About 4 weeks ago I bought a secondhand Nissan QX and stupidly I've only 
just realised that it has locking wheel nuts but there's no "key" socket for 
them. Assuming that they're factory fitted (because they look *exactly* like 
the ones on my old QX that I part-ex'd for this one), I went to Nissan main 
stealers only to be told that they can't supply just the key socket and I 
would need to get a full set - but that they don't specify one for that car 
any longer.

Whatever I decide to do, I have to get the existing ones out so my question 
is, given the range of tools and gadgets available to a mechanic in a 
well-stocked workshop (main stealers or not) is there a quick and easy way 
for a mechanic to get them off?

The only other thing I could think of is that I've looked at Autotrader 
website and there are two QXs for sale in Manchester (about 35 miles from 
me) so, again assuming that because they look the same as my old ones, I 
could see if they would be willing to let me try their key-sockets on mine.

Which is likely to be the most cost effective method?

John wrote:
> About 4 weeks ago I bought a secondhand Nissan QX and stupidly I've
> only just realised that it has locking wheel nuts but there's no
> "key" socket for them. Assuming that they're factory fitted (because
> they look *exactly* like the ones on my old QX that I part-ex'd for
> this one), I went to Nissan main stealers only to be told that they
> can't supply just the key socket and I would need to get a full set -
> but that they don't specify one for that car any longer.
>
> Whatever I decide to do, I have to get the existing ones out so my
> question is, given the range of tools and gadgets available to a
> mechanic in a well-stocked workshop (main stealers or not) is there a
> quick and easy way for a mechanic to get them off?
>
> The only other thing I could think of is that I've looked at
> Autotrader website and there are two QXs for sale in Manchester
> (about 35 miles from me) so, again assuming that because they look
> the same as my old ones, I could see if they would be willing to let
> me try their key-sockets on mine.
> Which is likely to be the most cost effective method?

Something along the lines of ordering a new set of McGard bolts with the 
correct length, thread and fitting (ball or taper) for your hubs and wheels. 
Then taking the car down to the nearest tyre fitters and giving them £20.

On Sat, 2 Aug 2008 13:43:48 +0100, "John" <x@y.z> wrote:

>About 4 weeks ago I bought a secondhand Nissan QX and stupidly I've only 
>just realised that it has locking wheel nuts but there's no "key" socket for 
>them. Assuming that they're factory fitted (because they look *exactly* like 
>the ones on my old QX that I part-ex'd for this one), I went to Nissan main 
>stealers only to be told that they can't supply just the key socket and I 
>would need to get a full set - but that they don't specify one for that car 
>any longer.
>
>Whatever I decide to do, I have to get the existing ones out so my question 
>is, given the range of tools and gadgets available to a mechanic in a 
>well-stocked workshop (main stealers or not) is there a quick and easy way 
>for a mechanic to get them off?
>
>The only other thing I could think of is that I've looked at Autotrader 
>website and there are two QXs for sale in Manchester (about 35 miles from 
>me) so, again assuming that because they look the same as my old ones, I 
>could see if they would be willing to let me try their key-sockets on mine.
>
>Which is likely to be the most cost effective method? 
>

Have you tried locating the previous owner. They may just have the key sitting
in their toolbox !

Andy Cap wrote:
> On Sat, 2 Aug 2008 13:43:48 +0100, "John" <x@y.z> wrote:
>
>> About 4 weeks ago I bought a secondhand Nissan QX and stupidly I've
>> only just realised that it has locking wheel nuts but there's no
>> "key" socket for them. Assuming that they're factory fitted (because
>> they look *exactly* like the ones on my old QX that I part-ex'd for
>> this one), I went to Nissan main stealers only to be told that they
>> can't supply just the key socket and I would need to get a full set
>> - but that they don't specify one for that car any longer.
>>
>> Whatever I decide to do, I have to get the existing ones out so my
>> question is, given the range of tools and gadgets available to a
>> mechanic in a well-stocked workshop (main stealers or not) is there
>> a quick and easy way for a mechanic to get them off?
>>
>> The only other thing I could think of is that I've looked at
>> Autotrader website and there are two QXs for sale in Manchester
>> (about 35 miles from me) so, again assuming that because they look
>> the same as my old ones, I could see if they would be willing to let
>> me try their key-sockets on mine.
>>
>> Which is likely to be the most cost effective method?
>>
>
> Have you tried locating the previous owner. They may just have the
> key sitting in their toolbox !

Good plan Mr. Cap - I'll do it right now  :o)

John

Doki wrote:
> John wrote:
>> About 4 weeks ago I bought a secondhand Nissan QX and stupidly I've
>> only just realised that it has locking wheel nuts but there's no
>> "key" socket for them. Assuming that they're factory fitted (because
>> they look *exactly* like the ones on my old QX that I part-ex'd for
>> this one), I went to Nissan main stealers only to be told that they
>> can't supply just the key socket and I would need to get a full set -
>> but that they don't specify one for that car any longer.
>>
>> Whatever I decide to do, I have to get the existing ones out so my
>> question is, given the range of tools and gadgets available to a
>> mechanic in a well-stocked workshop (main stealers or not) is there a
>> quick and easy way for a mechanic to get them off?
>>
>> The only other thing I could think of is that I've looked at
>> Autotrader website and there are two QXs for sale in Manchester
>> (about 35 miles from me) so, again assuming that because they look
>> the same as my old ones, I could see if they would be willing to let
>> me try their key-sockets on mine.
>> Which is likely to be the most cost effective method?
>
> Something along the lines of ordering a new set of McGard bolts with
> the correct length, thread and fitting (ball or taper) for your hubs
> and wheels. Then taking the car down to the nearest tyre fitters and
> giving them £20.

Thanks Doki. If Andy cap's plan of contacting the previous owner fails to 
turn up anything then I'll do that. Cheers.

John

"John" <x@y.z> wrote in message
news:r9CdncNvytsZywnVnZ2dnUVZ8uydnZ2d@bt.com...
> About 4 weeks ago I bought a secondhand Nissan QX and stupidly I've only
> just realised that it has locking wheel nuts but there's no "key" socket
> for them...
> Whatever I decide to do, I have to get the existing ones out so my
> question is, given the range of tools and gadgets available to a mechanic
> in a well-stocked workshop (main stealers or not) is there a quick and
> easy way for a mechanic to get them off?
>
> The only other thing I could think of is that I've looked at Autotrader
> website and there are two QXs for sale in Manchester (about 35 miles from
> me) so, again assuming that because they look the same as my old ones, I
> could see if they would be willing to let me try their key-sockets on
> mine.
>
> Which is likely to be the most cost effective method?
>
Obviously if you can try someone else's key, try it, but I would suspect
that it will NOT fit, though I do not know what kind of key it is.
In the workshop to remove the bolt you can do one of two things:
1) use a bolt/screw removal tool (cleaner and no damage to surrounding
parts) or
2) weld a std bolt/nut to it and use a spanner



** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

John <x@y.z> wrote:

> Whatever I decide to do, I have to get the existing ones out so my question
> is, given the range of tools and gadgets available to a mechanic in a
> well-stocked workshop (main stealers or not) is there a quick and easy way
> for a mechanic to get them off?

Yes, a stud extractor. They'll be useless afterwards but that shouldn't
bother you. You could do it yourself if you wanted to for a fraction of
the price a dealer will charge. Third party locknuts are widely
available as a replacement.

John wrote:
> About 4 weeks ago I bought a secondhand Nissan QX and stupidly I've only 
> just realised that it has locking wheel nuts but there's no "key" socket for 
> them. Assuming that they're factory fitted (because they look *exactly* like 
> the ones on my old QX that I part-ex'd for this one), I went to Nissan main 
> stealers only to be told that they can't supply just the key socket and I 
> would need to get a full set - but that they don't specify one for that car 
> any longer.
> 
> Whatever I decide to do, I have to get the existing ones out so my question 
> is, given the range of tools and gadgets available to a mechanic in a 
> well-stocked workshop (main stealers or not) is there a quick and easy way 
> for a mechanic to get them off?
> 
> The only other thing I could think of is that I've looked at Autotrader 
> website and there are two QXs for sale in Manchester (about 35 miles from 
> me) so, again assuming that because they look the same as my old ones, I 
> could see if they would be willing to let me try their key-sockets on mine.
> 
> Which is likely to be the most cost effective method? 

I recently lost the wheel key for an Audi after I went driving with the 
key in the wheel.

I phoned the parts desk at a dealer who said he had a complete set of 
keys.  He said there are 20 or 30 different dealer fitted types.

He let me take the car in and he removed the offending bolts for me.  I 
bought a new set of locking bolts from stock for about £20.  He was 
prepared to sell me a key for about £25 but I'd have had to order it.  I 
don't hear of people stealing alloy wheels so often these days, so I 
nearly just bought 4 plain bolts from a scrappy.

£20.  Not my car.  Saved me a journey.  Proper job.  (c:

I'm sure there are other ways of getting the bolts out.  The people at 
Tyre fitting shops will have a technique no doubt.

-- 
Douglas

John wrote:
> About 4 weeks ago I bought a secondhand Nissan QX and stupidly I've
> only just realised that it has locking wheel nuts but there's no
> "key" socket for them. Assuming that they're factory fitted (because
> they look *exactly* like the ones on my old QX that I part-ex'd for
> this one), I went to Nissan main stealers only to be told that they
> can't supply just the key socket and I would need to get a full set -
> but that they don't specify one for that car any longer.
>
> Whatever I decide to do, I have to get the existing ones out so my
> question is, given the range of tools and gadgets available to a
> mechanic in a well-stocked workshop (main stealers or not) is there a
> quick and easy way for a mechanic to get them off?
>
> The only other thing I could think of is that I've looked at
> Autotrader website and there are two QXs for sale in Manchester
> (about 35 miles from me) so, again assuming that because they look
> the same as my old ones, I could see if they would be willing to let
> me try their key-sockets on mine.
> Which is likely to be the most cost effective method?

screwfix sell a set of removers for locking wheel nuts, so most tyre shops 
are likely to have a set

In article , John says...
> About 4 weeks ago I bought a secondhand Nissan QX and stupidly I've only 
> just realised that it has locking wheel nuts but there's no "key" socket for 
> them. Assuming that they're factory fitted (because they look *exactly* like 
> the ones on my old QX that I part-ex'd for this one), I went to Nissan main 
> stealers only to be told that they can't supply just the key socket and I 
> would need to get a full set - but that they don't specify one for that car 
> any longer.
> 
> Whatever I decide to do, I have to get the existing ones out so my question 
> is, given the range of tools and gadgets available to a mechanic in a 
> well-stocked workshop (main stealers or not) is there a quick and easy way 
> for a mechanic to get them off?
> 
Yeah. Most tyre fitting shops carry a set of special sockets to get 
them off. They're unusable afterwards but at least they're off.
 

-- 
Conor

I only please one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow isn't 
looking good either. - Scott Adams

On Sat, 2 Aug 2008 17:16:37 +0100, Conor 
wrote:

>In article , John says...
>> About 4 weeks ago I bought a secondhand Nissan QX and stupidly I've only 
>> just realised that it has locking wheel nuts but there's no "key" socket for 
>> them. Assuming that they're factory fitted (because they look *exactly* like 
>> the ones on my old QX that I part-ex'd for this one), I went to Nissan main 
>> stealers only to be told that they can't supply just the key socket and I 
>> would need to get a full set - but that they don't specify one for that car 
>> any longer.
>> 
>> Whatever I decide to do, I have to get the existing ones out so my question 
>> is, given the range of tools and gadgets available to a mechanic in a 
>> well-stocked workshop (main stealers or not) is there a quick and easy way 
>> for a mechanic to get them off?
>> 
>Yeah. Most tyre fitting shops carry a set of special sockets to get 
>them off. They're unusable afterwards but at least they're off.
> 

Charlie Brown's on Pudsey Rd. kept an old "spider" type universal
wheelnut spanner for just this purpose. They used to bray it on one
size down with a lump hammer. 

Sorted.

Derek

On Sat, 2 Aug 2008 17:16:37 +0100, Conor 
wrote:

>In article , John says...
>> About 4 weeks ago I bought a secondhand Nissan QX and stupidly I've only 
>> just realised that it has locking wheel nuts but there's no "key" socket for 
>> them. Assuming that they're factory fitted (because they look *exactly* like 
>> the ones on my old QX that I part-ex'd for this one), I went to Nissan main 
>> stealers only to be told that they can't supply just the key socket and I 
>> would need to get a full set - but that they don't specify one for that car 
>> any longer.
>> 
>> Whatever I decide to do, I have to get the existing ones out so my question 
>> is, given the range of tools and gadgets available to a mechanic in a 
>> well-stocked workshop (main stealers or not) is there a quick and easy way 
>> for a mechanic to get them off?
>> 
>Yeah. Most tyre fitting shops carry a set of special sockets to get 
>them off. They're unusable afterwards but at least they're off.

The sockets are inside out easy-outs with a corse helix, hammer on, be
prepared to pay £20 for a new set if they crack one getting your nuts
off.
-- 
Peter Hill
Spamtrap reply domain as per NNTP-Posting-Host in header
Can of worms - what every fisherman wants.
Can of worms - what every PC owner gets!

In message , John <x@y.z>
writes
>About 4 weeks ago I bought a secondhand Nissan QX and stupidly I've only
>just realised that it has locking wheel nuts but there's no "key" socket for
>them. Assuming that they're factory fitted (because they look *exactly* like
>the ones on my old QX that I part-ex'd for this one), I went to Nissan main
>stealers only to be told that they can't supply just the key socket and I
>would need to get a full set - but that they don't specify one for that car
>any longer.
>
>Whatever I decide to do, I have to get the existing ones out so my question
>is, given the range of tools and gadgets available to a mechanic in a
>well-stocked workshop (main stealers or not) is there a quick and easy way
>for a mechanic to get them off?
>
>The only other thing I could think of is that I've looked at Autotrader
>website and there are two QXs for sale in Manchester (about 35 miles from
>me) so, again assuming that because they look the same as my old ones, I
>could see if they would be willing to let me try their key-sockets on mine.
>
>Which is likely to be the most cost effective method?
>
>


You could try one of those gator grip sockets that supposedly grips
anything - alternatively drill a hole in the centre of each nut and try
a screw extractor. If the nut is proud of the wheel you could grind two
sides flat and get a spanner on it. I've heard it said that some people
have had success with an oversize socket filled with Araldite which is
allowed to set over the lock nut. Maybe a diamond wheel could put a
large slot in the face of it which you could use with a big screwdriver.



-- 
leo

John wrote:

> Which is likely to be the most cost effective method? 
> 
> 
As Andy-Cap said - try the previous owner. That's what I did, in exactly 
the same circumstance as yourself (after approaching main-dealer, who, 
after much-sucking-of-teeth and talk of thoasands of combos said that 
they usually can get wheel nuts off, about 20-30 minutes each wheel, and 
it'd cost the usual £70 labour per hour).

I wrote, politely (since it's not his problem), to the previous, who 
phoned back to explain that the locking key was given to the garage that 
sold the car onto me.

That was the ammunition needed to stop the garage fobbing me off, and 
they produced a "magic box" of a variety of locking keys; 20 minutes 
later and I was back on the way home, key in hand.

Mike Dodd wrote:
> John wrote:
>
>> Which is likely to be the most cost effective method?
>>
>>
> As Andy-Cap said - try the previous owner. That's what I did, in
> exactly the same circumstance as yourself (after approaching
> main-dealer, who, after much-sucking-of-teeth and talk of thoasands
> of combos said that they usually can get wheel nuts off, about 20-30
> minutes each wheel, and it'd cost the usual £70 labour per hour).
>
> I wrote, politely (since it's not his problem), to the previous, who
> phoned back to explain that the locking key was given to the garage
> that sold the car onto me.
>
> That was the ammunition needed to stop the garage fobbing me off, and
> they produced a "magic box" of a variety of locking keys; 20 minutes
> later and I was back on the way home, key in hand.

Thanks to all who've replied. I phoned the previous owner yesterday but had 
to leave a message on his answering machine as he wasn't in. Hopefully 
that'll work but if not I'll get a set of McGards and take the car to my 
local tyre place for them to sort out.

Cheers folks,

John

"John" <x@y.z> wrote in message 
news:xqydnfxtSqeg_QjVnZ2dnUVZ8vSdnZ2d@bt.com...
> Mike Dodd wrote:
>> John wrote:
>>
>>> Which is likely to be the most cost effective method?
>>>
>>>
>> As Andy-Cap said - try the previous owner. That's what I did, in
>> exactly the same circumstance as yourself (after approaching
>> main-dealer, who, after much-sucking-of-teeth and talk of thoasands
>> of combos said that they usually can get wheel nuts off, about 20-30
>> minutes each wheel, and it'd cost the usual £70 labour per hour).
>>
>> I wrote, politely (since it's not his problem), to the previous, who
>> phoned back to explain that the locking key was given to the garage
>> that sold the car onto me.
>>
>> That was the ammunition needed to stop the garage fobbing me off, and
>> they produced a "magic box" of a variety of locking keys; 20 minutes
>> later and I was back on the way home, key in hand.
>
> Thanks to all who've replied. I phoned the previous owner yesterday but 
> had to leave a message on his answering machine as he wasn't in. Hopefully 
> that'll work but if not I'll get a set of McGards and take the car to my 
> local tyre place for them to sort out.

Do make sure you get the correct fitting. My VW/BBS OEM fit wheels are a 
spherical fit, but many aftermarket wheels are a taper fit (I'm talking 
about the flange below the bolt head here, not the thread) often people will 
send you the wrong bolts assuming you've gone for aftermarket wheels. Easy 
enough to check it out by pulling a non-locking wheel nut / bolt and looking 
at it.

Doki wrote:
> "John" <x@y.z> wrote in message
> news:xqydnfxtSqeg_QjVnZ2dnUVZ8vSdnZ2d@bt.com...
>> Mike Dodd wrote:
>>> John wrote:
>>>
>>>> Which is likely to be the most cost effective method?
>>>>
>>>>
>>> As Andy-Cap said - try the previous owner. That's what I did, in
>>> exactly the same circumstance as yourself (after approaching
>>> main-dealer, who, after much-sucking-of-teeth and talk of thoasands
>>> of combos said that they usually can get wheel nuts off, about 20-30
>>> minutes each wheel, and it'd cost the usual £70 labour per hour).
>>>
>>> I wrote, politely (since it's not his problem), to the previous, who
>>> phoned back to explain that the locking key was given to the garage
>>> that sold the car onto me.
>>>
>>> That was the ammunition needed to stop the garage fobbing me off,
>>> and they produced a "magic box" of a variety of locking keys; 20
>>> minutes later and I was back on the way home, key in hand.
>>
>> Thanks to all who've replied. I phoned the previous owner yesterday
>> but had to leave a message on his answering machine as he wasn't in.
>> Hopefully that'll work but if not I'll get a set of McGards and take
>> the car to my local tyre place for them to sort out.
>
> Do make sure you get the correct fitting. My VW/BBS OEM fit wheels
> are a spherical fit, but many aftermarket wheels are a taper fit (I'm
> talking about the flange below the bolt head here, not the thread)
> often people will send you the wrong bolts assuming you've gone for
> aftermarket wheels. Easy enough to check it out by pulling a
> non-locking wheel nut / bolt and looking at it.

Cheers Doki, will do.

On Sat, 02 Aug 2008 23:10:13 +0100, Peter Hill
 wrote:

>On Sat, 2 Aug 2008 17:16:37 +0100, Conor 
>wrote:
>
>>In article , John says...
>>> About 4 weeks ago I bought a secondhand Nissan QX and stupidly I've only 
>>> just realised that it has locking wheel nuts but there's no "key" socket for 
>>> them. Assuming that they're factory fitted (because they look *exactly* like 
>>> the ones on my old QX that I part-ex'd for this one), I went to Nissan main 
>>> stealers only to be told that they can't supply just the key socket and I 
>>> would need to get a full set - but that they don't specify one for that car 
>>> any longer.
>>> 
>>> Whatever I decide to do, I have to get the existing ones out so my question 
>>> is, given the range of tools and gadgets available to a mechanic in a 
>>> well-stocked workshop (main stealers or not) is there a quick and easy way 
>>> for a mechanic to get them off?
>>> 
>>Yeah. Most tyre fitting shops carry a set of special sockets to get 
>>them off. They're unusable afterwards but at least they're off.
>
>The sockets are inside out easy-outs with a corse helix, hammer on, be
>prepared to pay £20 for a new set if they crack one getting your nuts
>off.

A new set of nuts?  Ooh er, missus!

On Sat, 02 Aug 2008 15:35:17 +0100, Douglas Payne
 wrote:

>John wrote:
>> About 4 weeks ago I bought a secondhand Nissan QX and stupidly I've only 
>> just realised that it has locking wheel nuts but there's no "key" socket for 
>> them. Assuming that they're factory fitted (because they look *exactly* like 
>> the ones on my old QX that I part-ex'd for this one), I went to Nissan main 
>> stealers only to be told that they can't supply just the key socket and I 
>> would need to get a full set - but that they don't specify one for that car 
>> any longer.
>> 
>> Whatever I decide to do, I have to get the existing ones out so my question 
>> is, given the range of tools and gadgets available to a mechanic in a 
>> well-stocked workshop (main stealers or not) is there a quick and easy way 
>> for a mechanic to get them off?
>> 
>> The only other thing I could think of is that I've looked at Autotrader 
>> website and there are two QXs for sale in Manchester (about 35 miles from 
>> me) so, again assuming that because they look the same as my old ones, I 
>> could see if they would be willing to let me try their key-sockets on mine.
>> 
>> Which is likely to be the most cost effective method? 
>
>I recently lost the wheel key for an Audi after I went driving with the 
>key in the wheel.
>
>I phoned the parts desk at a dealer who said he had a complete set of 
>keys.  He said there are 20 or 30 different dealer fitted types.
>
>He let me take the car in and he removed the offending bolts for me.  I 
>bought a new set of locking bolts from stock for about £20.  He was 
>prepared to sell me a key for about £25 but I'd have had to order it.  I 
>don't hear of people stealing alloy wheels so often these days, so I 
>nearly just bought 4 plain bolts from a scrappy.
>
>£20.  Not my car.  Saved me a journey.  Proper job.  (c:
>
>I'm sure there are other ways of getting the bolts out.  The people at 
>Tyre fitting shops will have a technique no doubt.

I also needed a replacement wheel key for an Audi when the original
got rounded trying to get a wheel bolt off.  Went to the Audi dealer -
turned out there were only 12 or so possibilities for that model.  The
first one he tried worked.  A tenner including a spare wheel bolt.

On Sat, 2 Aug 2008 17:16:37 +0100, Conor 
wrote:

>In article , John says...
>> About 4 weeks ago I bought a secondhand Nissan QX and stupidly I've only 
>> just realised that it has locking wheel nuts but there's no "key" socket for 
>> them. Assuming that they're factory fitted (because they look *exactly* like 
>> the ones on my old QX that I part-ex'd for this one), I went to Nissan main 
>> stealers only to be told that they can't supply just the key socket and I 
>> would need to get a full set - but that they don't specify one for that car 
>> any longer.
>> 
>> Whatever I decide to do, I have to get the existing ones out so my question 
>> is, given the range of tools and gadgets available to a mechanic in a 
>> well-stocked workshop (main stealers or not) is there a quick and easy way 
>> for a mechanic to get them off?
>> 
>Yeah. Most tyre fitting shops carry a set of special sockets to get 
>them off. They're unusable afterwards but at least they're off.

If the "key" is on the inside rather than the outside of the wheel
bolt, you may still be able to use it.  When I had to get an
overtightened one off, it cost me 20 quid at a specialist tyre/wheel
place.  Basically, they use a gadget that bites into the outside of
the wheel bolt and turns it.