Lost '87 factory wheel lock key

[zone5]

I just bought a car with Porsche factory wheel locks. The wheel lock key was misplaced by the previous owner. Does anyone have any suggestions on a nondestructive way to get'em off. Locksmith? Trip over to the County Jail?

[Arne2]

There are methods to remove, but how to proceed depends on which style lock you have. Can you post a picture?

[zone5]

Thanks Arne. Haven't attempted a picture post on Pelican before. Will take picture and try this evening.

[McLovin]

If it's this type, these are super easy to remove. They are a very low security lock system.

If you want to try to save them (not sure why if you don't have the key), Google "rake pick lock." These are pretty easy locks to pick.

The faster and easier way is to simply drill the centers out of them. The round outer piece will pull right off, and underneath is a normal lug nut.

[dyount]

You could always buy a lock pick set on amazon and using the "rake" or "street key" you'd probably have an hour or so for all 4 to come off

[john walker's workshop]

Kill them (useless) and get a carrera set with the silver socket.

[zone5]

Stand Down, Stand Down. Poor preflight before post. Found keys in air compressor container. Apologies and thanks again Arne.

[zone5]

Thanks all.

[Jdub]

Yes, the first thing to do in this situation is empty the entire car - frunk, carpets, glovebox, and look for the key. I keep mine in a special deep socket with plastic to prevent scratching of alloy nuts.

[Jp-oh]

If you ever do lose the key a good bashing was all it took get get one off my wheel. I could get the key to work in all of them but one so I bashed it with a hammer. Easy off.

[darrin]

and, word from the wise (my wrench) -- only person these wheel locks will deter is you, the owner, when you most need to get the wheel off (usually with a flat on an icy/rainy night) -- ditch the locks and rest easier

[Scotty2H]

I realize the key was found, but just to log the advice:

I bought my car and the key was missing. I went to a Porsche dealer, they have a box of master keys per model year. I had them try all of them and as each key is numbered and I took down the key number that worked and called Mcgard (the OE key manufacturer). They sent me a new one. I think it was $20-$40 cdn whereas a new set of locks/key was $100 cdn plus hassle to remove.

[Arne2]

Originally Posted by darrin

and, word from the wise (my wrench) -- only person these wheel locks will deter is you, the owner, when you most need to get the wheel off (usually with a flat on an icy/rainy night) -- ditch the locks and rest easier

First thing I do with any wheel locks on any car I buy is remove them. After 20+ years in the tire business, you learn that they are far more pain than they are worth.

[MBAtarga]

Even with the key, those locks have been known to break/jam. Not helpful if you are on the side of the road with a flat. So as others have suggested - ditch them.

Edit - also, how many wheels have you heard of being stolen off parked 911's in the last 10 or 20 years? Thieves are too busy stealing Hondas, Lexus', and GM vehicles. They don't go to the effort of removing wheels any more.

[yelcab1]

The very first spare thing I buy for my 996GT3 and my wife's 997 is an extra wheel lock socket from Porsche. The spare parts guy at the counter agrees that life is a beotch when you lose your wheel lock socket and you need it at the least opportune time.

Now, one wheel lock socket stays with the car in the trunk, and the other goes inside by tool box in the garage.

[allaircooled]

Don't know if it can be done on fuchs, but other cars I would just hammer on a socket and twist these right off. Then bang out the lock. Could remove a set as quickly as if they were regular lug nuts.

[yelcab1]

Those fuch locks are really useless. A large remove-all socket and an impact wrench makes quick work of that stuff.

[drola]

I have the same problem except with the lock below.
my best idea so far is to pound an impact socket just big enough to fit over and turn with a breaker bar

[Arne2]

Originally Posted by drola

I have the same problem except with the lock below.
my best idea so far is to pound an impact socket just big enough to fit over and turn with a breaker bar

Yup, that's the ticket. Sometimes it works better to use a 12 point non-impact socket, gives more bite on the lock. But you have to use care to get one that is just the right size, a touch too small and the socket will split.

[MAH77]

Originally Posted by Scotty2H

I realize the key was found, but just to log the advice:

I bought my car and the key was missing. I went to a Porsche dealer, they have a box of master keys per model year. I had them try all of them and as each key is numbered and I took down the key number that worked and called Mcgard (the OE key manufacturer). They sent me a new one. I think it was $20-$40 cdn whereas a new set of locks/key was $100 cdn plus hassle to remove.

Do they have the master keys for the alarm keys also? I didn't get mine for my 1987.