ a wrench from the tool box.

If it is impossible to find the key there are lots of ways to get it off with out the torch or hammer approach. Before I put fire to my wheels I would either drill it out and replace the stud or go hi-tech and take a print of it with wax, mold a plaster duplicate and build a socket to fit.

Good luck

 

[c4cruiser]

Most big tire store chains will have a way to remove the lock lug. Discount Tire, Les Schwab, Firestone, Goodyear and maybe even Sears should be able to do it.

Usually they just hammer on an old socket and use an impact wrench.

Not sure where the factory lug wrench is stored on earlier roadsters, but on my 92 it sits in a clip on the floor behind the driver's seat. You might check there to see if the lock is there.

 

[vettepilot]

Have you searched all inside your car for that elusive lock socket?
Maybe it rolled under one of the seats.
I would avoid having the guy who said "use a torch" work on the car if you ever need a good Vette mechanic.... OUCH

vettepilot

 

[tkwilliams]

drive a socket half way onto the lug and take it off if you have to put the socket in a vise and drive the lug out and go to the next one , I did mine in about 5 minutes. throw them things away!!

 

[muddywaters]

Lugs

Definitly no torch ! How about a friend or somwone else with a vette around the same year as yours, their's might work, it's worth a shot .

 

[Interceptor430]

Yep, drive a socket on there to remove it. Also, Sears now sells a set of sockets for this type of work...5 minutes work, and you're done.

 

[*89x2*]

if all else fails take a socket you do not care about and wack it on it will come off but a dealer should have a master kit steve

Exactly A friend of mine had this problem w/ his Vette - I took either a 21 or 22 mm socket and a hammer, tapped it over the lock lug and then broke it free. Each wheel took roughly 2 or 3 minutes to do this way - Car was up on jackstands for brakes so taking it to a shop was not an option
Hope this helps

 

[jsinga]

If you want to keep the locks see if you can get togther with the local club and find someone with a key that fits.
I seem to rememeber somewhere in my car in some of the owners manual or something it tells the code for the key.
I would go the socket route an pitch them in the trash.
I have all mine in the bottom of a drawer in the garage when I replace the 15 yr old lug nuts.
Ever taken a look at the threads in your lugs? Mine looked like the threads were about worn out.

JS

 

[zog]

Finally got them off

You folks were correct. I found that a 13/16 deep socket worked for the front two...jsut bang it on and off they come...

The rear was tougher because the locks had been a little stripped. I used a junk 3/4 deep socket made in tiwan. With the cheap soft metal, it was fairly easy to drive it over the locks on the rear, allowing it to cut teeth around the lock. Twisted it right off with a ratchet, and now I am ready to do the brakes....thanks again for the help.

 

[drcorvette]

Those Lock Nuts

Actually those lock nuts are not that strong.
I believe an impact wrench is all you need to snap them off.

If you cannot find the key then just get a mechanic to snap them off and buy new ones.

But .... NO TORCH!!!!

:nono