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Help! Locking wheel nut key missing

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Old 20 November 2007, 09:24 PM
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Myles
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Default Help! Locking wheel nut key missing

As suggested above, I bought my Impreza about a month ago, and I need new brake pads. I bought the pads, but have looked in the car and cant find the wheel nut remover anywhere. I have spoken to the last owner, but if he cant find it i need options! If anyone can help me I would much appreciate it!! TA
Old 20 November 2007, 09:27 PM
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Borat_Drives_A_Scooby
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Grind it off, just find someone that has an angle grinder.
Old 20 November 2007, 09:30 PM
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HUDDERS1
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try a socket mate, get one that's just fits and hope it grips. its that or air chisel it off.
Old 20 November 2007, 10:04 PM
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Myles
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I think the best plan of attack is to have a go with a slightly smaller socket, and try to whack it on. Wish me luck, I am getting p1ssed off with the screech of the wear indicators!!
Old 20 November 2007, 10:07 PM
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v5 man
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I got mine off with a smaller socket hammered onto the nut when I broke my locking wheelnut key. Sadly after all the effort I found a spare one that fitted
Old 20 November 2007, 10:19 PM
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rather than smashing it on yourself, try taking it to your local tyre place - they're used to this kind of problem and have the right tools for the job. They normally also bash a smaller socket on using an extension post (or they did when i needed to get one off my last car) which means that if they miss with the hammer swing, they don't **** your alloy!

Give the chap a tenner for his pocket and you avoid getting your hands dirty
Old 20 November 2007, 10:24 PM
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Weld a nut onto it then use your normal wheel brace to take it off
Old 20 November 2007, 10:30 PM
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danfranklin1
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Are these keys really all that different car-to-car? I kind of suspect Subaru only ever made about four different variations, but then again I could be very wrong...
Old 20 November 2007, 10:37 PM
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Dream Weaver
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As Steve PPP says, take it to a tyre or MOT place - happened to me last year and they had all 4 nuts off in about 20 seconds - they then just finger tight them so you can get home, or will add any spare bolts you have - just slip them a fiver for some beers
Old 20 November 2007, 10:37 PM
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robby
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Halfords sell a pair of sockets with a reverse thread - Laser Locking Wheel Nut Remover from Halfords Price £9.99
Old 20 November 2007, 11:31 PM
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albob
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big pair off 'mole grips' and give them a tap with a hammer ........!
Old 21 November 2007, 09:19 AM
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Is it a classic? If so, have you looked in the little compartment on the n/s of the boot? There's a door that opens to reveal the jack, and a plastic wallet with the wheelbrace and the wheelnut key, as well as a few cheap tools.

It's not that obvious..........

Alcazar
Old 21 November 2007, 12:43 PM
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Alexppp
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as said above, a reverse thread should have it off in about 10 mins. Just eats into the bolt and away it will come. A mate of mine has one. Really good me thinks.

Alexppp
Old 21 November 2007, 01:17 PM
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vindaloo
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Originally Posted by alcazar
Is it a classic? If so, have you looked in the little compartment on the n/s of the boot? There's a door that opens to reveal the jack, and a plastic wallet with the wheelbrace and the wheelnut key, as well as a few cheap tools.

It's not that obvious..........

Alcazar
"View" states Bugeye.... Even so, the Subaru garage that sold me my car couldn't find the locking wheelnut thing, nor the toolkit. Eventually, I found them wedged in in front of and under the jack. On mine, the wheelnut thing was in the grey toolkit folder too.

So now I have 2 sets

J.
Old 21 November 2007, 04:56 PM
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Myles
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Originally Posted by vindaloo
"View" states Bugeye.... Even so, the Subaru garage that sold me my car couldn't find the locking wheelnut thing, nor the toolkit. Eventually, I found them wedged in in front of and under the jack. On mine, the wheelnut thing was in the grey toolkit folder too.

So now I have 2 sets

J.
My wheelnuts look like a narrower tube with a thread on the inside and the wider part nearer the wheel has grooves in it, 4 if I remember rightly. I also have a random flat plate with a threaded end on it, in the toolkit. Doesnt look like the job but cant be sure. Any ideas?
Old 21 November 2007, 05:12 PM
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as above poop to a tyre garage and give te guy a £10.....
Old 21 November 2007, 06:53 PM
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lisa300
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hey just had the same prob with mine(again)put the key in a safe place and never saw it again.
was told about a set of sockets that looked normal on the outside but had a rough looking left hand thread on the inside.these worked well and with no damage to my wheels,boyfriend had to use an air gun with it though,got them off no problem.I got them from a motor factor nearby,have a look for them their good...
Old 21 November 2007, 07:12 PM
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Stretch202
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I could not find my locking nut key after buying my classic, Subaru dealer then found it in the egineers tool box

Just go to a tyre shop and they will get it off or leave it over night in a car park then the nuts and the wheels will be gone.
Old 21 November 2007, 07:19 PM
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K9FAD
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If it is a U.K motor then contact any subaru dealer and there should be able to order one from reg number , if this does not work then they should have a master set to find the right on to order for you.
Old 26 November 2007, 02:36 PM
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Myles
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Update. Went to garage with a very helpful owner. 10 mins later. using the small socket and hammer method he got all four sockets off. I offered him some wedge for it but he declined. Its not the first time he has helped me and mates out for nothing. So I am going to big him up. If anyone cares it is Wearings of Carterton, just outside RAF Brize Norton.
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