Locking Wheel Nut Problem

[james green]

Hi, had a customer in earlier in a BMW. They needed new pads so we quoted them up and the customer agreed to have the work done. When trying to remove the wheels the key snapped inside the locking wheel nut due to them being so tight, and now the customer is demanding that we fix the problem.
Anyone know how to get these off? They are the new shape flower pattern with the rotating collar.

Thanks in advance.

 

[csi123]

In case you aren't aware, European cars use bolts, not nuts, so you can drill them out.

 

[james green]

Thanks for the reply. I think i will have to take it to a local garage and get them to drill them then.

 

[BillK]

Not sure how those particular ones are made but could you weld a nut onto the end of it then use a regular socket ?

Not sure why you should be responsible unless someone was using a giant impact wrench on it. If it wouldn't come loose with normal tools I would have stopped and called the customer and let him know and also tell him there could be additional charges.

 

[james green]

Not sure how those particular ones are made but could you weld a nut onto the end of it then use a regular socket ?

Not sure why you should be responsible unless someone was using a giant impact wrench on it. If it wouldn't come loose with normal tools I would have stopped and called the customer and let him know and also tell him there could be additional charges.

To be honest i don't want to try welding them as they are quite deep inside the wheel. The customer will only kick up more of a fuss if we cause damage. It was just a standard breaker bar used and it snapped with virtually no pressure as all. She's a regular customer so i said i will sort it out for her.

 

[james green]

So it seems like drilling them out is a long process. Spoke to a local place who said they did it once and it took over 1 hour each bolt?

 

[james green]

Looks like i may have to try welding them and then get a refurb done after if there is damage. I can't believe such a small bolt can cause such a big problem.

 

[ManOnTheCouch]

The flower shaped ones are tough to deal with. You can start by getting another key for the other wheel bolts. I've had luck on the other style BMW wheel bolts where they have a post in the middle with chiseling out the post and hammering a 12 point torx socket into the hole, but that wouldn't work with the flower style.

 

[rsanter]

Use a carbide die grinder bit in a drill.
They make then that look like they are a 90degree chambering bit.
They go through even hard metal like butter
Center punch first so it does not wander, then drill away

 

[rsanter]

If you weld it, you can slip a sheet metal sleeve around the lug not to protect the wheel. Insert in the largest nut you can and fill the center of the nut with weld.
You may even drill the center of the nut out a little to open it up

 

[Kaizen]

Can’t you use a small cutoff wheel to make a groove and then use a screwdriver and large vice grips?


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[james green]

If you weld it, you can slip a sheet metal sleeve around the lug not to protect the wheel. Insert in the largest nut you can and fill the center of the nut with weld.
You may even drill the center of the nut out a little to open it up

Hi, thank you for your reply. I did try welding it but the locking wheel nuts are difficult to reach with a mig due to how deep and narrow the bolt holes are. i managed to get a small weld on it but it just snapped due to how tight they are. I have booked in these people tomorrow who said they will come and take them off first thing in the morning for me. Apparently they guarantee removal http://www.lockingwheelnutremovers.co.uk. I will update you tomorrow when they arrive. They seem to have been put extremely tight previously.

 

[james green]

Can’t you use a small cutoff wheel to make a groove and then use a screwdriver and large vice grips?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't think a cut off wheel would fit inside the hole, its extremely narrow and recessed.

 

[brownbagg]

go buy some cheap socket , the cheaper the better, drive one over the nut, wedge that sucker on it, and then turn it loose.Might have to do a couple times, if the socket splits, its works better

 

[james green]

go buy some cheap socket , the cheaper the better, drive one over the nut, wedge that sucker on it, and then turn it loose.Might have to do a couple times, if the socket splits, its works better

These BMW ones have a rotating collar so the old smash a socket on trick doesn't work on these.

 

[joey1320]

If it's a BMW locking lugbolt, not an aftermarket one, it will be a two piece design. There is a special tool kit that separates the two letting you use a 12pt/star bit on the inner piece. You pretty much pull off the locking portion from the inner spline.

Works phenomenally!

http://www.agatools.com/tool/wheel-lock-removal-tool/kit

 

[ford33]

I know you said she is a good customer but maybe it is time to tell her you can't do this work without causing more damage. Perhaps being open with her is the best policy. Send her to BMW for a tire rotation and pay for that and then back to you for that brake job.

 

[Mick56]

 

[james green]

If it's a BMW locking lugbolt, not an aftermarket one, it will be a two piece design. There is a special tool kit that separates the two letting you use a 12pt/star bit on the inner piece. You pretty much pull off the locking portion from the inner spline.

Works phenomenally!

http://www.agatools.com/tool/wheel-lock-removal-tool/kit

Wow! That tool looks amazing! Wish i had seen this yesterday. It doesn't appear you can buy it over here in the UK though, seems like its just a US thing.

 

[james green]

I know you said she is a good customer but maybe it is time to tell her you can't do this work without causing more damage. Perhaps being open with her is the best policy. Send her to BMW for a tire rotation and pay for that and then back to you for that brake job.

Yeah, i mean next time i run into this i will definitely not be telling the customer we will sort it.
Since i said i will sort it i kind of feel obliged to now.

Anyway chaps, that company turns up this morning at 9am as promised. 10 minutes later he walks over to me with all four in this hand
I am absolutely stunned at how quickly they were off
I did ask what tools he uses and he stated that he makes all his tools at his workshop.
If anyone is in the London area (he also said he covers the whole of the SE of England) then this chap is your man, his company is called Locking Wheel Nut Removal London and he guarantees removal even when damaged

 

[james green]

Unfortunately it is not that style, them ones come off quite easily as long as there is space around them for a socket.
Its the newer type that now have a rotating collar on them to stop people from doing exactly this.

 

[joey1320]

Glad you got it sorted it out.
How much did it cost you in the end?

 

[HoosierBuddy]

That collar removal link previously posted had a separate link to their European distributor a the bottom of the page.

Glad you got it out.

Phil

 

[james green]

Glad you got it sorted it out.
How much did it cost you in the end?

He done all four including the one i tried to weld for £100. And that was for him to come out to me, so not bad at all to be honest.

 

[joey1320]

Not bad. ***** it ate into the brake job profits but at least you got it done.