New member - have a question

[daveimme]

I am picking up an 83 944 from my mechanic. Car has 54k original miles, beige exterior/brown interior, and looks pretty good. It has a salvage title since it was in a minor front end wreck 8 yrs ago, which is fine by me...cuz mechanically it is in perfect shape.

My best friend is a german mechanic (that is, works on german cars), but he lives out of state (will see him next week with this and want it to surprise him). I have one issue at the moment.

The wheel locks on the 944. We have no key. All my mechanic has is the ignition/trunk key.....where do I get a new wheel lock key? I am driving this out of town next week, and don't want to be caught with a flat and no way to remove the wheel.

Any suggestions??

[Z-man]

You may want to check in the rear hatch under the carpet. Often Porsche mechanics would tape the spare wheel lock key there in case the customer came in without the key.

If it's not there, I believe your best bet is to have the locked drilled.

These days, people don't steal wheels, they steal whole cars!

Welcome to the board!

-Zoltan.

[daveimme]

Thanks for the quick reply and thanks for the welcome

Yeah, I will check the trunk when I go by after lunch and will consider drilling it if none is to be found.

I can't wait to get the car on the road!

P.S. Anybody here from the Baton Rouge. LA area?

[Stuttgart951]

Welcome to the boards!

I would assume that a Porsche Dealer can order you a key for your lock, no? It will probably be expensive, but at least youll be able to change a tire.

[scottmandue]

Welcome!

Hey hey... another "early" 944 owner, our numbers are growing!

I bought my '84 with the wheel locks drilled out and have had no problem BUT I garage my car and do not frequent bad neighborhoods with it.
Heck I don't even lock it, drives my friends nuts "it's a Porsche! what are you doing!" I (almost) always park the car where I can see it. I'm more worried about some stupidhead smashing a window ($$$) to get the change in the ashtray. Oh and pos radio so no concern there either, I would rather listen to the car.

BTW my car runs strong and has 144K miles so you should be good for 90K at least.

maintenance, maintenance, maintenance!

[Britwrench]

Drill the locks off, Porsche do not keep the key numbers for wheel locks so the dealer won't be able to help you.

[Stuttgart951]

I stand corrected.

[SoCal Driver]

The 86 I bought as a parts car had the locks. These had been removed and put in the drivers door pocket. Took forever to find the key then only after I was taking the door panel off and the key, about half the size of the ignition key, fell out. I had been wedged between the door panel and the arm rest pocket.

I have one key, four tumblers/locks and three of the special long open ended wheel nuts. Can't find the fourth nut for the life of me.

[jseel]

they only make three keys for each set of wheel locks, and apparently wont sell you blanks.i found out because mine only came with one key.

[todwic]

Drill em out, if want locking nuts (tee hee hee) they sell em at any Auto parts store.
You'll not find a board with a more helpful bunch of folks, ~~Welcome~~
oh yeah, I'm from Arkansas
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[justin]

Welcome!!!!! I'm in Fort Worth,TX area,if your ever this way give me a shout. I'm always there for another early 944'er.

[daveimme]

Thanks alot guys.....guess tomorrow they'll be drilled out. I've had to drill out stripped screws on brake reservoir (dirt bikes) many a times; what size bit do I use for the lock?

Gonna go to Little Rock next weekend for a softball tournament....driving the 944 to Memphis, then ride with buddies in his car to L.R....

I should be getting it home this weekend...can't wait!

[jseel]

the bit should be smaller than the hole the key fits into, the long way of course. be careful, there isnt really much there. the lug nut the lock goes on fills most of it.

[todwic]

I'm not sure how the locking mechanism works, but if it clamps donw on the stud, maybe you could take the whole stud off just by applying enough torque to the lug nut? Then you could either replace the stud, or beat the lock off with a stick

---

[jseel]

i think i see a drill bit in his future...

[SoCal Driver]

Most like there is a key somewhere in the car.

He just needs to be a bit creative and through in finding it.

Other wise a 1/4" cobalt bit should do it.

[AFJuvat]

If you do have a key, Automotion does sell the key blanks,

If you don't, just drill it out, as SoCal said, 1/4 bot should do the trick - after you get the lock off, remove that lugnut and make sure to get the debris out.

Porsche does not make those locks anymore. If you are worried about it thougm, they do sell a set of lugnuts that require a special socket to remove. Think they want something like $60 for them

Welcome to the group
AFJuvat

[SoCal Driver]

I have four stock lug nuts I'll send you for the four long lock lug nuts. I also need the plastic covers. You can throw away the drilled locks.

[daveimme]

I haven't gotten the car yet....my mechanic has drained the gas tank to be sure it is good and clean...plus we have extra parts that are in the back of the car....I shall be cleaning it out today or tomorrow so I can look for the wheel lock key.....and if I cannot find it, I just may trade them for 4 stock lug nuts.

Where I live, crime is low...we have an excellent police force in my town/neighborhood, plus at work, I park it in a priveleged parking garage at the court house. I'm not worried about my tires being missing when I get off work.

So, SoCal...let me get a good assessment of what is going on, then I will let you know.

My mechanic/buddy is good; just a little slow....he's gonna be working on it today for me.

[SoCal Driver]

Send me an address via Pelicans private message and I'll get you four lugs nuts anyway. Have a bit of a pile of them after the latest parts car.

Enjoy your new toy and don't skimp on the maintenance.