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Lost Keyed Lug Nut Socket - Removal Solution?

D

DPDISXR4Ti

Be Gentle I'm New Here
Joined
Apr 13, 2004
Messages
2
Location
New York
I'm still using a set of the factory "keyed" lug nuts that require the special socket (one for each wheel). As fate would have it, it's gone missing. I believe that McGard made these for Ford, and I've heard that they actually only used 7 different types of different keys. Anyone know if that's true? I figure that might increase my odds of finding a matching one at a junkyard.

Regardless, what sort of removal tool has anyone used to get these nuts off without the keyed socket? Will a "universal" removal tool for a 19mm lug do the job?

Thanks...
 
I've heard that you can still take em off, depending on the design of course, by taking a socket and hammering it on the lug. If that doesn't work, if the lugs stick out enough you could try vise grips... You could contact the manufacturer and get another key, or you could go and buy the same set over again...
 
you should be able to take it to Ford and have them match up your lug to the corerct socket and then they can order one for you. i know the GM dealer i worked for had a Master set of all the lug keys used by GM. i cant imagine Ford is any different.
 
striker2 said:
you should be able to take it to Ford and have them match up your lug to the corerct socket and then they can order one for you.
Click to expand...

Of course, that presumes that they did only use a limited number of keys. I'm pretty sure they're not going to have a set of 500 that they'll want to spend an hour trying out! ;)

Can anyone measure the exact diameter of the keyed lug nut? I don't have the car here or I'd simply do that myself.

Thanks...
 
DPDISXR4Ti said:
Of course, that presumes that they did only use a limited number of keys. I'm pretty sure they're not going to have a set of 500 that they'll want to spend an hour trying out! ;)
Click to expand...

Thats what I did, took my 94 Ford Probe the the local dealership and said that I lost the key for the locking lugs. They asked for the year, make and model. They brought out a plastic container with about 7 keys and tried each one till they found the right one. Took all the locking lugs off for me free of charge. I did end up buying a key from them for about $10.00 before I left so I could still use the locking lugs.
 
An air chisel risks pounding your stud through and loosening it from the hub. As well, its not great for the bearings! The easiest method the shops use is to hammer on an impact socket that is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the lug nut (make sure its a hardened impact socket, the chromies will just give you more headaches!). But, you may need a thin wall socket depending on your wheels. If the lugs were properly torqued, they should come off no problem with this method. I had to have some removed a couple times, once this way, and once they tried using the chisel, and I ended up replacing studs.
If you have insurance on your car, don't bother putting them on again! IMO, if a thief wants your rims, they are going to get them, they know all the tricks anyways!
Good luck! :cool:
 
Last edited:
Right, I wouldn't recommend an air chiesel either, I'm just letting him know that I have seen it done. Tears up the lugnuts too.
 
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