Factory Lug nut Key? Need to pull a tire.

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

anyone have any suggestions.?

I have a 996 C4S with a flat rear tire.

One lug nut is a locking key. I'm guessing it's factory? did they come with them?

I don't have the key to remove the tire.

Called the dealer and said they "need" the car in their shop to dig into their "Master Key set"

Don't really want to tow/flatbed the car to the dealership, Les Schwab and Discount tire is no luck.

options?

id10t · 09-26-2023, 10:51 AM

Pick it?

Steve Carlton · 09-26-2023, 11:06 AM

Did you have a wheel off the car before? Sounds like no.

I’d do a thorough search. If you don’t want to tow it to a dealer, you’re looking at cutting and drilling I would expect. The problem will remain for the other wheels, of course.

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

Yep, I know the pain.

My wife's Macan had a nail in a tire, so I put it on my scissor lift to pull the wheel off, and take it to a local tire shop. They dismount the tire, and patch the inside foor a proper fix. I took off two lugs, and then came to the factory lock that requires a special adapter. I looked in the owner's manual and it showed where the key is located. I found an empty hole.

I called the dealer, and I had to put the car on the ground, and drive over to them for them to bring out a master kit of 25 locks and try them one at a time. Of course there was one key missing. I said, I know my luck, it is the missing one. Sure enough, that was the one. They went back to the service bays and brought me one from some mechanics tool set. It was obviously used, and they charged me $45 for it. It may well be the one that was removed from our car when the Macan was in for service. I don't know if the mechanic honestly forgot, or if he just kept it.

Either way, we would have been screwed if away from home with a flat and trying to use the spare.

I got the flat fixed, and now when the Macan goes in for any service work, we pull that key out first. I also learned that the lug nuts are torqued to 135 pound feet! The factory wrench is pretty short. I did not try it, I used my own tools. I bough long wrench, and socket to remove the lugs with a lot less effort and those are in the car at all times. My air impact zipped the old lugs off with ease, but they were on there tight.

Bill Douglas · 09-26-2023, 11:28 AM

I'd send them a photo first. It may not be a factory locking nut.

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

this is what I'm looking at.........

Steve Carlton · 09-26-2023, 11:48 AM

Can you plug the tire and drive it to a dealer?

masraum · 09-26-2023, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

this is what I'm looking at.........

Looks like the same style from this thread, so possibly factory. It's funny how much they changed over the years. My '88 used an actual key, IIRC. My '08 boxster S has a completely different style, and then the 996 has this other style.

https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/1255596-factory-locking-wheel-bolt-question.html

porsche tech · 09-26-2023, 12:14 PM

That’s a factory lock. Like the man said…air it up, plug it and drive it over there so they can test fit their master set.

masraum · 09-26-2023, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche tech

That’s a factory lock. Like the man said…air it up, plug it and drive it over there so they can test fit their master set.

Yep. Unless you can and want to figure out the code for it and order one by correct code. I'd buy a replacement (non-locking) while you're there.

id10t · 09-26-2023, 12:34 PM

Ah... not a lock. A funky socket

Steve Carlton · 09-26-2023, 12:51 PM

Check Harbor Freight.

masraum · 09-26-2023, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

Check Harbor Freight.

For a (semi) unique Porsche OEM lock socket/key?

Steve Carlton · 09-26-2023, 01:05 PM

For a funky socket that might fit. Joke.

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

Find a 12 point socket just a hair smaller and hammer it on. Then crank it loose.

sc_rufctr · 09-26-2023, 01:14 PM

Another option is pressing some putty (Plasticine or similar) onto the head so you get an impression of the notches & then take that to the dealership. If you're careful you should be able to match it with a new keyed socket. They'll probably ask you for proof of ownership before supplying you a key.

Last ditch no other option... These work well but you may not have enough room around the bolt head.

Steve Carlton · 09-26-2023, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigster59

Find a 12 point socket just a hair smaller and hammer it on. Then crank it loose.

Smacking the locking lug nut first sounds like a good idea. This guy is funny- out of breath, the shakiest camera work ever, and he hits his hand with the hammer.

sc_rufctr · 09-26-2023, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

this is what I'm looking at.........

Just a thought... Could you send this photo to the dealership via email so they can match up a key socket?

Or could they lend you the set of sockets for the afternoon?

There's no harm in asking.

sc_rufctr · 09-26-2023, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

this is what I'm looking at.........

Meanwhile I mirrored your image... They should be able to place a socket next to this photo and match it up easy peasy.

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

THANKS all for your input.

Tire will not hold air...........

I tried the "I took a photo and want to send to the dealer" approach and they said "we need the car"

I'm thinking a flat bed tow is the only way out of my mess..............and then there's the $2K in tires to replace...........sigh.