Locking Nut Problem

[alaza 1]

So recently brought a car, and found out it had these cheap nasty china made locking nuts, so i used the locking nut key, after doing two bolts, the key thread is stripped.

was wondering if anyone got a key for it? just trying my luck

[Phil-540i 166]

Hi - you got this sorted yet??

[alaza 1]

ALL sorted by using a 20mm socket bashed into the bolts and took it out

[Phil-540i 166]

Ahh good, was gonna give ya some suggestions otherwise. Nice that a bit of brute force & 'pass me a bigger hammer' has worked - you might want to chuck those cheapies over your shoulder now & get some decent ones.......

[740i_Lou 5]

Just a quick thread hijack. I have a similar problem.

I bought a 7 series on the weekend and have gone to take a wheel off to sort a squeeky brake to find that it has lock nuts but I have no key.

I dont really want to brake my socket set or make the nut harder to remove.

Is doing that way the best/easiest method?

[gjm 3258]

If you have AA or similar cover, it's worth giving them a call.

If not, it is possible to buy 'keys' for locking nuts, but it'll probably be cheaper to buy another suitably-sized socket.

[Eagle 1662]

Assuming they BMW locknuts and you want to keep them a new key should be around mid $20 at a dealer.

[740i_Lou 5]

I'm not too fussed on keeping them. I just want to sort the squeel out as its driving me nuts.

I do have roadside assistance with state. Is it worth ringing them?

[elmarco 56]

The last key i got from team mcmillan was around $16 from memory. Just take the car into the parts guys & they will have a full set to try one at a time.

[Phil-540i 166]

Just a quick thread hijack. I have a similar problem.

I bought a 7 series on the weekend and have gone to take a wheel off to sort a squeeky brake to find that it has lock nuts but I have no key.

I dont really want to brake my socket set or make the nut harder to remove.

Is doing that way the best/easiest method?

Chuck up a pic of the offending item maybe?? Theres various ways to remove them if the correct nut is not available - you've just got to find the easiest solution, which will depend on what type of rims / what type of lock nut it is, & how much clearance you've got.......

Have you rang previous owner re lock key?? Have you had a REALLY good look, three times, all around the car for the lock key, in both logical & illogical places........??? Like, the toolkit, spare wheel well, glove box, consoul, under seats, etc etc........stashed in first aid kit if its got one, is another likely place.......

[740i_Lou 5]

Yeah stripped the car looking.

I might take it into BMW tomorrow. They are only up the road.

Hopefully they can sort it.

[740i_Lou 5]

Called into Coombes BMW on the way home. Figured it out in a couple of seconds and had the right one on hand.

[Phil-540i 166]

Primo - great result, & simple............

[qube 3570]

If I'm not mistaken, there are a hundred and something "bmw" lock nuts and keys. Last time I went into team mc millan they told me it's gonna be ages to find the right one. And I was a bit rushed so I left it for another day. Then I tried my lock key from another bmw I had at the time and it worked.. Now what are the chances of having two cars both with the same locknut/key?! Haha..

[740i_Lou 5]

I think you may be mistaken.

When I told the service guy I needed one I only said it was a 7 series.

He bought out a tray with maybe 30 keys. Pulled out the one labeled E38 and it fitted perfectly.

He double checked it wasn't one that looked similar but that was too loose.

[Phil-540i 166]

So technically, its not really that hard for the Midnight spares boyz to be grabbing a set of rims off a 7 series then ae

Heres a wee hint - if you like the rims your car has got on it, probably be a great idea to get some good quality aftermarket lock nuts for it - not BMW ones........