Eeep, my wheel lock key broke

[WeatherB]

So I was trying to remove my wheel today when the wheel lock key broke. The inside "key" piece actually separated from the socket like piece. I think repeated impact wrench use at various shops must have weakened the ribs which hold the two pieces together.

Some previous threads mentioned that dealerships have a master key that can be used in these situations. Can anyone confirm this? Otherwise I will need to order a replacement from McGard in California and wait a life time for delivery. :(

Hopefully you guys can reply before the dealerships open on Tuesday.

[cwp_sedan]

Yes, the dealerships have a master for all of the wheel locks.

[WeatherB]

Great. Thanks.

[b]

Mississauga Mazda did mine about a 6 weeks ago. They were great.

[WeatherB]

Mississauga Mazda did mine about a 6 weeks ago. They were great.

Any charge for removing them?

[Newlook]

Otherwise I will need to order a replacement from McGard in California and wait a life time for delivery. :(


Mine broke 2 winters ago but luckily it happened when I was putting on the wheels. I could loosen but not tighten.

Would McGard replace the key free of charge?

[b]

Yep. Lots of money lol :( They had to torch one off so it came to 200 or so in labour.

[WeatherB]

Yep. Lots of money lol :( They had to torch one off so it came to 200 or so in labour.

Doesn't sound like they used a master key at all... I can order a replacement key for $19.99 so no way I would be willing to pay more than $30 for them to remove and replace.

[b]

They did use a master key on the one that needed it... but they had to torch other nuts off as I mentioned :) it was over tightened.

[Cosmo77]

Most dealers will not charge if they have a master key that will fit...they might charge .2 labor....if the master won;t work or the lock is damaged and we have to remove the locks....it can be anywhere from .5hr to the possiblity of losing a rim.

Cosmo

[dentinger]

usually, the 'master key' is just a somewhat 6 sided socket, but its been kinda twisted, so it can grip on the wheel lock.
pretty much, you find a socket that a bit too small, and you hammer it on, and hope it holds.
chances are, you wont be able to reuse your old wheel locks.

and imo, wheel locks suck ass.
i work in the shop at CT, and at least once a week, i have a car, where i cant find the wheel lock key, cuz the last person lost it, etc, etc, and its a huge pain to have to hunt down a wheel lock, cuz its either in the glove box/center console/trunk/ etc etc.

[WeatherB]

Sorry b, missed the "torch" part.

I don't like the wheel locks either, but I sleep better at night knowing that I reduced the chances of ind my cars on bricks with the rims missing.

[dentinger]

what B means, is that they take an Acetlyne torch (used for cutting metal, using super hot fire), to remove it.

basicaly, they would have either:
a)heat up the lock nut, to expand the metal, then try to remove it,
or
b) if that does work, they would have to literally torch/destroy the wheel lock to remove it. but if they go that far, you usualy need a new stud too.

[b]

^ Correct I did need a new stud also! Only one stud and that was on a normal nut that was torched not the lock key one.

[WeatherB]

Went to Scarboro Mazda today to get some other work done and asked them if they could remove the wheel locks for me... They said no problem and didn't even charge me for it.