Help Please - Wheel Lock Removal Solution- Lost Tool

[Baz]

Originally Posted by TimT

I have a key for those wheel locks that looks like it might fit..

Looks like a perfect fit.



There ya go, Gambler....problem solved!

And Tim gets a case of beer!

[Tobra]

Moral of the story, wheel locks are the devil

[911 Rod]

Can you cut the studs off from the other side?

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Can you cut the studs off from the other side?

Gotta remove the wheel to get to the back of the stud then its an acrobatic exercise with various die grinding wheels.

[asphaltgambler]

Originally Posted by TimT

I have a key for those wheel locks that looks like it might fit..

I had these locks on a car years ago, and removed them and tossed them in a toolbox drawer...

LMK if you want to try

Tim - sent you a PM

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Baz

Looks like a perfect fit.



There ya go, Gambler....problem solved!

And Tim gets a case of beer!

Damn looks like an exact match.

Even if one or two of the pins are off you could probably just grind them off.

Do we really think it needs all 5 pins to do the job?

[fred cook]

Why not drill out the stud inside the lock? It might take several bits but at least your nice $$$ wheels would be protected. Once you get the wheel off, just replace the wheel stud. If you can't get it with drill bits, try a grinding bit in a high speed air tool. Good luck!

[Baz]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Damn looks like an exact match.

Even if one or two of the pins are off you could probably just grind them off.

Do we really think it needs all 5 pins to do the job?

Yeah....that's why I brought the images together in one post.

They are an exact match as far as I can see.

Like I said - problem solved. Close the Internet for the rest of the day...

[Mahler9th]

That product was I think sold by Automotion and/or Garretson's back in the day. I used to have a few sets. When one of my keys broke, I discovered that the company was right off of Old Middlefield in Mountain View, right near the location of the Garretson/Barbour racing team that spawned the creation of, for example Automotion.

Those pins can break off so I advise caution.

[Jeff Hail]

Looks like the dreaded Ralph Booth wheel locks. Everyone here has some good ideas.
The pilot holes are the key code to remove the forcing cones. Think backwards !

22 MM Gorilla Grip should be the correct size. Get some bolts that will fit the pilot holes or cut some heads off some socket caps and make 3 or 4 fingers. Insert into the pilot holes and then press the Gorilla Grip over the bolt shanks. Dont need to be long. 1/2 or 3/4 inch length length should work. Just keep pressure towards the wheel. Might take a few tries to get coordinated with a budy.

Your key looked like this.



You need to make something like this.



With McGiver stuff like this. This is a 19mm Gorilla Grip. I would find a 22mm. Short stubby bolts that make the pins. Make sure the need pins in the socket are not shuffling around and that cone will come off.

[asphaltgambler]

Thanks all - So Tim is kind enough to lend me his key, as already stated by stomachmonkey that - not sure if I need all the pins. I think 4 would be enough as the torque is @95ft lbs.

I think the pattern looks very close though. If not, the base nut is aluminum and fairly soft as when I tried to clock it loose with a long punch into one of the holes, the metal was more pliable than even I would have thought.

So if the pattern is not close I'm confident that I can drill the base nut. So stand by all...............

[Shaun @ Tru6]

if you end up having to drill new holes to match Tim's key, put some nail polish, Gucci's Goldie Red is good, on the ends of the pins and touch the lock. Dries fast, use a punch to mark, 1/16 drill bit to start and then 1/8 or whatever the pin diameter is. good luck!

The reverse works too: toothpicks or small machine screws in the holes on your lock, nail polish on ends, touch a 3/4 nut from Home Depot to mark, drill press holes in the nut and then you can either use drill bits as pins for a temp solution or machine screws to make a new tool.

[asphaltgambler]

Yes, exactly what I’ll do, I have bright red touch-up paint have center-punch marking tool

[asphaltgambler]

So check this out. TimT sent me his lock key and threaded holder, received in the mail today. In the interim I installed the new tags, then wiped the glove box out, removed the owner's manual packet to clean. As I remove the booklets from the vinyl holder guess what was in there?



This is the wheel lock key card with the key code that of course was buried in the owners manual as I NOW recall doing. If you look closely see the hand written code =8C

I open the box containing the wheel lock that TimT sent me - look at the engraved code on the face...........guess what it says?



....8C!

So what are the odds of all the key code combinations, from a company that apparantly is no longer in business, and a fellow Pelicanite just happens to have a spare set willing to lend you their key and holder?

All-in-all a pretty awesome day if you ask me!

[Baz]

Told you it was a match!

But to your greater point - absolutely fantastic that it worked out so well.

Much respect to Tim!

Now go get yourself some lottery tickets, Gambler!

[herr_oberst]

The Pelican Universe abides.

[asphaltgambler]

God's Blessing on me today as this restoration has been so difficult and time consuming I'm convinced the car hates me. But not today

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

The Pelican Universe abides.

Boy howdy on that!

[masraum]

That's outstanding!

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

The Pelican Universe abides.

That means AG or TimT's next car will be an 8C!