Tuner Lug Key snapped off (inside locking lug)

[random_hero]

basically I'm fucked? Tried putting 17's on, got one side on (drivers side) then my pass. rear fucked me over, put the key, in, turned....snapped off pretty much flush with the lug. We tried pliers, but theres little to nothing to grab onto. the problem is it turned inside the lug before snapping, so its twisted as well. The lugs we did get off were a BITCH to get off....almost like they had rusted on there. We tried screw extractors and welding the broken key back in (only problem is that the MR-7's allow you access to about 1/4th of the actual lug - the rest is covered up....hence why we ouldnt weld a nut to it.)- once semi drilled out....still broke off. ....what do I do? We didnt take torches to it - we didn't have access to any....8 AM I'm going to a shop I think....any suggestions other than this?

[random_hero]

this is an internal locking lug as well, the outside of it is smooth and there is barely room for 2 sheets of paper between the rim and lug

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y179/akarandomhero4/100_0991.jpg

[WickedZ]

damn no one is stealing that rim any time soon. sorry to see that

[Larka]

Those lugnuts suck balls. I'd try a drill, drilling down the middle, drive a screw into it, then try to get it out like that. If you don't care about the wheels, you could always use an air hammer and chisel. :lol:

[redzx2nc]

There is a lug removal socket set made for air tools specifically for removing stripped lugs. It works on lock locks as well. I can't find them on the sears site but that is where I bought mine. I had to remove the lock lugs off my wife's taurus after we bought it because the key was lost.

Hope it helps.

Nevermind didn't see the new posts/pics as I was writing this.

[JC'szx2]

screw driver(old beat to shit one)and a hammer. beat screw driver against the key make a good indention so you can knock the Key CC and hopefully you can get it loose enough to pull the remaining piece out and im thinking of way to help with the nut.
bye the way i do this all the time with shit that gets stuck i thight places. Remember to have lots a patience lmk how it works for ya

[ImCrazy]

damn dude, id try all the suggestions listed above, seems like a bad deal anyway you slice it.

[WickedZ]

I WOULD do the screw driver tapping idea.

[Larka]

There is a lug removal socket set made for air tools specifically for removing stripped lugs. It works on lock locks as well. I can't find them on the sears site but that is where I bought mine. I had to remove the lock lugs off my wife's taurus after we bought it because the key was lost.

Hope it helps.

Nevermind didn't see the new posts/pics as I was writing this.

At an actual Sears store, they're where they have the tool sets- all the way on the end. But there really isn't room in this combo to do that...

[JC'szx2]

just a sugestion get gorrilla locking lugs i have no problems with them (i rotate my tire s every 4-6 weeks for about the last 2 years)

[random_hero]

I have rims to replace them so I'm about ready to fucking use a sawzall and just make a "how to" on removing fucked up lug nuts with it. I'm so pissed right now. I don't have the tools personally, I have to beg/borrow peoples shit and I hate it (live on campus) but I can't leave it like this another 2 weeks and drive 500+ miles on it. not to mention if I get a flat I'm FUCKED...and there IS a nail in that tire. IDK how long, just noticed it today.

[random_hero]

and we tried the screw driver Idea, we tried drilling into it. nothing works. WE've seriously returned 3 or 4 craftsman bits/reducers today. I think this winters salt really fucked them up.

[tylahjames]

Left Handed Drill bit...

They are awesome...

[JC'szx2]

sorry man:(

[ImCrazy]

just take it somewhere that won't rape you and see what they can do....... get some better lugs.....

[random_hero]

I got some better lugs, they're currently on my driver side....and like 4 are on my passenger side, 2 on one tire, 2 on the other. 4 lugs wouldn't/didnt try to come off. one of them is the destroyed one. I'm taking it to a shop in the AM...unfortunetly =(

[5spdzx2]

Yea those lugs are horrible, i had them and replaced them with a key that wraps outside. Why not just try and drill out everybit of it and use a torx head on there to get it out? So, regret putting that lug on so tight before?...

[zxtwou2]

we had a problem not being able to get a lug nut off dan's (liquidtrail) car. when he bought it, he didn't have a lug key for it...and it was a really funky one. what we did was tack weld a nut to the lug nut, then use an impact driver to get it off.

also..never buy those lug nuts, they SUCK. invest in some spline drive nuts.

[Fat_Dave]

we had a problem not being able to get a lug nut off dan's (liquidtrail) car. when he bought it, he didn't have a lug key for it...and it was a really funky one. what we did was tack weld a nut to the lug nut, then use an impact driver to get it off.

also..never buy those lug nuts, they SUCK. invest in some spline drive nuts.

hmmmm that might actually work

[random_hero]

we tried that.

#1 - the MR-7 rims only allow you acces to about 1/4th of the actual lug
#2 - Its come cheap alloy, not the best for welding to

Like I said, we were snapping fucking extensions for impact guns manually.
I'm off the the shop :(

[Jaybird]

Can you JB weld something onto the lug (maybe an old socket) and then use it to turn the lug?

[random_hero]

tried it with the remains of they key - snapped off as well....manually and with an impact gun.

So I spent 2 hours and about 5 or 6 shops looking at my car. they all refused to touch it. They don't want the liability of it, even when I said they could destroy the rim getting it off. On my way home, I saw a cole muffler, decided to stopfor fucks sake. whats another "no" ? the guy looked at it, said he could defenetly get it off, for $30-$60. IF all goes like he plans, I'd be more than willing to pay him that, too. Monday 8am I'm going.

[S/R]

take a 1/8" drill. and drill off center. then use a punch and drive the broken portion clockwise in the bore. this should break it loose. Also tkae a socket about the same size as the OD of the lugnut and beat the hell out of it to help shake it loose.

[random_hero]

I don't have access to a punch or else I would've thats the only thing I came up with today that we really havn't tried

[tre2000zx2]

do you have access to a stick (arc) welder ?? if so I.ve got jsut what you need... its a rod coated in a flux that you weld onto the broken stuc the flux lubricates the outside of the weld so it doesnt stick tot the threads or outside of the rims but just keep pilling it on...itll build up above the rim then just grind 2 sides off grab it with vice grips and itll get the broken bit out... but then you still have to get the lug off...so i guess its not the best idea after all.. but ... it is usefull for broken bolts and such...lemme knwo if ya need em ..ill ship ya some from work...

[random_hero]

will do. as for right now i'm just going to wait untill monday, I think.....

[Hypnose Zx2]

drill it and replace the stud.

[SnowBoardinWNY]

Sorry I didn't call you back after I got home, I passed out from 2 days no sleep. Hopefully they will be able to get them off monday.

[random_hero]

its all good bryan. that kid is kind of fucking retarded.....wish I had never gotten into it but now it looks like I'm stuck. They may destroy the rims getting it off =(

[SnowBoardinWNY]

I know he is lol, the other night he called me and I told him I was in class and then was like who the fuck gave him my number lol. He kept txting me asking when I was going to be able to hang out.

[random_hero]

yeah he oddly asked me "so...what are you doing this weekend...?" it was just awkward. The guy at the shop last night didnt like him very much either.

[J_Mob]

Have someone (good) weld a bolt to it, then turn it out with a wrench or impact. That's how we get stripped drain plugs and such out of final drives.

[Larka]

So, regret putting that lug on so tight before?...

I had these lugnuts on my MR7s too. This isn't because they're so tight. It's because they're tight, and they're open ended. All the crap gets in there, then it rusts to hell. So they were probably tight enough that you could still pop them off, but the rust has kind of stuck them on there.

[J_Mob]

Sorry didn't see that someone already told you about that one.

[S/R]

I don't have access to a punch or else I would've thats the only thing I came up with today that we really havn't tried

You dont have access to a punch???? why is it that most people on here that are working on their cars dont have the simplest of hand tools?

use a nail, a drill bit, anything to get into the offset hole i said to drill and wack it with a hammer. the reason the broken peice wont come out is because its lodged in from being turned in the drive socket. you need to turn it back the other way to get it loose.

[Blue ZX2]

Hello!! go to sears and get an "easy out kit" It requires to drill a hole in the middle and you drive a bit into it that will get it out. also by applying vibrations it helps it come out alot easier (so try turning it and then tap the end with a hammer lightly, try a lil more and tap again). Also I would use the easy out just to get the key out. so turn it to the right.

[S/R]

an EZ Out wont help him get the key out. the key needs to be turn clockwise ez outs only work counter-clockwise.

[random_hero]

thank you SR....and I dorm at school, I have a punch at home....350 miles away.

[5spdzx2]

Just curious why you have ignored everyone that said to drill it out, its good advice that will work...

[random_hero]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y179/akarandomhero4/100_0991.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y179/akarandomhero4/11-2.jpg

Just the parts last night we broke (not including the parts we returned to sears) ...Sorry Mike :(
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y179/akarandomhero4/111-1.jpg

[WickedZ]

damn mang

[SoCalZX2]

I can't see any pics you put up since I'm at work... but is there enough room to put a set of vice grips on it? I assume you're not concerned about saving the lug at this point right?

[SnowBoardinWNY]

There is no room to put anything around it. Did you guys try heating the lug with a torch to make it expand a little and then try taking it off? I don't think it was ever mentioned and I just thought about it when I was sleeping lol.

[random_hero]

yes - its been drilled out and tried with screw extractors, no avail.

Bryan - we did try a propane torch but that was no use, we dont have setaline (sp) torches either.

And to top it off, that kid tightened the lug nuts on my car - and fucking stripped the tool to the new lug nuts. Ask mike.....we were ready to just go steal his rims/tool lol

[Escort Pimp]

Just take all the other lug nuts off and do some aggressive driving until it breaks.




**I am not responsible for injuries and/or death due to taking above advice**

[SnowBoardinWNY]

yes - its been drilled out and tried with screw extractors, no avail.

Bryan - we did try a propane torch but that was no use, we dont have setaline (sp) torches either.

And to top it off, that kid tightened the lug nuts on my car - and fucking stripped the tool to the new lug nuts. Ask mike.....we were ready to just go steal his rims/tool lol

That kid is a moron lol

Just take all the other lug nuts off and do some aggressive driving until it breaks.




**I am not responsible for injuries and/or death due to taking above advice**

:rofl:

[random_hero]

EP - generally you have good advice. I'm gonna go ahead and opt. to NOT listen to anything you say this time lol

[S/R]

It would do the job though, thats the fucked up thing.

a propane torch is pretty much useless for heating, they dont get hot enough. it seems the more you fuck with shit like this the worse it gets. before you know it you be cutting the wheel with a hacksaw :)

[Fat_Dave]

can you cut the back of the wheel stud off where it goes in through the hub and then just replace the wheel stud?

[Buster]

can you cut the back of the wheel stud off where it goes in through the hub and then just replace the wheel stud?

May be tricky to get to the back but this could be the only option left, aside from cutting the wheel up.

With 17s, there may be enough room to get up inside the back of the wheel.


Did that shop get anywhere this morning?

Can you get a carbide or even insutrial diamond brill bit and just drill out everything in the wheel's hole for the lugnut, including the lug and the stud?

If you try, keep it well lubricated with oil while drilling so you don't kill the bit right away.

[ImCrazy]

Yah Id try cutting the stud off and replacing it.

[Blue ZX2]

Yah Id try cutting the stud off and replacing it.

Ditto. Heck even if you could get in there with a file. May take a long dang time but worth the cost of your rim...

[J_Mob]

If welding is not an option, drill out the key as much as possible then try bending whats left of the outside in (does this make sense)...hard to describe, but basically hollow out the key with a drill bit, then bend it in on itself witha screwdriver or something. Might work. Or you could use an air hammer/chisel on the inside lip and try hitting it off (another trick we use on stripped out drain plugs)

[Larka]

It's an MR7, those rims are poo. If I had this issue, and had replacement wheels, I'd be going after that wheel with a sawz-all. :twisted:

[corby_baby]

sawzall ftw

[random_hero]

Oh trust me, If I had spare rims I would've sawzalled a LONG time ago.

[Hypnose Zx2]

well..... keep drilling!!!!

[random_hero]

We got the one shitty rim off....one more left...

[Crackin_X]

you got the one we welded to off? how did that go? sorry I wasn't more help that night.

[random_hero]

its all good mike, we got a little of everything accomplished lol - I appreciate that you tried!!

cole muffler did get it off...now just the front pass. side rim to come off....

[SnowBoardinWNY]

how much did they charge you?