Wheel locks = Joke

[PBallen]

So originally thought wheel locks were a joke.

Put on my winter wheels today. Torqued them to 74ft-lbs and on the third wheel one of the pieces sheared off! Looks like it was almost completely rusted through.

I decided to take the others off and I sheared another one! I'll post pics tomorrow. They are very poorly made......I suggest everyone to TAKE THEM OFF!

EDIT: changed 'winter tires' to 'winter wheels'.

[MainFrame]

Are these factory option wheel locks we're talking about?

[PBallen]

My apologiez mainframe: We are talking stock, oem wheels (5x100 17" wheels.)

When purchasing the car, I asked for these to be removed,
they declined and said it was an 'option' which couldn't be removed!!
the outside of the 'thread' stiill remained so they could be removed but wouldn't last long.
Somthing i have to admit. The document in the wheel lock package says that you are suppose to only torque 65'-#.

PIC TOMORROW OR MONDAY!

OK I over-torqued but look at the corrosion - no thanks!

/Parris
(If I'm wrong, please correct me, as my knowledge needs to be challenged.)

[thescreensavers]

If it says 65 and you did only 75, it should not of sheared

[teflon_jones]

What year car/wheel locks? I don't understand why you have so much corrosion.

[Pylonpounder]

That seems awefully like a factory defect to me. Your car is more than new enough that even living in new hampshire you shouldn't be that corroded. On the other hand, I would be sketched out by anything that wanted 65 lbs on my wheels...my lugs are torqued to 92.

[PBallen]

Have a '11 and it's been ~1.5 years.

Eh - I wouldn't bet it was a factory defect. It seems to be how they are designed, there is nowhere for the water to go.

The second one I sheared off had less corrosion. Pics tomorrow.

[STiDriven]

I got rid of my wheel locks when someone was nice enough at Solo Nationals 2008 to steal my lock key when I was in grid. Was stuck running my competition tires all week....

Anyway, after I got back in town I went to Subaru to have them take off the lock. They couldn't do it with aftermarket wheels as the space around the lug did not have enough clearance for their universal lock removal kit. So they said I could cut the lug (which could damage the wheel) or go order a new lock. So $10 later + like $30 for shipping and two days later I got the right key again.

Took the locks off, placed in a box with the key, replaced with normal lugs, have never had an issue since.

I've heard more complaints about locks than anything good......the key either gets lost or stolen, or the key breaks the lug or vice versa. I'll never use them again.

[T0rque]

I recently bought a car at auction with oem wheel locks on the stock BBS wheels... No wheel lock key in the car... Oh well I haz master set.

[devilfluff]

I hate wheel locks, and remove them at the first opportunity.

[Ruh Roh]

i tq mine to 80

[T0rque]

i tq mine to 80

Aren't you just a rebel..

[rage-wrx]

Wheel locks are a joke. I once had a puncture on the highway & I discovered that the OEM Honda wheel lock was bent out of shape.(the guy who previously fixed a puncture used a wheel gun on it) Had to have the car towed to a mechanic to get the lock removed.

[Ruh Roh]

might have to do 85 next time.

[Calvinball]

I thought about buying wheel locks for my nice new Subaru since I work in South Philly where craziness happens.

But then I remembered how I broke one of the wheel locks on my Acura with my massive strengths, and what a hassle it was having to get the dealership to deal with it.