Help with wheel lug lock issue

[marcsalleras]

I have an 86 911.....have the one lug lock on each wheel with the OEM locks on it (kind that are just cylindrical all around and slide over the lug itself so no socket can fit over it with the key hole on the face of the lock)....Was down in florida a little while ago and someone stole my keys which had the key to those on there.....now someone hit my front left fender and I'm about to go have it taken off and have a new painted one put on but part of that process is removing 6 nuts in the wheel well which would be easier with the tire off...........any idea how to get the locks off? anyone ever tried picking them....or maybe cutting the heads off? or are all the keys the same for those locks so maybe i should look for another pelican with a key orrr? Up **** creak without a paddle.

[porschenut]

Originally Posted by marcsalleras

but part of that process is removing 6 nuts in the wheel well which would be easier with the tire off.......

If there are 6 nuts in your wheel well then one of them must be you.

A carefully targeted hammer blow ought to remove them with little drama. The ones I had could be removed with my bare hand. I found them to be useless.

[Joe Bob]

Use a sacrificial, slightly oversized socket. Jam it/pound it on pull the nuts.

[JohnJL]

Many garages have sets of these locks just for this purpose...

[vracer]

The garage that did a PPI for me said it took longer to walk to the toolbox to pick up a slidehammer than to remove the cover. There is a tall conventional hex lug under it.

[john walker's workshop]

they are pretty easy to kill and remove. i use an air hammer and a chisel bit. face mask/gloves. just shear the flanged top off. aim away from the wheel parts.

[tonythetarga]

if you prefer to keep the locks intact, have a locksmith come over and make you a key.....and a spare

[marcsalleras]

So options are hammer it head on, cut off the face of it, or get a locksmith involved..............time to break **** gentlemen. Appreciate the help.

[porschenut]

Originally Posted by marcsalleras

So options are hammer it head on,

I recommend a side blow. A light tap may be all that's needed. If not, tap a little harder.

[newms]

you can also drill out the 'lock' in the center in about 3 seconds then the cap slides off

[marcsalleras]

drilling it out took about a minute and 30 per lock, did it with an electric drill and average drill bit...thanks gentlemen

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Use a sacrificial, slightly oversized socket. Jam it/pound it on pull the nuts.

+ 1

Did that on a broken lock on the wife civic

[ejp]

Originally Posted by porschenut

I recommend a side blow. A light tap may be all that's needed. If not, tap a little harder.

So if all that's required is a single blow with a hammer - are the locks even worth it? I'm considering pulling mine and buying a few OEM lugnuts for a cleaner look.

[Joe Bob]

Wheel locks are a waste of time.....

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Wheel locks are a waste of time.....

and $$$