Lug Nut key hit the road.

[Spike188]

The key to the locking lug nuts was missing following a road test when changing to winter tires months ago. Probably after torqueing to specification, the key may have stuck to a lug nut. It probably launched into a ditch during the test drive. A slow drive while eyeing the roadway and surroundings proved to be useless.

After months of procrastination, and researching on YouTube, two different sets of nut extractors were purchased.
Because the locking nuts have a rotating guard around them, neither of the extractors would remove them.
Following several days of cold weather we caught a warm spell, which I took advantage of. Before attempting to weld the ground cable was attached directly to the wheel to be worked on. This would eliminate any potential of weld current damage to that wheel bearing. My usual method of laying a nut over a broken stud did not work due to gassing.

Stitch welding in open air allowed the contaminated material to blow off and created a nice base over the end of the locking lug nut.

An 1-1/8" nut was chosen to give optimum clearance for mig welding it to the lock nut. The ground cable was moved to the other 3 wheels and the process was repeated and allowed to cool for about 20 minutes each.

This method turned out to be simple and cheap. 4 new nonlocking nuts replaced the locking nuts, with an added bonus of being able to do tire changes without needing to hunt down the key.

[Eugen]

Good save @Spike188 ! I never liked those safety nuts. Good riddance! People steal stuff from cars around here, but so far nobody has said anything about stolen wheels. Mind you, the moment I said it doesn't happen watch me come back in a few days saying it just happened.

[DavidBarkey]

Nothing a mechanic more that wheel locks .

Car is on the hoist . Where the key .

The key stripped/broken.

Being accused of not giving it back to customer . After a few time of this I put it in the customers hand or taped to the steering wheel and forced them to put it away .

If a thief really want you wheels now a day they will just take the car . Push button starters have made it easier than ever if you leave your key fob with in 10 foot of the door . Wheel locks do not help from kids loosening the lugs with only one per wheel , it not holding it on .

You are better of without them.
Thats my rant on that .

[JSinMO]

I agree with Mr. Dave, locking lug nuts belong in the trash can!
@Spike188 im glad you got them off without too much trouble. You won’t have that problem to deal with anymore.

[RoamingGnome]

Good job on the save @Spike188! To add to all the other comments - lock nuts are a PITA when you can't find them - especially if you are on the side of the road with a flat tire, I remember news stories of commuters getting off the GO train in the evening and finding their car sitting on blocks because some low life made a fast buck taking their tires and rims. Of course now they'd probably just sawsall your catalytic converter - more $$ for much less work.

[Spike188]

@RoamingGnome you mentioned catalytic converter theft.

Around here thieves think the converters are worth more than the complete Dodge, flipping 8 of.them at a gravel pit.

.https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/mobile/thi ... -1.6266984

[RoamingGnome]

Saw that news story about the trucks being flipped over in the quarry - one disadvantage of universal machine keys for heavy equipment - as long as you have the right one you can operate just about anything in the yard. It's only been the last few years that manufacturers started including a security code you have to enter before starting the engine on some of the newer, more electronic machines...

[JSinMO]

@RoamingGnome you mentioned catalytic converter theft. image.png
Around here thieves think the converters are worth more than the complete Dodge, flipping 8 of.them at a gravel pit.

.https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/mobile/thi ... -1.6266984

Good grief! I think those guys might benefit from a good talking to with a nice hickory ax handle.