Anti-theft Lug Nuts.... Not so Great

[SilverSahara]

These locking lug nuts came straight from the dealer. Bottom 4 tires had one style, spare tire had another. We took our JLU to our tire place to upgrade the tires, they had no problem removing all 5 wheels and reinstalling. When I went to remove the spare last weekend, I had no key. Took Hoss back and told them I needed these dumb lugs off and... disaster. Several days later, overnighted parts from Detroit and 3 new wheels, it’s back to what it used to be. Moral of the story, check your lugs, check your keys, don’t lose them, they’re crap to start with and don’t let anyone drill out your lug stud without telling you. It cost this place over $1,500 to fix their damages.

Sponsored

 

[Shenanigans]

That’s dumb of them to even try. The major tool manufacturers make tool kits to get these things off. There are much better ways than mangling someone’s vehicle.

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

I didn’t let my dealer even put them on. On wife’s GMC, they’re in the glove compartment and not on the wheels. Nothing but trouble, in my experience. (Had one split right in half while changing a flat in subzero weather. What should have been a 20 minute job turned into a tow and expensive bill.)

Also, I have to say that whatever shop caused that damage is not so good. They could have welded a socket on to the ends to break them free without causing any damage. Sounds like they made things right, though, so that’s good.

My $0.02 - toss those anti-theft lugs in the trash.

 

[ormandj]

It looks like they worked as they are supposed to? I can't believe they butchered your wheels like that instead of requiring you to provide a key that fit (or rummaging through the bucket of the 16 different kinds of keys for Jeep locks most places carry...). Wonder why you had a mismatched spare key, that's unfortunate. Glad they made it right monetarily, even if it was a PITA.

 

[Zazoh]

Moral of the Story, never use that tire place again.

 

[ERIXJLUR]

A mechanic friend showed me just how easy locking lugs are to remove.

Deep impact socket one size too small. Bang it on with a hammer and remove with impact gun.

Adds 2 minutes to the process.

 

[ERIXJLUR]

 

[mazeppa]

I just can not believe the damage caused by such ignorance. Even the smallest of tire shops should have the proper tools to remove locking lug nuts without the key.

 

[Capt-Zoom]

If they didnt have the right sockets they should have simply welded a nut on. I hate locking lug nuts. Really bad if u live where they put salt on roads...makes them weaken even faster.

 

[Biscuit]

I didn’t let my dealer even put them on. On wife’s GMC, they’re in the glove compartment and not on the wheels. Nothing but trouble, in my experience. (Had one split right in half while changing a flat in subzero weather. What should have been a 20 minute job turned into a tow and expensive bill.)

Also, I have to say that whatever shop caused that damage is not so good. They could have welded a socket on to the ends to break them free without causing any damage. Sounds like they made things right, though, so that’s good.

My $0.02 - toss those anti-theft lugs in the trash.

I agree; they're garbage, both Chinese-made and American-made. And they'll fail even if you install/remove manually with the key.

 

[NFRs2000NYC]

The only person those stupid Mcgard style locks stop from taking wheels off is the owner. If you have these locks on your jeep remove them and throw them in the trash. Either get gorilla lugs or dont bother at all.

Sponsored