General * SOB * Total Fail on winter Tyre Change

[lljkk]

3.5yo Fiat 500 Lounge. I went to put winter wheels+tyres on today. Rear right replaced, fine.

Rear left, could not get the locking nut off. Kept trying for 25 minutes, just won't budge. Same with front left wheel. Found I couldn't swap the rear right back, either. Maybe the edges have gone on the locking key (does that happen easily??)

So now I have 3 summer alloy wheel-tyres + one winter wheel-tyre & I can't get any wheels off.

:bang:

What would you do? Assuming I have to ask a garage to remove the little F---ers, how risky would it be to replace the locking nut with regular easy-remove wheel nuts to avoid this happening again? People tend not to lock their bicycles or front doors around here. Any other ideas how I can get the sodding locking nuts off myself without paying garage do it?

Thx.

 

[RussH]

Brute strength and ignorance has worked for me in the past.

Go get an impact socket which is just a little bit too small. Bash it on with a big hammer and then use an impact driver. The ones you hit with a hammer whilst turning them.

Or just take it to a local tyre fitter place, they will be used to this and will probably do the same as above in exchange for a few quid in cash.

 

[jrkitching]

What would you do?

Use any means necessary to remove the locking wheel bolts & replace them with the regular sort.

Also most roadside repair mechanics have the tools needed to remove locking wheel bolts without the proper key.

At least they're bolts, not nuts - so you don't have to worry about damaging the wheel studs when removing them.

This thread reminds me why I keep my wheel bolts greased, and tighten to 2/3 of the manufacturers torque settings for dry bolts.

 

[Sweetsixteen]

If they are the usual 'one-off' locking pattern, then an undersize socket won't work of course.
But ... I've succeeded before by loosening the other three bolts on the wheel, then (in my own driveway!) driven the car a yard or two, forwards and in reverse, and stamped on the brakes. Repeated several times, then the offending bolt was able to be undone - if that explanation makes sense.

 

[lljkk]

Cor, blimey, that sounds clever (the drive brake back and forth thing). I bet the whole wheel would just fall off for me, though.

I think I will pay a visit to tyre changers tomorrow, I'm too much of a wimp to take any more aggro.

Thx for replies.

 

[dave]

was you using a good wheel brace or just the crap thing that comes with the car?

 

[lljkk]

Just the crap thing that comes with the car.
Husband managed to do both right wheels but neither left wheels, reckons the locking key (right name?) has worn out.
Will ring indie but Kwik-fit type place tomorrow to see what they can do for what price.
Regular bolts still easy enough to do up or undo, just can't budge the special locking ones.
Spoke to someone who knows someone who has only winter fronts (interesting idea?!).

Thx for moral support. Am not truly a proper car person (and it Shows).

 

[jrkitching]

Spoke to someone who knows someone who has only winter fronts (interesting idea?!).

Dangerous idea, more like :nono:.

You should never drive with more grip on the front than the rear or you'll likely lose control the first time you take a corner in anger.

It's the reason you should always put your best tyres on the back.

 

[dave]

Just the crap thing that comes with the car.
Husband managed to do both right wheels but neither left wheels, reckons the locking key (right name?) has worn out.
Will ring indie but Kwik-fit type place tomorrow to see what they can do for what price.
Regular bolts still easy enough to do up or undo, just can't budge the special locking ones.
Spoke to someone who knows someone who has only winter fronts (interesting idea?!).

Thx for moral support. Am not truly a proper car person (and it Shows).

try a better tool, its hard to get a good press and turn at the same time with them tools that come with the car, I prefer a breaker bar and 6 sided socket.

 

[Sweetsixteen]

try a better tool, its hard to get a good press and turn at the same time with them tools that come with the car, I prefer a breaker bar and 6 sided socket.

If, as seems the case, it is the locking nut that needs freeing, a normal socket will not do the job.

 

[dave]

If, as seems the case, it is the locking nut that needs freeing, a normal socket will not do the job.

why not? i mean to turn the key not instead of the key

 

[Sweetsixteen]

why not? i mean to turn the key not instead of the key

Gotcha!

 

[lljkk]

thx 4 replies. UPDATE:
Tyre-change-man charged £5 for 2 minute job of getting lock-bolts out & putting regular bolts in, the 2 wheels I couldn't do myself. With power tools the job was a doddle. (massive envy emoticon)

 

[dave]

i hope they didnt do up the new bolts with a power tool?