Posted this in the midwest region forum as well.

For those that don't know, I am buying a 97 SE from a guy I work with for $300. I was going to pick up the car this Sunday, but the current owner came over to tell me that one of the rear tires has a flat. He tried to put air in it, but the tire wouldn't take the air. Here's the problem. His car has a locking lug nut on each rim. He says he lost the key. Is there any way of getting that locking lug nut off without having to tow it to a tire place or to a stealership to have them cut it off? Thanks.

 

Sorry, you need the right tools for that. They make a kit to remove them, but for the price of the tool it's easier to have a shop do it for you.

 

Depending on what type they are, you can remove it. I bought my max with lock nuts on them and here is what I did.

1. Find a deep socket that when placed on top of the lug nut will not completely go around it but just barely
2. Use one with lots of teeth.
3. Get hammer and hammer the socket and embed the teeth onto the lug nut.
4. Get socket wrench with breaker bar if necessary and take that sucker off.

I did mine and took like 2 min a wheel. I had enough clearance around the lug nut and it was the Mcgaurd type.

no sweat. Kinda makes me wonder why I have them on in teh first place.

 

So you can go outside to your car and still see your expensive wheels and tires still there.

 

Yeah, I imagine the sound of someone hammering a socket onto your lug nuts would be likely to wake you up...

 

Go to Sears. Craftsman Lug Nut remover kit. Works like a charm. Nothing gets damaged. Not even the lug nut.