locking lugs no key???????
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Washington State
locking lugs no key???????
I bought my 74 4x4 last spring and now that I'm starting to work on it, the bonehead that use to own it lost the lock for the lugs they are the turbine type of wheels. I bought some special sockets that are for this purpose but there is not enough meat to grab the lock so those are useless I can't drive it to a tire shop because i need to mount my steering box etc hence taking the tire off. I took an air hammer to one of the locks to see what would happen,it peeled the middle of the lock away and I could see a clearshot to the stud. Could I use a bar and a bfh and hit the stud through the other side??? I could weld a lugnut on but don't want to get splatter and stuff over the nice wheels. anyone ever had to deal with this????
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 640
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From: US/Baja border
I'm assuming here that you knocked the tip off of the nut and can see the lug bolt, you may be able to knock it through but this is some pretty hard steel, You need to take a look and see what's behind it and if there's enough room and I don't think there is, can you cover up the rim and weld a nut to it? These nuts are usaually not on that tight but then you may have one of the exceptions.
Also if you go with the welding the nut on idea see if you can find one big enough to go over the bad nut, then take a piece of cardboard big enough to cover your rim and wet it placing it over your rim with a hole in it where you can tack on the nut, you won't be doing much welding so this should protect your rim and get you going.
Also if you go with the welding the nut on idea see if you can find one big enough to go over the bad nut, then take a piece of cardboard big enough to cover your rim and wet it placing it over your rim with a hole in it where you can tack on the nut, you won't be doing much welding so this should protect your rim and get you going.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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If you still have 3 more to do.Chances are it's a mcgard lock.their website is http://www.mcgard.com/custserv/tech_support.asp If u have a dig camera take a pic of one and send it to them after u call them.A new key is 14.00 shipped.Also did you try the glove box and tire rod for the key.I went through the same deal.Bought a trk with no key to the locks GOOD LUCK
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by 78f250supercab
If you still have 3 more to do.Chances are it's a mcgard lock.their website is http://www.mcgard.com/custserv/tech_support.asp If u have a dig camera take a pic of one and send it to them after u call them.A new key is 14.00 shipped.Also did you try the glove box and tire rod for the key.I went through the same deal.Bought a trk with no key to the locks GOOD LUCK
Factory installed: The special key to remove the lug nuts is attached to the lug wrench by a small wire chain.
Look in the glovebox or owners manual (if it's there) for a 3" x 3" card with the code number for the replacement key. There were 9 different ones originally.
EDIT: The wheels pictured in your photo gallery are NOT Genuine Ford wheels, they are aftermarket.
Ford didn't offer styled steel or aluminum wheels till 1977, and they didn't look at all like these. AFAIK, thru 1997, Ford never offered this style of wheel on anything.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
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Wow, this is as easy as it gets. Take the cheapest spark plug socket you can find (13/16") and pound it over the lug nut using a hammer. It will be tight, and with a few good whacks, it will fit tight enough to allow the use of an impact to remove the lug nut.
Once removed, you can pound out the lug nut from the socket, and do it all over again. Use a cheap socket, (or a very expensive one, Snap-on or equal for replacement purposes.) as this process will ruin it.
I have never met a lug nut (even one that is almost round) that I could not remove with this method.
This is kind of why I do not even use locking lug nuts. SUre they keep honest people away, but someone that wants to actually steal my wheels can do so,, even if I have locking nuts on all eight lugs.
Welding something to the nut only damages the wheel.
Try an old socket, and laugh a little when you see how effective this really is.
Oh yeah, with my method, the lock will still be usable, in the event that you later find the key.
Once removed, you can pound out the lug nut from the socket, and do it all over again. Use a cheap socket, (or a very expensive one, Snap-on or equal for replacement purposes.) as this process will ruin it.
I have never met a lug nut (even one that is almost round) that I could not remove with this method.
This is kind of why I do not even use locking lug nuts. SUre they keep honest people away, but someone that wants to actually steal my wheels can do so,, even if I have locking nuts on all eight lugs.
Welding something to the nut only damages the wheel.
Try an old socket, and laugh a little when you see how effective this really is.
Oh yeah, with my method, the lock will still be usable, in the event that you later find the key.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 640
Likes: 1
From: US/Baja border
Originally Posted by 75F350
Wow, this is as easy as it gets. Take the cheapest spark plug socket you can find (13/16") and pound it over the lug nut using a hammer. It will be tight, and with a few good whacks, it will fit tight enough to allow the use of an impact to remove the lug nut.
Once removed, you can pound out the lug nut from the socket, and do it all over again. Use a cheap socket, (or a very expensive one, Snap-on or equal for replacement purposes.) as this process will ruin it.
I have never met a lug nut (even one that is almost round) that I could not remove with this method.
This is kind of why I do not even use locking lug nuts. SUre they keep honest people away, but someone that wants to actually steal my wheels can do so,, even if I have locking nuts on all eight lugs.
Welding something to the nut only damages the wheel.
Try an old socket, and laugh a little when you see how effective this really is.
Oh yeah, with my method, the lock will still be usable, in the event that you later find the key.
Once removed, you can pound out the lug nut from the socket, and do it all over again. Use a cheap socket, (or a very expensive one, Snap-on or equal for replacement purposes.) as this process will ruin it.
I have never met a lug nut (even one that is almost round) that I could not remove with this method.
This is kind of why I do not even use locking lug nuts. SUre they keep honest people away, but someone that wants to actually steal my wheels can do so,, even if I have locking nuts on all eight lugs.
Welding something to the nut only damages the wheel.
Try an old socket, and laugh a little when you see how effective this really is.
Oh yeah, with my method, the lock will still be usable, in the event that you later find the key.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: In the Middle
Originally Posted by 75F350
Wow, this is as easy as it gets. Take the cheapest spark plug socket you can find (13/16") and pound it over the lug nut using a hammer. It will be tight, and with a few good whacks, it will fit tight enough to allow the use of an impact to remove the lug nut.
Once removed, you can pound out the lug nut from the socket, and do it all over again. Use a cheap socket, (or a very expensive one, Snap-on or equal for replacement purposes.) as this process will ruin it.
I have never met a lug nut (even one that is almost round) that I could not remove with this method.
This is kind of why I do not even use locking lug nuts. SUre they keep honest people away, but someone that wants to actually steal my wheels can do so,, even if I have locking nuts on all eight lugs.
Welding something to the nut only damages the wheel.
Try an old socket, and laugh a little when you see how effective this really is.
Oh yeah, with my method, the lock will still be usable, in the event that you later find the key.
Once removed, you can pound out the lug nut from the socket, and do it all over again. Use a cheap socket, (or a very expensive one, Snap-on or equal for replacement purposes.) as this process will ruin it.
I have never met a lug nut (even one that is almost round) that I could not remove with this method.
This is kind of why I do not even use locking lug nuts. SUre they keep honest people away, but someone that wants to actually steal my wheels can do so,, even if I have locking nuts on all eight lugs.
Welding something to the nut only damages the wheel.
Try an old socket, and laugh a little when you see how effective this really is.
Oh yeah, with my method, the lock will still be usable, in the event that you later find the key.
.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Colorful Colorado
I had the same deal...since my other lugs were rusted out already, I welded another lug on top of the locked lug and it spun right off...easy breezy...just another option for you!
Good luck
~grizz
Good luck
~grizz
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,073
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I also know of the "socket "trick but it depends on the contour of the lock some are very smooth or round.Ya pretty much got -one- shot at it and if the locks cranked dwn ya wanna "shock it" quick fast shot of air.I think just cracking the lock head with a air chisel is the easiest.I suggested going for the key which would be the optimal way to get them off,because I don'tknow the OP skill level or tools at their disposal
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Washington State
thanx for all the replies!!Well I tried the socket dealeo no luck The 13/16 will not go on over the lug at all hammer or no, and 7/8 is to big ,fits snug but not enough to bite. Looks like it will be weld a nut to the top of the locking lug time.If I wasn't in such a hurry I would send a photo and try to get a key(great Idea) These locks are round and smooth and a PITA
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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Originally Posted by 9d4
thanx for all the replies!!Well I tried the socket dealeo no luck The 13/16 will not go on over the lug at all hammer or no, and 7/8 is to big ,fits snug but not enough to bite. Looks like it will be weld a nut to the top of the locking lug time.If I wasn't in such a hurry I would send a photo and try to get a key(great Idea) These locks are round and smooth and a PITA
