zmatrix

ok I was at a my friend's mechanic shop to adjust the ride height of my Tein CS. I currently have two locks on there, gorilla ones and the one from the stock chrome that the factory installed.

After taking off the gorilla lock, my friend tried to take off the stock lock and could not get it to budge with his impact wrench. he sprayed a little WD40 and waited. Came back later after 10 mins and proceeded to unlock the nut and then the worse happened, the key broke!!!

Whoever installed my tires on must of overtightened the nut on the wheel so now, I was wondering where I can get a spare key or even another method for removing the lock. Thanks for any help.

GS4Will

hmmm. i thought you can not use stock locks with aftermarket rims>??

LS4fun

There is a special tool that is available for removing key locks. (how else do you think thiefs remove your wheels). Its a tapered socket with teeth that is placed and hammered to grip over the lock lug you are trying to remove.

I had this done before to the four wheels on my car when i lost the lock key. It took the mechanic about three minutes to remove all four locks!!!!!

Wald GS

iTrader: (1)

I met with zmatrix today and the lock is basically broken. The @ (key) now looks like this &. heheh

GS4Will

Z..sorry could not talk to you at length today

LS4fun

Did you take it off?

zmatrix

hey GS4Will no problem...you were busy and I appreciate you taking my call nonetheless.

SouthernSunGS, that's a pretty good way of describing it.

I went to the dealership yesterday and guess what I found out...the parts guy told me that there are around 20 keys. That means that for every one key we have, it will unlock 1 in 20 lexus vehicles. That's pretty scary to think. But here's the kicker, when the guy took out his master set, it only had 10 keys. He fiddled around and found the right one and just told me the part number. So to me, it seems like there are 10 KEYS only. So basically the lock wasnt in stock - I had to order it.

GS4fun, thanks for informing me about that special tool. I think I will have my friend who is a mechanic order it and remove it that way. I don't think I want to waste my money busting up another lock. My mechanic buddy told me that are portable pneumatic guns that are powerful, runs on 14.4V, and from what you said about rimjackers, I am sure that's how they are doing it.

Sleepyboi

iTrader: (4)

yea i think the tool that GS4Fun is describing is called a "gator" socket. It works juss how GS4Fun described. I actually lossed my wheel lock awhile ago and juss ripped it off too and it looks like this....

Brandon@TR

This is a good time to post a reminder for everyone to fill out their McGard registration post card that comes with every new Lexus. This keeps your key # on file with McGard and in most cases they can overnight you the correct replacement key. They even have an 800 # set up only to handle these calls for broken/lost lock keys.

McGard Keys 800.669.6887

Wald GS

iTrader: (1)

Good point Brandon. I better do that now.

SC400MAN

iTrader: (1)

I just had to order a new lock and locking lug nut for my Supra. The guys who put on new tires tightened the lugs with an air wrench and I could not get the lock off. Partly, I guess since I was using the factory "L" shaped lug wrench. In addition, the tire guys went through the motions, after the impact wrench, of checking with a torque wrench, while I watched. All for nothing! I damaged the key and the lug enough that they wouldn't work. I ordered a new key and lug from McGard and received it in about a week. The dealer may have veen able to get it off, but i didn't have a flat and had time to wait for the new ones. Cost was about $16 and quick. Solved my problem.

So, be sure you have sent in the registration card!

JB

SC300Es

You or anyone should never use an impact wrench to loosen or tighten the wheel lug nuts.

1) You either tighten them too much and when you try to remove them, end up breaking the lugs,
2) You tighten them too little and drive around with loose lugs.

I remember years ago, driving around, kept hearing this funny noise. Stepped out of the car and realized I had lost two lug nuts from my left rear. I had gotten a tire change two days earlier. I almost lost my wheel while driving.

Now, after everytime a tire shop does my wheels I get my car, take out my wrench and check each tire..it only takes five minutes at most..

You can also take a regular socket and hammer it on the wheel lock the same way you do with the special tool.

Also, if I remember correctly, some mechanics even have keys that fit different manufacturer's door locks too.

Wald GS

iTrader: (1)

This reminds me of the movie changing lanes.. hehe