HELP!!!???? Wheel Locks????

[richsvo]

Okay, so I was going to start doing some polishing on my wheels, to see how it goes last night...and then it happened! The little "wrench thingy" for the wheel locks broke!

So, my question is this...What do ya'll advise that I do? I now cannot remove my wheels, because the little "flower" looking part inside the wrench has busted off. (can't find it either, by the way)

I need some advise here, and I am at a loss? Can I buy another kit somewhere with the same wrench? (I know that I have seen them that look similar, but something tells me that won't work)

Help, please...open to suggestions!



Rich

[SVOeric]

you have a couple of options...

1
You can go to a local tire shop, they usually have a tool to remove these..-- they usually only charge about $20 bucks

2
Find youself about a 24mm (if I remember correctly) 12 point socket that you don't mind to break, (or has a lifetime warranty )
drive it on the lock with a hammer, and then use a breaker bar to get it off...
Be careful when driving it on, and don't hit the face of the wheel!!!


As far as after you have them off--- I would replace them with regular svo lugnuts... who's going to steal svo wheels anyway

[svoman2300]

If memory serves me correctly there is a card that comes with the wheel locks with a number on it so you can order another key.I know I haven't seen mine in years but some tire shops have a socket that they hammer on the lock so they can remove ones with lost keys but I don't know if it will fit in the recessed hole in the wheel.

[SVOeric]

oh yea.. the locks are made by mcguard, -- as i recall, if you have the little sticker that came with the car, down next to the spare tire, you can call them, and order a replacment key...

Also -- the keys are suposedly different for every car, that is why you need that little number...

[NY eric]

I feel your pain

I just wen through this. MCGuard will fix your key if you have the peices but if not you are S.O.L. They do not make this style of lug nut any more and will not entertain the idea at all. I think the lady I spoke to was disgruntled. Take it from me. no one wants SVO wheels except for fellow SVO owners so go find a set of 4 used lugs and call it a day. BTW most shops have wheel lock removers. Not a big deal. If you want to do it yoursdelf get a socket about the same size as the lug and line it with sandpaper and go to town(it helps to have an impac wrench).

Good luck

[richsvo]

Eric,

Thanks for the response!

Couple of questions:

1. Any idea where the best place to get those lug nuts is? I'd to replace them all anyway

2. What you are saying is to use a socket that is slightly smaller, so that it will drive on with a hammer, and bind up, right?

Thanks, again,

Rich

[NY eric]

good question

I purchased several sets from ebay. I have called McGuard to try to get them, no luck. I havent tried ford though. The socket needs to be close in size so when you fill it with sandpaper it binds on the lug. But like I said a decent garage will have the locks off in about 4 sec. Locks are only good to keep some of the kids away. When i steel rims I take my trusty sockets and paper and 12v impac wrench with me.

[johnbasler]

check with your local Ford dealer...

Back in '95 or so, a jackass that was mounting tires on my '86 SVO used a impact turned up to max PSI to tighten my lugs. In the process, my lock key broke the same way yours did.

What I ended up doing was going to my local Ford dealer, who had a complete set of ALL the McGard keys in their service department, colorcoded just like ours. They let me borrow the right one to remove my locks and then I was able to replace the locks and lugs later. At that point, you could still buy the keys from the parts counter at Ford, but since that was 8 years ago, not sure if you still can.

Good luck,
John

[NY eric]

Checked with ford for ya

My parts guy who normally can find most obsolete parts laughed at me at this request. He called back a few min later and said no dice. They also discarded the old keys about 4 years ago (according to him). he said if you had someone who was realy bored they could go through the vin # and then sort all records looking for your key code but he thinks you would have a better chance finding jimmy hoffa. Sory If I see any for sale I will PM you.

Eric

[SVO4PWR2]

[gbeaird]

The lug nuts are obsoleted by Ford. McGuard says Ford has the license to make the lug nuts, so can't (won't) make them. Ford says the lug nuts are obsoleted. Are you beginning to detect a trend here?

Find something that looks similar and fits the studs and wheels. Get 20 of them and put your factory lug nuts in your spare SVO parts storage.

Gene Beaird
86 2R SVO, G Stock
Pearland, Texas

[thebeast]

Oreilly and Autozone sell a tool that is basicly a socket with teeth inside just for this. It works really good.