r/Cartalk • u/Capable-Temporary-68 • 1d ago
I need help fixing something How screwed am I?
This is my first time changing my tires (2016 civic) im assuming I put too much force into the wheel lock key that it kinda snapped inside of the nut? I can order a replacement key easily but what do I do about half the key being stuck inside the nut? Thanks.
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u/Rockjob 1d ago
Get a bolt extractor set that's big enough. After using it, contemplate how little those security nuts do to protect against theft.
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u/RRT4444 1d ago
Exactly I get the “its a deterrent” crowd but most people that are gonna steal rims are just gonna do that
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u/mb-driver 1d ago
I used to have locking lugs on a car in the late 80s. Luckily I never had a problem. When I got our newer Benz about a year and a half ago, it had factory locking lug bolts on it, and I took them off and put the factory bolts back in. I don’t feel like messing around with a locking key if I get a flat on the side of the road.
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u/prairiepanda 22h ago
I had to change a tire with a locking lug in -30°C weather once. Never again.
The way I see it, a flat tire is a lot more likely than a stolen wheel, especially with shitty beat up wheels like mine. I'd probably lock up really nice wheels, but if I had expensive wheels I wouldn't be using them during winter.
That said, someone in my city recently stole a full set of used all-seasons on steelies from an old Elantra, so maybe cost doesn't matter that much.
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u/keremgs 1d ago
Watch this video my friend https://youtube.com/shorts/zpqszKj8Bzw?si=fvVnfrTgvc6ED8Ox
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u/Ashamed_Relative_153 1d ago
That’s pretty fucked lol. I’d just tap at it with a flathead or even try to drill a notch out if u have to, just be careful
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u/Odd-Towel-4104 14h ago
No. Use an extractor socket
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u/Ashamed_Relative_153 12h ago
I guess If one even fits in the lug nut well, and not everyone has or wants to buy a set of em.
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u/thenamewithitall 1d ago
If the security socket is magnetic, try get a magnet onto that broken off shard on the left, pull it out and then use a pick or something like a screwdriver to try and pry the rest of the key out of the groove.
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u/thenamewithitall 1d ago
If successful, spray some penetrant like WD40 into the base of the lug, let it sit and you could even tap it a few times with a non marring soft blow mallet to try unlock the threads and try again with a new socket.
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u/Downtown-Ice-5022 20h ago
Use the magnet, go to dealer and ask to pretty please use their set to remove them and buy 4 regular ones
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u/avebelle 1d ago
Find a 12pt socket that just barely fits, 21mm if I remember and hammer it on. Use a breaker bar and slowly apply torque to back it out. Throw them all in the garbage.
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u/DarthElote 1d ago
Well you're not screwing at all since it's broken!
But srsly tho, just get a regular socket that you don't care about and hammer it on the lug and take it off that way. Once you get through all 4 lugs that way you'll be tossing the socket out.
P.s. saw it was your first time - this one isn't your fault. The last tech hammered the shit out of the lug with an impact gun.
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u/The_Random_Persons 1d ago
Yeah, I don't know about fixing the locking bolt, but a trick I learned at a junkyard is to get a socket just a little bit smaller than your bolt, hammer it onto the locking bolt, then put a breaker bar on the hammered on socket and wrench off the locking bolt. Its called a sacrificial socket or something. Use one of those 12 point sockets if it really being terrible. Can confirm it works, can confirm that locking bolts are a pain in the ass and not worth it. I guess you could put on a new locking bolt after that but why would you?
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u/mrclean2323 1d ago
Just smack a large socket over it and pull it out that way. You’ll need a hammer
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u/Itchy_Notice9639 1d ago
Can you provide a scale? Just so we can gauge the depth of screwiness you have found yourself in
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u/Just_Turnip_5943 1d ago
Go to Discount Tire they can remove it for you like $20 per wheel. Been there recently
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u/PaulJDougherty 1d ago
Go to auto parts store they have socket that will take that off just as easy as a regular lug nut.
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u/Retb14 1d ago
If you don't mind getting a new lugnut then grab a grinder and cut a slot in it then get a big screw driver and get it off.
Alternatively you can just get a socket that just barely doesn't fit over it and hammer it on then undo it with a breaker bar.
Or grind some flat spots roughly opposite each other and use a wrench to get it off
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u/bobroberts1954 1d ago
That is going to be a bitch to get off. I would spend a good bit of time trying to get the key out. Needle nosed pliers and a snipped off piece of coping saw blade is where I would start.
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u/IllustriousCarrot537 1d ago edited 1d ago
If you have enough room between the outside of the bolt and the recess in the rim, use an extractor. They are basically a socket with a spiral inside. Irwin makes good ones and they aren't too dear.
If it won't fit, if you have a tig welder, weld a washer to the top of the bolt head, then weld a regular nut to the washer and unscrew.
If you don't, centre punch the middle and drill the centre pin out. The broken tool will probably then be free and use a torx or the rounded equiv. (Can't think of the name) bit to remove. (Hammer it in so it's tight)
If that fails, progressively drill larger until you have drilled the head off. Then the wheel will be free. What's left you will be able to unwind with your fingers after the wheel is off.
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u/PussyMoneyWeedMaster 1d ago
Use a twist socket, hammer that socket on like no tommorow, take a rachet and twist it off
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u/PussyMoneyWeedMaster 1d ago
Gearwrench Bolt biter Lug nut extractors, could get them from local autozone, home depot, or napa
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u/busterhymen877 1d ago
Them wheel locks are garbage, they expect you to turn that lug nut off and they give you only 1/8 of an inch space to do it
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u/Interesting-Tax-6947 23h ago
Take a socket that is slightly bigger (you’ll need to hammer it on) then get that baby off
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u/akerskates45 23h ago
If you got nothing else hammer a 20mm impact on that bitch and it will come off
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u/Important-Tennis-786 22h ago
That's certainly not good, but, as someone else said you could sacrifice a different socket that you hammer on, or grind it flat and have a cut off hardened bolt welded on to the end that you can put a socket on to remove it. Hope that helps. Good luck!
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u/Unfair-Information-2 21h ago
3/4in 12 point socket, hammer. I think i use a 3/4 for 19mm i can't remember. I would have too look at my sacrificed sockets from autozone.
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u/OGDREADLORD666 20h ago
Lug extractor tool is ridiculously easy. Hammer it on with a couple whacks and twist it off.
I stopped using them because it takes an extra 20 seconds to take one of these off. If someone's gonna steal your wheels they're gonna steal em.
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u/Recent-Personality87 18h ago
Take it to a workshop — they know how to handle this. They'll weld a nut onto it and unscrew it with an impact wrench.
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u/Chris_Himself 14h ago
we gotta drill those out. take it to a tire shop thats good. -alpha european
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u/rmorriso222 14h ago
That’s why you never use those they don’t stop a rim thief just screw you or your mechanic
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u/NottherealPMT 9h ago
That literally just happened to me. Yep they right. Hammer on a 12 point socket and using a power bar get it off. You probably won’t get the socket back but hey at least you’ll remove that lug nut.
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u/kozy6871 8h ago
Get e new set of lug nuts. I take a dremel and cut a slot in those and use an impact screwdriver to remove. There are also special tools that a tire shop most likely will have.
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u/untamedreverence 8h ago
you could get a small flathead and slowly chisel the broken bits out, or just extract it like everyone else says. up to you if you feel like its worth just buying a new ley
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u/Charming-Balance-426 6h ago
I hate these key lug nuts. Make you use a 12 point socket that is slightly larger than the top of the lug nut,get a heavy hammer or small sledge and give it a few taps in and then give it a few more good whacks, so the points can get a good bite.
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u/Educational-Wave4386 5h ago
They make special sockets for removing lug nuts that are stuck. I can’t remember the exact name, but I think they’re called extractors or something like that.
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u/NoodlesRomanoff 3h ago
I had this problem. But the hole in my alloy wheel was too small for the standard 21.5mm socket. I had to hire a portable machine shop guy for $300 to drill it out and replace the stud. I’ll never use these locking lugs again.
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u/Kstotsenberg 3h ago
About the cost of an 18-19mm deep wall socket. Smack it on, pull it off, throw away. Rinse repeat.
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u/PerformerPossible204 2h ago
Harbor freight has a kit that will take these right off. Fits on any socket wrench, easy to use.
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u/VariousClaim3610 27m ago
You can’t be the first one. If the locking lug nuts came with the car / from a dealer the service department will have spares.
I bet you could get a screwdriver or something in there and pick out the metal.
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u/NeighborhoodBig2286 1d ago
You can get that out without damaging the lug nut. Drill small holes in what stuck inside. Order new key
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u/youcancallmejim 1d ago
I have heard that if you get a cutting wheel, put a straight line in it, then use a screw driver to loose it.
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u/Reddidiot_69 1d ago
No screwdriver is going to loosen a lug nut. If it does, then you may have a bigger issue on your hands.
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u/Capable-Temporary-68 21m ago
Edit: thank you for the suggestions! I ended up taking it to a garage and they did it for really cheap.
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u/letigre87 1d ago
Hammer a sacrificial socket on it and then just remove it.