Ghozt

I swear I have the stupidest problems known to man.

So, somehow in the past week I've lost my wheel lock, the OEM one that looks like a flower pattern from Nissan. Something like this - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NISSA...#ht_1831wt_939

Question is what do I do now? Are these standard enough that I could swing by a local Nissan and have them either sell me a replacement or help me take the locked lugs off? Or do I have to go the extreme route and freeze it with nitrous or something and break it off?

Ugh...

lightonthehill

I once had trouble finding my lock socket when the tire dealer was trying to mount the four new tires I had just bought. So I drove to my Nissan dealer (fortunately nearby), who was able to get the one lock nut off each wheel and replace it with a regular nut so the tire dealer could mount the new tires. He didn't charge me, as we are long-time friends. I later found my lock socket, so put the lock nuts back on.

Ghozt

Wow I sure am seeing the true colors of the Nissan dealerships around me. They quoted me $100 to take off 4 locked lugs with their universal wheel lock. I laughed and hung up the phone. Think I'm gonna try one of these Gator Grip things - http://www.amazon.com/Gator-Grip-ETC...8386451&sr=8-1

coolsun

iTrader: (10)

i recently had a problem with these S****y **** Wheel locks, and i bought 2 keys from the Mcgaurd company and they both broke. So i went to my local mechanic and he hammered out the wheel locks with a socket, for $20. So $100 is fairly alot, if you can hammer it yourself and then turn it out.
Also that gator thing don't work, i have one and the wheel nut is too big...

MadMax07SL

They're charging you the 'stupid-idty tax', that's why so much.

Ghozt

They're actually charging me the "worked on my car when it was dark and left the wheel lock in the grass and it's gone now" tax. Sounds like the manager wanted to pocket a quick $100 for 30 seconds of work.

Called another Nissan dealership and the guy said he'd take them off for free because "how can we charge you for that"? Exactly. Going by tonight to get these stupid things off and getting some Gorilla locks.

Good to know not every dealership is trying to screw people.

IH8SPM

Next time you go in for a tire rotation just ask them to leave off the locks.

Ghozt

Nissan didn't have a key that fits my locks somehow...so I just said f it and hammered on some 19mm 12 point sockets and took them off permanently. Good to know these OEM wheel locks are worthless and can be removed wwith 20 dollars in common automotive parts... got some new locks on there now and the card to order a new lock if I lose it again...didn't get that with my other set.

BigAnt1969

I don't know how but I recently misplaced my wheel lock lug key for my 2011 Maxima, I also could not find the I.D. Registration Card in my paperwork from the dealer.

Long story short ...
I was able to e-mail Mcgard a close up digital pic of the lug nut lock and they were able to identify the key I needed. It took about 1 week for the replacement to arrive at my door. This really beat all of the other options to get the locks off and replaced at a fraction of the cost.

I spoke with Denise in Customer Service she was very helpful.
The cost was $15 for the replacement key with free shipping.

McGard direct at 800-444-5847, Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm Eastern time

I hope this info will help someone in the future.

Papies01

Wat i did was hammer a smaller socket into that luck and use a air gun and it came off and i bought a new set of locks

Papies01

Wheel locks are useless they do nothing

slava2006

iTrader: (4)

Yea they only protect your wheels from getting stolen... i know right who the heck needs wheels anyways....

Papies01

They are useless!! They can be removed very easy if they want your wheels they WILL TAKE THEM and if they take my wheels i got full coverage i still make money so idc honestly

Ghozt

yeah but making claims against insurance cause rates to go up, and if a $50 set of wheel locks can make a lazy thief move on to the next car it's definitely worth it. I agree they're not the end-all be-all neither are alarm systems, anyone who WANTS your stuff WILL take it. it's all about giving enough discouragement to make them move to an easier target