Wheel Lock Key Missing!!! Help please!

[jonesb930]

So I had today off and figured I would mount the new wheels I just received. The back was not a problem. The front however still had a wheel lock on it and I do not have the key! It is not your typical lock either. It is a lock from a Company called RND Ltd. in Mountain View, CA. I have the card that came with the locks. Here is the info from the card. ALLOY WHEEL LOCK SET FIVE PIN STYLE KEY: 1S Does anyone have these? They look like the base of a lug nut (the ball part) with five holes in them. The key had 5 steel pins that would seat into the holes and allow them to be removed. I believe I purchased them from Performance products about 15 or more years ago. Bill

[Wilywilly]

A punch, a chisel, needle nose pliers, small hammer and about 30 seconds of your time and they can be removed. You will need a new lugnut though.

[john walker's workshop]

a 3/4" deep hole saw on your drill motor. does not damage the wheel unless you keep drilling after the piece pops loose. never had any luck with the punch method. if they were that easy, all the thieves would have punches.

[bossladys 911]

I have also been in this situation with customer and my own vehicles. I have found a 1/2 drive impact socket that is slightly small can be driven on and will remove the nut. Usually means less chance of damage to the wheel than some other methods.

Good Luck ,and a good Veterans Day to you

[kslizzy]

You can try a Bolt-Out, craftsman sells them. Hammer the tool on to the bolt and use an impact to get it off. Don't bother trying to turn it off with a hand ratchet, you need the impact. Or an air hammer with chisle tip. I just got mine off this way. They were a slightly different design though.

Good Luck.

[john walker's workshop]

they are not bolts that you can hammer anything over. picture just the bottom curved part of an alloy lug nut. horrible design. even if you have the tool, the tool bends or breaks, unless you don't torque it much, then what good is that, safety-wise?

[magnuskgc]

Plasma cutter! Just kidding hope it doesn't come to that

[jonesb930]

No luck with the punch. The piece is aluminum and it just deforms it. I am trying to save the wheels to put up here for sale. I have determined that the holes are 1/8th inch. I am going to try to get a few dowel pins and use one of those "Universal" sockets with all of the pins inside. I tried it for size with some steel rod and I think it may work. The steel rod just bent over though. If this fails I may try Johns idea and pick up a 3/4" hole saw. As John said "poor design". The last time I used the tool it was missing a few pins already.

[ossiblue]

JW is absolutely correct--the nut is flush with the wheel and there is nothing to grip onto. His suggestion of the 3/4" hole saw is probably the best. I have the same type lock on my 912, and as John mentioned, the key broke while trying to remove the wheels. Poor design and totally useless once the key breaks.

[Rich Lambert]

I had this happen and ended up going to the Porsche dealer. They had a jig for drilling off locking lug nuts. Worked like a charm and no wheel damage.

A tip...do not go to a tire/wheel place for this, no matter what they tell you.

[Peter Zimmermann]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

a 3/4" deep hole saw on your drill motor. does not damage the wheel unless you keep drilling after the piece pops loose. never had any luck with the punch method. if they were that easy, all the thieves would have punches.

The best way!

[jonesb930]

My dowel pin idea did not work :-(
I picked up a 3/4" hole saw and will give that a try tonight after my little pit monkeys go to bed.

[JMatta]

Wheels locks are such a pain in the a**. Nobody steals wheels anymore, they just take the whole car.

[drcoastline]

I had to do this myself. I went to Pep Boys and the mechanic told me what to do.

Put a pointed chisel bit into your air hammer. Place the point in the groove of the lock. Keep the chisel straight no need to twist or turn. Keep hard pressure so the chisel doesn't pop out and hit your rim. Pull the trigger it will start to spin the lock and loosen in a few seconds.

It works. I had to do all five on my SUV when we lost the lock. All five were off in a matter of minutes. FYI- I didn't buy another set of locks.

Good luck.

[jonesb930]

I was able to get some time tonight to try Johns suggestion. The ring came free and i stopped drilling. There was a very small portion left however. Also the threads were still on the stud. This prevented it from being removed. I tried several ways of getting the rim off without further drilling but had no luck. I ended up having to drill completely through the rim. Not a big loss. They were poorly fitting 16" BBS Look alike 1 piece rims. The new rims are now on one side of the car and they look great. The fitment is perfect now! They really transform the car.

John Walker sir, I owe you a Cold beer if you ever get here to sunny South Florida my good man!


Bill

[john walker's workshop]

i ground down a small chisel to get the thin shell off the stud.

[steve911T]

I had the same problem on an 89 Carrera and the local Porsche dealer in Burtonsville, MD (Tischer) removed 4 of the locks at no charge. I could not beat that deal. Good luck.

[Woodyhfd]

You may want to try one of these:

Gator Grip Universal Socket