They make great theft deterrents, until you realize you've misplaced your key. Here's how to solve the problem of locking lug nuts with missing keys.
How to Remove a Locking Lug Nut Without the Key
Updated on Apr. 28, 2023
Locking lug nuts have been around since the 1960s, but I remember when they started getting particularly popular in the ’80s. I was in high school, and my friend loved to show off his fancy rims. His locking lug nuts seemed particularly cool, too, until one day we got a flat and he realized he didn’t have the key to them.
If you’ve found yourself in a similar predicament, the good news is that there are a couple of relatively simple and affordable solutions — plus a few others you definitely want to avoid. Here’s what to know about how to remove a locking lug nut without a key.
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What Is a Locking Lug Nut
A locking lug nut requires a special tool, called a key, to remove (unlike standard lug nuts, which can be removed with a regular tire iron). Locking lug nuts are designed to prevent wheels from getting stolen. Typically, just one lug nut on a wheel will be locking, and the rest will be standard. Each set of locking nuts usually comes with a key, or a socket, to fit its specific pattern.
“If the car was bought new with these, then the special tool is normally in the glove box or with the spare tire tools,” says Chris “Moose” Pyle, an auto expert with JustAnswer.com.
How Do I Know If I Have Locking Lug Nuts?
Look at your wheels. If one lug nut looks different than the rest, then that’s a locking lug nut. Locking lug nuts typically have an irregular pattern or grooves, versus standard lug nuts, which have a simple, uniform shape.
“Do not assume you have them based on car paperwork,” says Pyle. “They could have been removed and replaced with standard lug nuts.”
How to Remove a Locking Lug Nut Without the Key
Luckily, this can be a relatively simple task. “I can remove a locking lug nut without the special key in about one minute,” says Pyle. “All you need is a $20 bolt extractor kit, a large ratchet and a socket set.”
To use this method:
- Place the extractor so that it’s gripping the sides of the locking lug nut.
- Put the socket on the extractor.
- Connect the ratchet to the socket (if those pieces come separately in the kit).
- Twist it off like a normal nut.
If you don’t want to buy a kit, a snug-fitting socket will function the same way, says JuliAnna Howes, owner of Southwest Auto. To use that method:
- Find a socket that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the locking lug nut.
- Hammer the socket onto the nut until it is stuck in place.
- Use a breaker bar or impact wrench to turn the socket and remove the nut.
“It is important to note that both options can, and likely will, damage both the socket and lug nut,” says Howes.
A third option is to weld a regular nut or bolt to the locking lug nut. “Because this method requires welding and, consequently, heat, the wheel can also be damaged if not done carefully and correctly,” says Howes. “If all else fails, leave it to the professionals! Repair facilities are often experienced and equipped for these kinds of repairs.”
Finally, you can also buy a master key set for around $50, and often one of those will fit and work, says Pyle.
How to Break a Locking Lug Nut Off
As a last resort, you can break a locking lug nut off, but it’s not a great idea. “With breaking it off with a hammer and chisel, you’ll have a 95% chance [of] damaging the wheel, smashing your fingers, blowing chunks of metal toward your face and cursing,” says Pyle.
But if you do still want to attempt this approach, here’s how to do it:
- Place the tip of a chisel at the edge of the locking nut.
- Hammer the chisel to create a groove.
- Continue in a counterclockwise direction to rotate the nut.
Alternatively, you can drill out the locking nut, says Howes. Start with a small drill bit and drill directly into the center of the locking lug nut. Then, gradually use larger bits to widen the hole until the nut breaks apart or is weak enough to break off with a hammer. Be careful not to drill too deeply, or you’ll damage the wheel stud.
It might also be possible to apply enough force to break the lug stud itself. “This (and the above breaking alternatives) will, without a doubt, result in damage your wheel, stud or hub,” says Howes.
FAQ
Are lug nut locks universal?
No, lug nut locks are not universal. “They are going to be unique in size, thread pitch, design of lug on the vehicle and pattern of key,” says Howes. “With this many variables, it makes it difficult to match up, which deters theft considerably.”
Do locking lug nuts prevent theft?
They don’t guarantee that your wheels won’t get stolen, but they do deter theft because they add a layer of complexity and time into removing wheels. “This deters most thieves, especially those looking for a quick turnaround time,” says Howes. “With that being said, they are not foolproof. Albeit uncommon, a thief with the correct equipment and some time can still accomplish the job.”
About the Experts
- JuliAnna Howes owns and operates Southwest Auto, a 15,000 square foot advanced automotive facility, which opened in 1988, in Dallas, Texas. She has more than 15 years of experience in the automotive repair industry and specializes in European vehicles.
- Chris “Moose” Pyle is a master-certified technician with 20-plus years of automotive experience. He specializes in gas and diesel engines, transmissions, steering, suspension, brakes and electrical diagnostics. He has also worked as an expert for JustAnswer.com since 2006.
