need some help getting off some lug nuts

[plyhammer]

I brought the new car home last weekend and found that one lug on each wheel was a special lug that takes a special tool to get off. I was wondering if anyone thinks they have it and would mind renting it to me? I have tried to weld a nut on the end of the lug to then turn it off, I have tried a backwards stripping tool but it is too thick to get a good bite. Thanks to anyone that can help. Ply


Oh and the owner says, "I didn't know it had those on there" grrrrr

[Razorback1980]

Unfortunately for you, there are many different keys for those bolts...not just any one will do. So even if someone has one, it probably wouldn't work on yours. I wish I had an answer but it's not coming to me at the moment. I'm thinking but i'll have to get back to you. A slot in the end is coming to mind but I can't figure a way to get in there to make it.

[OnTheRun2]

I have had some luck in the past with a hammer and chisel. You start at one edge, cutting a deep grove in the nut then tap it around until it comes loose.
This will take some time.
One that was too tight, I got off by cutting a deep grove across the middle of the nut, so I could use a large flat head screw driver on it.

Good luck, and be careful not to scar up your wheels too bad.

[Razorback1980]

Maybe get a die grinder with a cut off wheel that you have used down small enough to get in there and put a slot in the end and use a screwdriver on it like OnTheRun was talking about. The problem is it's in such a small space. Another thought might be to use a file and square up the end and use the stripped nut removal tools to get it off. Nothing fast and easy comes to mind. Possibly....Drill a hole in the end and tap left handed threads in there and screw a bolt in it....or maybe an easy out. Just not sure the metal would be strong enough to hold the left threaded bolt without stripping. I have no idea if this would work or not...but maybe put a small roll pin in a couple of the grooves with grease to hold them in place and try slipping a socket over them just big enough to catch the roll pins.

[phoenix_iii]

Dremel.

Split the head, pry it apart, then use some finer tools and split the side or errode with a sanding disc/spindel (thin). Worst case is you need a new wheel bolt/stud. Shouldn't take more than 15 minutes a wheel if you are careful.



(more pics afterwards)

[legoland951]

All the mentioned methods above runs a high risk of damaging the wheel. The best way is to find a 12 point socket that is slightly smaller the nut and hammer it all the way down. Make sure the socket is a disposable one and if you get one too small, the socket will split or not go around the nut. In some cases, I had to use SAE sockets but works every time if you get the right size. I have had to do this more than 50 times and with recessed holes on a PD wheel like this one, you don't have much of a choice.

[flashgordon13]

You mentioned that you have tried a socket for removing stripped nuts but it's too big to get deep enough. Perhaps you can grind the walls of the socket thinner so it will get deeper into the wheel and get a better bite on the nuts. It really sounds like your choices are limited. Please let us know how you end up getting these off. I have seen these nuts before and often wondered how I would get them off in a case like you are facing.

[legoland951]

Believe me, I just got a set off last month. This method works.

[flash968]

snap-on makes a tool for exactly this purpose - it works like an easy-out, but from the outside

that looks like the OEM lock, which is made by mcgard - the dealers generally have a master set with all 50 of those keys

[plyhammer]

thanks guys, I'll keep you all posted.

[Britwrench]

That's a later Porsche lock-nut. As Flash968 said, the dealers have a master set (and so do some independants),to save time and money, just go to the dealer.

If you want to drill it out, use a 3/4" hole saw, which doesn't damage the stud or wheel.

[Aufgeladen944]

This reminds me that I have two locking lug nuts on my car. I have the Fuchs wheels though. I might still have the key, but I somehow doubt it. I'm bookmarking this thread in case I have to get it out.

The generic reverse thread kits don't work on our cars? Because that was my backup...

[Razorback1980]

Originally Posted by legoland951

All the mentioned methods above runs a high risk of damaging the wheel. The best way is to find a 12 point socket that is slightly smaller the nut and hammer it all the way down. Make sure the socket is a disposable one and if you get one too small, the socket will split or not go around the nut. In some cases, I had to use SAE sockets but works every time if you get the right size. I have had to do this more than 50 times and with recessed holes on a PD wheel like this one, you don't have much of a choice.

Hmmm...should we have someone check his garage for wheels?

[plyhammer]

And the winner is..........Legoland.

He is my hero for the night.

Ok, basically took a deep well 13/16 12 points socket and tapped it onto the lug.
Really didn't care about the socket as we all no we don't need the SAE stuff.
It came off very nicely. The problem is that you don't want to go out and buy 4 sockets because you now have the lug stuck. What I found is to take a grinder and shear the end of the lug off that is still stickng out of the socket. Then take a 3/4 inch socket and mate that to the 13/16. Then put a 1/4" diameter extension on the opposite end of the 13/16. You now have a sandwich of the 3/4-lug-13/16 and then the extension. Smack the 3/4 which pushes the 13/16 off of the lug and viola, next lug. On the last one I did bust the 1/4" extension through the end of the lug and had to grind 1/2 of the socket off but it worked very well. Thank you all.

[legoland951]

Tom, I have 6 sets of wheels in my garage. Thats not too many considering I have owned over 100 944s in the last 15 years and currently have 7. I have sent over 20 944/951s to heaven personally with a sawsall so I am very familiar with EVERY nut and bolt on the cars. There are lots of wrecks and the local police impound or salvage auctions are good places to find them.

[Razorback1980]

That's a lot of 944s. Good you had that knowledge as it came in handy here. I know we all appreciate the help you have given all the members here. I know how frustrating it can be to get a bolt off with no way to do it and your advice on this one was definitely beneficial. Are you a recycler or just like 944s like the rest of us?

[legoland951]

Its a hobby (a sickness according to my wife). I used to buy and sell cars (crappy ones or parts too) in the thousands when I had a business partner because I love cars. Now I only wrench on 944s for fun.