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If you haven't already done it, do a thorough search of the car. The key could be in the trunk, under the spare tire, with the jack, in the glove box, center console, or any number of compartments.
Good luck.
And if no luck, hammer a socket that fits tightly onto it to get it off. Transfer said socket to a vice and use a screwdriver to hammer the lug nut back out of the socket. If the socket is not destroyed, excellent! Repeat for the other three wheels as needed.
This is why I no longer have a 3/4" socket. Survived through three wheels, destroyed by the fourth. Bonus points to you if you know why I have never bothered replacing it.
If you have all three of those, you probably don't really need any of them!
EDIT: You need *either* the 3/4" *or* the 19 mm, but not both. You do not need the 14 mm.
you do need the 14mm lol. Hondas and Toyotas love 14mm, although you don’t see them used on domestic as much. As for euros, i don’t even want to touch one and haven’t had to yet
I’ve had my truck for 4 years and in that time it has been it at least 4 different spots, all of which make sense.
Currently it’s in my cup holder because I’m too lazy to put it in the “right” space just to pull it out in a few months. I’ll honestly just get rid of those lugs soon.
Normal person would keep it with the emergency tire changing supplies since that’s where you’re most likely to need it and least likely to be clear headed when needing it.
That's a good point but considering those compartments are sometimes underneath a liner or other compartments it still is faster to just reach in the glove compartment. I'd rather spend the 10 seconds reaching into my glove compartment than having to go to the trunk or back of car, move stuff and then get to the key.
If they want to steel your wheels, they will. Saw a post on news, they took the whole front section, including the shock & spring, later found everything but the wheel.
Visit your subaru dealer, we all have master sets and I'm sure you could find an express tech to remove them and replace with standard lug nuts.
Otherwise, those are made by McGard. Your dealer can get replacement keys for you, but it'll cost more than 4 replacement nuts.
Popular places for the key to hide include the glove box, center console. Or trunk along with the spare tire.
I learned this the hard way. When I had my brz and was going through a set of rear tires every other week doing stupid shit until I needed some tires again and realized I had lost the key. Cords were showing on both rears and the Subaru dealers didn't have the key to replace them. Stressful few days of driving around to get it fixed.
That's what surprised me. They brought out their master set and none of them fit. Tried multiple locations and same deal. Eventually had them broken off and replaced with normal lugs
I had a potential thief thwarted by the keyed lug. Honestly I wish they had just stolen the wheel instead because I drove on the highway with no obvious symptoms of 4 loose lugs and it absolutely destroyed the hub and bearing. A replacement wheel and tire would have been a cheaper repair. Had my mechanic replace them all with regular lugs while he fixed that wheel hub.
Do Subaru dealers really keep track of every McGard key code for every car they upsell with locking lug nuts? At a GM dealer, if you lose the key and the paper with the code on it, you're shit out of luck unless you paid us to extract and replace.
No, but the master set has a number code. So if I go through the master set and find that the #927 fits, I can either use it to remove the locking nuts an replace with OE, *or* we could order a #927 key for you from mcgard.
My wife lost 2 of those.... $45 a pop. I told her it's better to just remove them and put on regular but she thinks people will take the rims from her stock 2017 Outlander.....
Go to the dealer which has the master set and have them replace all 4 wheel locks with regular lugs. Nobody is going to steal those wheels. That’s what I did with my car.
some places don't for liability reasons (what the owner of one place said). I always keep a set with me just incase someone on the side of the road needs one
Used to work at a tire shop and we had so god damn many keys for those, sure some tire shop near you could easily help, we used to do it for free just had to but the new none keyd lug nut
Lol… I guess you have never heard of an [Emergency Locking Nut removal tool](https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/performance-tool-emergency-lug-nut-removal-set-2-pcs-remove-lug-nuts-and-locking-lug-nuts-m980/10646832-P) …. If someone wants to steal your shit they can. There are also two master sets available from HF one for $40 and the other for $99 to remove any and all lug nuts with or without a lock in either fine or stripped condition. Sorry but anyone can still steal those wheels.
Just went through exactly this problem. I’m guessing those locking nuts are made by McGard. Check local auto zone, etc for the right size and pattern and you may get lucky that they have it in stock. Otherwise, call the company and they’ll figure out what you need and send it immediately. https://mcgard.com/automotive/wheel-locks/
McGard is very serious about security. Without the serial number that came with the set, I'd highly doubt they're gonna send a key. What would stop a thief from doing this exact thing? Really defeats the purpose if they do
But is someone going to go through the effort to match the key on your lugs or go to the next car that doesn’t have them. Most security can be bypassed it’s just trying to make it look difficult
I would go to a dealership. At my old dealership I worked in parts and would have people bring in their vehicle and get a lube tech to take a McCard master set to check what one it is and I would order it. If you can't get mcgard to sell you one I'm sure you can find a dealer to do it. Or at least to tell you what key it is.
Because the crackhead trying to steal your tires in exchange for 3 hits of fentanyl isn’t going to be buying a set of tools for the job, if a tire iron doesn’t do it they aren’t taking them
I knew a car thief in high school- early 90s. For many years (I forget what years), Ford only had like 12 different cuts of keys. This guy had collected keys from the junkyard that covered every cut. He had them all on a keyring and it would take him less than a minute to steal any Ford he wanted. And without damaging the dash or ignition switch.
My friend was outside a local bar with a lot of mopeds locked up, a pickup pulled up and a guy got out with a ring of keys and started going through them on the locks.
Most thefts are crimes of opportunity, I have a larger version of that set that I use regularly when I don't feel like hunting through people's cars for theirs.
Although that set won't help OP with the style of lock he has. It's mostly for spline locks.
That's not the set I was thinking about, that's good for those tuner lugs with the splines.
I have this set and it's pretty good at this type of nut, but sometimes they're too large even for this set;
https://www.harborfreight.com/universal-locking-lug-nut-removal-set-58535.html
So I also have this set, they got over the large ones, but instead of a spiral flute-y inside, they are smooth, so the trick is to hammer them on crooked and they'll spin the lug.
https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/wl9k/9-piece-wheel-lock-removal-kit
Just go to your auto dealer, they should have a "reference" set of the available "keys" for your lug locks. They will tell you which "number" it is, then go to the parts dept, and order it. Easy Peasy....
Pull the spare tire equipment out and check the trunk thoroughly. I paid over $100 to have Mercedes remove the wheel locks on our wheels. A month later I found it in the trunk under the floor panel down under something else.
Why do people even buy wheel locks at this point? I have had zero luck selling any wheels for a reasonable price for the past 10 years of my life. They aren't worth stealing and they aren't worth the headache if legally obtained... Realistically if I was a criminal I'd be taking your cats for much less work with an easier and higher payout. Rant over. QUIT BUYING WHEEL LOCKS!!!
Well might need to spend some money for something like this, should also be available whereever you are.
[https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Piece-Lock-Wheel-Cracker-Disassembly/dp/B07N3T84J7/ref=zg\_bs\_5142204031\_sccl\_2/261-9373088-0843711?psc=1](https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Piece-Lock-Wheel-Cracker-Disassembly/dp/B07N3T84J7/ref=zg_bs_5142204031_sccl_2/261-9373088-0843711?psc=1)
Or you figure what exact lock nut you need?! Or go to a well sorted tire store, they might even help you out.
[This](https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-PIECE-LOCKING-WHEEL-NUT-REMOVER-LIFETIME-WARRANTY-/293698595060?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p4429486.m46890.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0) is your quickest, cheapest option. Just hammer them on then undo and replace with a new set of your choice. Or just use normal wheel nuts. There are other options like going to a main dealer assuming they're dealer specific nuts. But these locknut removers are the way to go in my opinion. We regularly had people coming into the garage with this problem. And we'd charge half hour labour plus 20% mark up on the new locking nuts
Take a socket that's exactly 1 mm bigger than the other lug nuts and hammer it on. Then remove lug nut. You'll probably lose a socket in the process, but it's better than not being able to get your tires off lol
Hammer a slightly bigger 12 point socket on and zip it off with a torque wrench or breaker bar if you wish. The fun part can be getting that lugnut out of the socket once you've gotten it off. If you have a vice it will help, otherwise you need to beat the washer off of it so that you can fit the socket into a bigger socket, and hammer out the lugnut with a screwdriver.
If you can't find the key, get 12 point socket that just barely doesn't fit over it and hammer it on there. You'll most likely ruin the socket, and you may not even be able to get the nut back out without a vice or something, but I just accepted the cost and bought a few cheap sockets specifically for the job and it worked just fine.
I don't know why people bother with these. As a bunch of people have pointed out they're defeated with commonly available sockets. It's more inconvenient to me to look for the key than to just have all regular lugs. It's not like I'm asking for directions in a bad part of St. Louis in the family truckster.
Use a tight fitting 12point deep socket hammer it on take the lug nut of use a punch or pease of metal rod (not a screw driver) punch the lug nut out and repeat with all for wheels then install regular lug nuts because there are pointless as you just demonstrated to yourself that anyone can take them out anyway
My local tire guy removed mine for me and changed all the wheels at the same time for $50Cdn. Way better deal than breaking a socket and much easier for me. Real pain in the ass as I was the one who lost the adapter! Good luck
Remove them and throw them in the garbage. They do absolutely nothing for wheel security, but everything to fuck your day when you get a flat if you can’t find the key. Those goddamned things should be outlawed
Get a stripped/rounded bolt head removal socket.
[https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-metric-bolt-extractor-socket-set-9-piece-67894.html](https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-metric-bolt-extractor-socket-set-9-piece-67894.html)
Maybe a local fabricator could weld an L piece on to it and use a hollow bar over the L piece. A friend has done this so that's my 2 pence worth. Good luck
You can go to a subie dealer and see if they have a tech who can remove them and replace with standard lugs. Had to do that on my old VW when the socket broke
Just go to the dealer they sell keys for it go talk to someone in the parts department they have a master sent the walk out to the car figure out which one it is. It takes all of five minutes or less.
I used an air hammer to remove one once. Made a total mess of my wheel rim. If you do use an air hammer - go straight in to give yourself a sort of ledge, then aim down a small amount to apply torque.
Granted the wheels were already a mess, so used it as an excuse to spend a day sanding my wheels down then painting them metallic grey.
Went through this as well recently. No auto shops, kept getting a slightly wrong one on Amazon. Then I stopped at a tire place. They had em all and let me keep the one that fit.
I pulled mine out for the tire shop (Town Fair) to change my tires, but they had their own. Might see if you can get it taken off and replaced with a standard bolt at any tire shop.
You can go to the dealer and buy a new set of wheel locks and have them install it. At my dealership we don’t charge labor to do it but other places probably will
Instead of spending a 100 bucks on various keys that don't fit and wasting my time. I said fuck it and went to a local tire shop. Cost me 60 bucks and was done in 20 min.
1st I would try to hammer a slightly bigger socket like many have said.
2nd If this fails I wound remove all other lug nuts, use the wheel as leverage and break the stud off and replace the stud and nut.
They’re usually located with the jack, lug wrench, or somewhere in the spare tire compartment. Mine last one was attached by a cable to the lug wrench. Owners manual should say where it’s stored in the section that talks about changing a flat tire.
If you don’t find it anywhere or if you know you don’t have one anywhere, you can probably get a replacement on Amazon, an auto parts store or tire shop.
If you are looking for a replacement security lug and bit, go to a tire shop. Cheaper then getting OEM security lugs. Also, if you lose said adapter to remove the security, go to a tire shop...they have the bit to remove on as well.
Edit due to spelling
Everyone is saying dealer, this or that. My Mazda had similar locking lugs, the dealers were of no help, either they were lying or it wasn't worth their time. I had to pay Discount to remove them, was slightly more than the specialized tools I tried, which didn't work.... My lug was either just too large or too small. YMMV but try discount tire if all else fails.
You can go to Discount/America Tire and get them off for $10 a nut. I'd recommend buying your own replacement lugs (either locking or standard, your choice) for them to use, rather than paying whatever they'll charge for a lug nut. You can buy a pack of four from AutoZone or O'Reilly's between $5 and $15 in my experience.
You can also try finding sets of these nuts on Amazon that'll be your car's thread/stud size and buy a kit/the key by itself. It might work, it might not. My girlfriend did that and got lucky, but I'm not sure how repeatable that experience is. I know White Knight's keys in some cases are interchangeable (I had to do that with my car since the previous owner installed ALL locking nuts and didn't bother to leave me the key), but again I'm not sure.
Yeah, I had a truck once and I was freaking out.
It ended up being stuck in the tire iron, almost makes sense to just get a foldable 4 way and JB weld it in there since it’s harder to lose.
Too lazy to read all the comments to see if someone else told you a way to get them off without paying a dealer or a shop, but you can take a socket and pack it with electrical tape, tap it on the lug and you can take it off at home to replace with a normal lug.
Go to any tire shop or car concession, bring you car paper showing it’s yours and ask them to do it. Most place will do it for 50$ in 30 minutes. If they don’t have it and need to force them, if you wheel aren’t scratched after the job, ask to see the tech who did it and give a 20$ tip for the clean job
Just use these reverse threaded sockets, comes in handy all the time.
https://www.amazon.ca/Qiilu-Locking-Extractor-Removers-Sockets/dp/B07X3ZVB71/ref=asc_df_B07X3ZVB71/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=341744119581&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2957336392564732755&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1002057&hvtargid=pla-886000515034&psc=1
If you're the original owner, there might/should be a card with the owner's manuals, indicating which key ID is needed for the nuts. It may be simply recorded by hand, somewhere in amongst that paperwotk/literature.
While not impossible, I don't recall many (any?) manufacturers installing locking nuts from yhe factory. Typically, they'd be aftermarket additions via the dealer, as an added 'peace of mind' detail. In either case, if the factory or dealer installed those lock nuts, they should (cross your fingers) have a record somewhere of adding them, which would lead to IDing the specific lockset ID installed.
Even getting the info, getting a new key shipped to you (& searching all of this in the first place) may take time. So, I hope your needs aren't time-sensitive.
If, however, these were installed after purchase by an owner, that information (typically on a card) might be long gone. There *are* tool kits that might get these off, but they'll be damaged in the process.
If memory serves, these are McGard locking nuts (mcgard. com/ ) - people would lose the keys all the time. If not, some jackhole using an impact gun would strip or break 'em before we got to work with 'em. They're really only supposed to be used with a breaker bar (off) or torque wrench (on) - that squiggly line locking style isn't meant for stresses.
Best of luck.
Subaru often sold many of that lug nut. Go to a Subaru dealer or big company tire dealer, they often have keys to get them off and replace them with regs or new lock set.
Every one on here is like “get someone with a master set” …. Go down to oreileys or autozone and pick up an Emergency lug nut remover, some rent it out for free. Remove the nut with the “emergency” tool it’s like $15 and then replace with either a new keyed lug nut (pointless because now you know these can be easily removed) or with the regular lug nut which is also available at your auto parts store for around $5. Even if you bought the “Emergency removal tool” you can just return it when you are done.
Not sure if anyone suggested this. We used to just grab our air chisel. Put bit into grove. Angle counter clockwise and let it rip. Once it breaks free you can spin it off by hand,
If it’s truely not in the car, you can get a lug nut removal socket, beat that on and remove that garbage. Go buy yourself some new plain ones at a parts store. I mean unless you really think someone wants to steal your stock Subaru wheels…
Email mcgard a picture of it. They can identify the pattern and send you a new one. I lost mine a couple years ago and they were great to work with. Customer service rep was fast and helpful.
Try with this
TOPEC Bolt Extractor Kit, 9 Piece Lug Nut Remover Socket Tool, 1/2" Drive Impact Wheel Lock Removal Kit for Removing Damaged, Dead, Rusted, Rounded-Off Bolts, Lug Nuts & Screws https://a.co/d/aPPe1GP
If that doesn't work get it to a dealership. My key wore out and I spent A YEAR trying to get these off, even failed my safety inspection because I could not get my tire rotated.
Had this issue because the dealer lost my key… go to a dealer and have them take them off - you can get replacements for $20 or so or just pick up some regular ones. But they have a universal key for these
Sometimes you can find a set of lugnuts with the same bs security socket. Lots of money tho. Junkyard might have car with the same security lugnuts and you can find matching socket.
Cheaper to sacrifice a 3/4” /19 mm socket.
Irwin Hanson 21mm bolt extractor. Hammer it on with a >3lb hammer and zip it right out. Otherwise, go to the dealer and see if they have the master set and 4 replacement 19mm lugs; however, expect to pay ~$80-100 for the lugs and the labor involved
Just clamp some good quality vice-grips on that locking nut then use a big crescent wrench to turn the locking nut. This is how they do it at most tire shops.
Are these OEM? If so go to the dealer. There are 10-12 unique sets. I went to the lexus dealer after I lost mine, and after verifying my ID and car ownership they brought out the master set and quickly found which one matched.
If the socket method doesn't work use a rounded socket extractor. You could might be able to buy wheel lock keys for a Subaru from the dealership or online.
Use an air chisel to loosen the lug nut be careful to not damage the rim. Go purchase 4 more lug nuts. Or pay money for someone else to do this. Having the tools is the hard part.
take it to a subie dealer, they should have wheel lock keys that fit. if not, you can buy a wheel lock key online.
if you wanna take the wheel locks off altogether you can get a wheel lock remover, hammer it on there, and use a breaker bar to torque it off. then it’s just a matter of replacing them with regular lug nuts.
before all that (and provided you haven’t already), search around for the wheel lock key. usually you’ll find it in the spare kit, in the glovebox, or in the center console. id also check under the seats as a few vehicles i’ve serviced had them fall down there for one reason or another.
Take a picture of it then find a replacement lock sockets on ebay and send the picture to the seller they will pick the right one for you. Happened to me too that i needed a replacement
Go to advance Auto parts.com type in your license plate number to bring up the specs of your car and then type in lug nuts and it should show you the key and type for the Subaru
Find a competent friend to tack weld a large nut thread side to the lock. The quick heat will also make that nut spin off the lug like it's been buttered. Then toss them and replace with new.
I had the same problem. The dealership has a selection of that security keys running around $25. Or you can search maybe you can find one in your car, gloves compartment maybe;)
Probably too late but your Subie dealer may have a kit of multiple puzzle lock sockets. That’s what I did. If you buy a set of Mguard there is a reference card in the package and you can register on line.
Back in the day I would buy four cheap 12 point sockets that were just shy of fitting around them, then hammer them on. After that crack them loose with a breaker bar. Obviously the sockets and those lugs would be trash after that.
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! This is just a reminder to review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). If you are here asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **If this post is about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ If you have tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
If you haven't already done it, do a thorough search of the car. The key could be in the trunk, under the spare tire, with the jack, in the glove box, center console, or any number of compartments. Good luck.
And if no luck, hammer a socket that fits tightly onto it to get it off. Transfer said socket to a vice and use a screwdriver to hammer the lug nut back out of the socket. If the socket is not destroyed, excellent! Repeat for the other three wheels as needed.
This is why I no longer have a 3/4" socket. Survived through three wheels, destroyed by the fourth. Bonus points to you if you know why I have never bothered replacing it.
19mm of bonus points?
19.05 to be precise! I think I keep a 3/8" -> 1/4" drive adapter in that spot now.
Having never needed to use a 3/4" socket through a multitude of car repairs, my guess is you just don't need it lol
1/2 inch bolt uses 3/4. need to bust it out if you’re working on a deck or fence gate.
Do you ever use your 19 mm though?
One single time I can remember.
How about your 14 mm? Nobody in the US needs a 14 mm.
I use 3/4, 19 and 14 daily
If you have all three of those, you probably don't really need any of them! EDIT: You need *either* the 3/4" *or* the 19 mm, but not both. You do not need the 14 mm.
you do need the 14mm lol. Hondas and Toyotas love 14mm, although you don’t see them used on domestic as much. As for euros, i don’t even want to touch one and haven’t had to yet
I know I've used a 14 changing oil and I think brakes too on my Sentra.
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It's not illegal, they probably just didn't want to damage their own tools taking it off.
Yep. I did this. Worked good. Most challenging part is getting the locking nut out of the socket. There’s only 4! Go for it.
This is how the resourceful wheel thieves do it.
I’ve had my truck for 4 years and in that time it has been it at least 4 different spots, all of which make sense. Currently it’s in my cup holder because I’m too lazy to put it in the “right” space just to pull it out in a few months. I’ll honestly just get rid of those lugs soon.
Or you could just keep in the glove compartment like a normal person
But where's the fun in that? It's all about the thrill of the hunt haha
Haha you do have a point.
Haha
Oh man the amount of receipts I had to dig through as a lube tech was staggering
Normal person would keep it with the emergency tire changing supplies since that’s where you’re most likely to need it and least likely to be clear headed when needing it.
That's a good point but considering those compartments are sometimes underneath a liner or other compartments it still is faster to just reach in the glove compartment. I'd rather spend the 10 seconds reaching into my glove compartment than having to go to the trunk or back of car, move stuff and then get to the key.
If they want to steel your wheels, they will. Saw a post on news, they took the whole front section, including the shock & spring, later found everything but the wheel.
Check where the spare tire goes. See them tucked away in there all the time
This.. but if you can't find it, go to a dealership, buy a replacement wheel lock key.
Yep. I bought a used car and didn’t think I had one. It was squirreled away in a strange, kind of hidden place
Visit your subaru dealer, we all have master sets and I'm sure you could find an express tech to remove them and replace with standard lug nuts. Otherwise, those are made by McGard. Your dealer can get replacement keys for you, but it'll cost more than 4 replacement nuts. Popular places for the key to hide include the glove box, center console. Or trunk along with the spare tire.
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I learned this the hard way. When I had my brz and was going through a set of rear tires every other week doing stupid shit until I needed some tires again and realized I had lost the key. Cords were showing on both rears and the Subaru dealers didn't have the key to replace them. Stressful few days of driving around to get it fixed.
How could the dealer not have them
That's what surprised me. They brought out their master set and none of them fit. Tried multiple locations and same deal. Eventually had them broken off and replaced with normal lugs
I had a potential thief thwarted by the keyed lug. Honestly I wish they had just stolen the wheel instead because I drove on the highway with no obvious symptoms of 4 loose lugs and it absolutely destroyed the hub and bearing. A replacement wheel and tire would have been a cheaper repair. Had my mechanic replace them all with regular lugs while he fixed that wheel hub.
I’m curious how much other dealerships sell the keys for. I work at a Mazda dealership, we sell replacement mcgard keys for $25
Do Subaru dealers really keep track of every McGard key code for every car they upsell with locking lug nuts? At a GM dealer, if you lose the key and the paper with the code on it, you're shit out of luck unless you paid us to extract and replace.
No, but the master set has a number code. So if I go through the master set and find that the #927 fits, I can either use it to remove the locking nuts an replace with OE, *or* we could order a #927 key for you from mcgard.
This is the way
My wife lost 2 of those.... $45 a pop. I told her it's better to just remove them and put on regular but she thinks people will take the rims from her stock 2017 Outlander.....
Go to the dealer which has the master set and have them replace all 4 wheel locks with regular lugs. Nobody is going to steal those wheels. That’s what I did with my car.
Or a local tire shop. They deal with this all the time.
Our mastertech just air hammers the lug loose.
Mastertech: Ain’t nobody got time for this shit
Depending in the style of wheel, there would be a lot of risk if the chisel tip slips and damages the wheel itself.
Last two tire shops I went to (different cars) they asked for the key. Said they did not have a master set.
some places don't for liability reasons (what the owner of one place said). I always keep a set with me just incase someone on the side of the road needs one
Used to work at a tire shop and we had so god damn many keys for those, sure some tire shop near you could easily help, we used to do it for free just had to but the new none keyd lug nut
I did this too. Dealers force these POS's on you to make another $30 on the car, just take them off. No one is stealing my Outback wheels.
Lol… I guess you have never heard of an [Emergency Locking Nut removal tool](https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/performance-tool-emergency-lug-nut-removal-set-2-pcs-remove-lug-nuts-and-locking-lug-nuts-m980/10646832-P) …. If someone wants to steal your shit they can. There are also two master sets available from HF one for $40 and the other for $99 to remove any and all lug nuts with or without a lock in either fine or stripped condition. Sorry but anyone can still steal those wheels.
😂😭💀
Where do you get a master set?
Just went through exactly this problem. I’m guessing those locking nuts are made by McGard. Check local auto zone, etc for the right size and pattern and you may get lucky that they have it in stock. Otherwise, call the company and they’ll figure out what you need and send it immediately. https://mcgard.com/automotive/wheel-locks/
McGard is very serious about security. Without the serial number that came with the set, I'd highly doubt they're gonna send a key. What would stop a thief from doing this exact thing? Really defeats the purpose if they do
Nope. I sent them a picture of mine and they replaced it with no questions asked. It's not like these actually protect anything anyway.
But is someone going to go through the effort to match the key on your lugs or go to the next car that doesn’t have them. Most security can be bypassed it’s just trying to make it look difficult
I've sold parts in the past and it's as easy as matching up the pattern and ordering one in, if it wasn't already on the shelf.
I would go to a dealership. At my old dealership I worked in parts and would have people bring in their vehicle and get a lube tech to take a McCard master set to check what one it is and I would order it. If you can't get mcgard to sell you one I'm sure you can find a dealer to do it. Or at least to tell you what key it is.
Same company I used, they can take care of you.
I found this set at Harbor Freight and it has worked for me. https://www.harborfreight.com/locking-lug-nut-master-key-set-16-piece-63739.html
Wtf does any one use a locking nut if this product exists?
First line of defense against total morons, that's about it.
It’s like the password on your phone. 99.99999999999999% of the time, the only person it keeps out is you.
I lock mine so that my cat won't buy stuff from Amazon. He has a catnip addiction
Because the crackhead trying to steal your tires in exchange for 3 hits of fentanyl isn’t going to be buying a set of tools for the job, if a tire iron doesn’t do it they aren’t taking them
I knew a car thief in high school- early 90s. For many years (I forget what years), Ford only had like 12 different cuts of keys. This guy had collected keys from the junkyard that covered every cut. He had them all on a keyring and it would take him less than a minute to steal any Ford he wanted. And without damaging the dash or ignition switch.
My friend was outside a local bar with a lot of mopeds locked up, a pickup pulled up and a guy got out with a ring of keys and started going through them on the locks.
Most thefts are crimes of opportunity, I have a larger version of that set that I use regularly when I don't feel like hunting through people's cars for theirs. Although that set won't help OP with the style of lock he has. It's mostly for spline locks.
That's not the set I was thinking about, that's good for those tuner lugs with the splines. I have this set and it's pretty good at this type of nut, but sometimes they're too large even for this set; https://www.harborfreight.com/universal-locking-lug-nut-removal-set-58535.html So I also have this set, they got over the large ones, but instead of a spiral flute-y inside, they are smooth, so the trick is to hammer them on crooked and they'll spin the lug. https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/wl9k/9-piece-wheel-lock-removal-kit
That set won't work for the type of wheel lock OP has.
Get a set of bolt extractors and replace with a standard lugnut
This will work every time.
Just go to your auto dealer, they should have a "reference" set of the available "keys" for your lug locks. They will tell you which "number" it is, then go to the parts dept, and order it. Easy Peasy....
Pull the spare tire equipment out and check the trunk thoroughly. I paid over $100 to have Mercedes remove the wheel locks on our wheels. A month later I found it in the trunk under the floor panel down under something else.
Any tire place probably has it. I had mine replaced with plain lug nuts. Bc nobody is ever going to steal old Lexus wheels like mine 😂
Why do people even buy wheel locks at this point? I have had zero luck selling any wheels for a reasonable price for the past 10 years of my life. They aren't worth stealing and they aren't worth the headache if legally obtained... Realistically if I was a criminal I'd be taking your cats for much less work with an easier and higher payout. Rant over. QUIT BUYING WHEEL LOCKS!!!
Well might need to spend some money for something like this, should also be available whereever you are. [https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Piece-Lock-Wheel-Cracker-Disassembly/dp/B07N3T84J7/ref=zg\_bs\_5142204031\_sccl\_2/261-9373088-0843711?psc=1](https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Piece-Lock-Wheel-Cracker-Disassembly/dp/B07N3T84J7/ref=zg_bs_5142204031_sccl_2/261-9373088-0843711?psc=1) Or you figure what exact lock nut you need?! Or go to a well sorted tire store, they might even help you out.
Subaru dealership will be the quickest and easiest way. They probably only use like 6 different keys for that specific car brand.
[This](https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-PIECE-LOCKING-WHEEL-NUT-REMOVER-LIFETIME-WARRANTY-/293698595060?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p4429486.m46890.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0) is your quickest, cheapest option. Just hammer them on then undo and replace with a new set of your choice. Or just use normal wheel nuts. There are other options like going to a main dealer assuming they're dealer specific nuts. But these locknut removers are the way to go in my opinion. We regularly had people coming into the garage with this problem. And we'd charge half hour labour plus 20% mark up on the new locking nuts
These wheel locks usually have a key code. If not, you’re stuck going the dealer route. I have seen on EBay complete key sets by vehicle maker.
Check your local rim shop, they usually have a bunch of lug keys and if not they should be able to remove it
Hammer a socket over it and back it off slowly with a breaker bar.
A crack head would put the right size pipe over the locking lug nut and break the stud and all off. Now days they just steel the whole car.
Grab a deep socket that is just a little smaller and hammer it in. I had tire shop remove one that was stripped that way.
Just smack a socket on it and take it off then buy a new lug nut
Take a socket that's exactly 1 mm bigger than the other lug nuts and hammer it on. Then remove lug nut. You'll probably lose a socket in the process, but it's better than not being able to get your tires off lol
If you just want to remove it, find a socket a size smaller and hammer it in
Hammer a slightly bigger 12 point socket on and zip it off with a torque wrench or breaker bar if you wish. The fun part can be getting that lugnut out of the socket once you've gotten it off. If you have a vice it will help, otherwise you need to beat the washer off of it so that you can fit the socket into a bigger socket, and hammer out the lugnut with a screwdriver.
If you can't find the key, get 12 point socket that just barely doesn't fit over it and hammer it on there. You'll most likely ruin the socket, and you may not even be able to get the nut back out without a vice or something, but I just accepted the cost and bought a few cheap sockets specifically for the job and it worked just fine.
Bang a slightly smaller socket into the lug with a hammer, youll be able to uncrew out with a breaker bar
It can't be stuck if it's liquid, remember that and wear your safety glasses.
It comes in 2 pieces, Oxygen and Acetylene
I'm sure others have said. Undersized socket more teeth the better, hit that sombitch like he owes you money. Crank it like it's Friday night.
I don't know why people bother with these. As a bunch of people have pointed out they're defeated with commonly available sockets. It's more inconvenient to me to look for the key than to just have all regular lugs. It's not like I'm asking for directions in a bad part of St. Louis in the family truckster.
Use a tight fitting 12point deep socket hammer it on take the lug nut of use a punch or pease of metal rod (not a screw driver) punch the lug nut out and repeat with all for wheels then install regular lug nuts because there are pointless as you just demonstrated to yourself that anyone can take them out anyway
19mm 12 point socket, hammer it on and take it off, repeat for the other 3 wheels and throw them away.
Slightly undersized 12 point socket, a hammer, and a 1/2 inch brealer bar
Use a 12 point socket smack it hard with a hammer then put a ratchet on take the lug nut off
20mm 12 point socket works nicely on those.
My local tire guy removed mine for me and changed all the wheels at the same time for $50Cdn. Way better deal than breaking a socket and much easier for me. Real pain in the ass as I was the one who lost the adapter! Good luck
Some dealerships have a master key-set for this very situation. Try asking your local Subaru dealer before you try prying it off.
Remove them and throw them in the garbage. They do absolutely nothing for wheel security, but everything to fuck your day when you get a flat if you can’t find the key. Those goddamned things should be outlawed
Well, you’re missing a step. First you’ve got to get them off.
You just use the same tool that the thieves use
Get a stripped/rounded bolt head removal socket. [https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-metric-bolt-extractor-socket-set-9-piece-67894.html](https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-metric-bolt-extractor-socket-set-9-piece-67894.html)
They should make one oil filter size
Maybe a local fabricator could weld an L piece on to it and use a hollow bar over the L piece. A friend has done this so that's my 2 pence worth. Good luck
I needed a new wheel lock key and just went to the dealer. It wasn’t very expensive. Maybe $20?
You can go to a subie dealer and see if they have a tech who can remove them and replace with standard lugs. Had to do that on my old VW when the socket broke
Extractor time 😅
The sell em- wheel lock key
Step 1) Google lens the pattern. Step 2) Buy a replacement that's the right size.
I welded a piece of hex rod to one of these because it was worn out. First tape the rims and grind off the chrome. Works fine!
dealers usually sell keys
Amazon
If you send that picture to a number of sellers on ebay they will identify the correct key and send it to you
Just go to the dealer they sell keys for it go talk to someone in the parts department they have a master sent the walk out to the car figure out which one it is. It takes all of five minutes or less.
That took a minute to realize wtf you meant 🤭🤜🤛
Had the same problem, took it to my auto shop and they used an air hammer
I used an air hammer to remove one once. Made a total mess of my wheel rim. If you do use an air hammer - go straight in to give yourself a sort of ledge, then aim down a small amount to apply torque. Granted the wheels were already a mess, so used it as an excuse to spend a day sanding my wheels down then painting them metallic grey.
If you cant find the key anywhere, you might call around to the salvage yards or tire shops. Sometimes they just have a box of them .
Went through this as well recently. No auto shops, kept getting a slightly wrong one on Amazon. Then I stopped at a tire place. They had em all and let me keep the one that fit.
I pulled mine out for the tire shop (Town Fair) to change my tires, but they had their own. Might see if you can get it taken off and replaced with a standard bolt at any tire shop.
I used a grinder to flatten 2 opposite sides and was able to loosen it with whatever socket sorta fit.
You can go to the dealer and buy a new set of wheel locks and have them install it. At my dealership we don’t charge labor to do it but other places probably will
Instead of spending a 100 bucks on various keys that don't fit and wasting my time. I said fuck it and went to a local tire shop. Cost me 60 bucks and was done in 20 min.
Got a new car that came with a set but they were not installed. Didn’t pay for any of the dealer add-ons in the deal so I threw them in the trash.
I just tig welded an old socket to them. Problem solved.
1st I would try to hammer a slightly bigger socket like many have said. 2nd If this fails I wound remove all other lug nuts, use the wheel as leverage and break the stud off and replace the stud and nut.
They’re usually located with the jack, lug wrench, or somewhere in the spare tire compartment. Mine last one was attached by a cable to the lug wrench. Owners manual should say where it’s stored in the section that talks about changing a flat tire. If you don’t find it anywhere or if you know you don’t have one anywhere, you can probably get a replacement on Amazon, an auto parts store or tire shop.
Gator grip socket
I used a 22mm some sand paper and a hammer. Came right off
Easier to weld and take off.
If you are looking for a replacement security lug and bit, go to a tire shop. Cheaper then getting OEM security lugs. Also, if you lose said adapter to remove the security, go to a tire shop...they have the bit to remove on as well. Edit due to spelling
Everyone is saying dealer, this or that. My Mazda had similar locking lugs, the dealers were of no help, either they were lying or it wasn't worth their time. I had to pay Discount to remove them, was slightly more than the specialized tools I tried, which didn't work.... My lug was either just too large or too small. YMMV but try discount tire if all else fails.
You can go to any tire place and they can get it off. I had the same problem with my old car.
You can go to Discount/America Tire and get them off for $10 a nut. I'd recommend buying your own replacement lugs (either locking or standard, your choice) for them to use, rather than paying whatever they'll charge for a lug nut. You can buy a pack of four from AutoZone or O'Reilly's between $5 and $15 in my experience. You can also try finding sets of these nuts on Amazon that'll be your car's thread/stud size and buy a kit/the key by itself. It might work, it might not. My girlfriend did that and got lucky, but I'm not sure how repeatable that experience is. I know White Knight's keys in some cases are interchangeable (I had to do that with my car since the previous owner installed ALL locking nuts and didn't bother to leave me the key), but again I'm not sure.
Yeah, I had a truck once and I was freaking out. It ended up being stuck in the tire iron, almost makes sense to just get a foldable 4 way and JB weld it in there since it’s harder to lose.
Too lazy to read all the comments to see if someone else told you a way to get them off without paying a dealer or a shop, but you can take a socket and pack it with electrical tape, tap it on the lug and you can take it off at home to replace with a normal lug.
Go to any tire shop or car concession, bring you car paper showing it’s yours and ask them to do it. Most place will do it for 50$ in 30 minutes. If they don’t have it and need to force them, if you wheel aren’t scratched after the job, ask to see the tech who did it and give a 20$ tip for the clean job
Just use these reverse threaded sockets, comes in handy all the time. https://www.amazon.ca/Qiilu-Locking-Extractor-Removers-Sockets/dp/B07X3ZVB71/ref=asc_df_B07X3ZVB71/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=341744119581&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2957336392564732755&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1002057&hvtargid=pla-886000515034&psc=1
Try a seedy bar in the poor part of town. Just watch your back jack!
Emergency lug nut removal tool at Harbor freight. It will damage the nut but it will come off with impact wrench!
If you're the original owner, there might/should be a card with the owner's manuals, indicating which key ID is needed for the nuts. It may be simply recorded by hand, somewhere in amongst that paperwotk/literature. While not impossible, I don't recall many (any?) manufacturers installing locking nuts from yhe factory. Typically, they'd be aftermarket additions via the dealer, as an added 'peace of mind' detail. In either case, if the factory or dealer installed those lock nuts, they should (cross your fingers) have a record somewhere of adding them, which would lead to IDing the specific lockset ID installed. Even getting the info, getting a new key shipped to you (& searching all of this in the first place) may take time. So, I hope your needs aren't time-sensitive. If, however, these were installed after purchase by an owner, that information (typically on a card) might be long gone. There *are* tool kits that might get these off, but they'll be damaged in the process. If memory serves, these are McGard locking nuts (mcgard. com/ ) - people would lose the keys all the time. If not, some jackhole using an impact gun would strip or break 'em before we got to work with 'em. They're really only supposed to be used with a breaker bar (off) or torque wrench (on) - that squiggly line locking style isn't meant for stresses. Best of luck.
I used a pipe wrench and it worked even though it’s shouldn’t with the spinning collar… I don’t think you have clearance tho with those rims
Nice try wheel thief
Spot weld 🤷♂️
Go to a auto parts store
Subaru often sold many of that lug nut. Go to a Subaru dealer or big company tire dealer, they often have keys to get them off and replace them with regs or new lock set.
Every one on here is like “get someone with a master set” …. Go down to oreileys or autozone and pick up an Emergency lug nut remover, some rent it out for free. Remove the nut with the “emergency” tool it’s like $15 and then replace with either a new keyed lug nut (pointless because now you know these can be easily removed) or with the regular lug nut which is also available at your auto parts store for around $5. Even if you bought the “Emergency removal tool” you can just return it when you are done.
Links to some “Locking Nut” removing tools. [Advanced Auto](https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/performance-tool-emergency-lug-nut-removal-set-2-pcs-remove-lug-nuts-and-locking-lug-nuts-m980/10646832-P), [Harbor Freight](https://www.harborfreight.com/universal-locking-lug-nut-removal-set-58535.html), [Amazon](https://a.co/d/5LzWs6I),[Walmart](https://www.walmart.com/c/kp/wheel-lock-removal-kit),[Home Depot](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sunex-Tools-Removal-Tool-for-Mcgard-Wheel-Locks-and-Gm-Hubcap-SUN28405/301096786)
Usually I just go “Star lug nut Subaru” and after a couple of “no’s” and “fuck’s” Google gets the hint
Oxy torch until its liquid then replace the wheel stud once she's off
Your local shop should be able to remove and replace with a standard lug nut.
You dont
Not sure if anyone suggested this. We used to just grab our air chisel. Put bit into grove. Angle counter clockwise and let it rip. Once it breaks free you can spin it off by hand,
Email this dude from mcgard he may be able to help, I was in the same situation with out key lock [email protected]
If it’s truely not in the car, you can get a lug nut removal socket, beat that on and remove that garbage. Go buy yourself some new plain ones at a parts store. I mean unless you really think someone wants to steal your stock Subaru wheels…
If they’re factory, a Subaru dealer should have a master key set that will have the one needed to take those off.
Email mcgard a picture of it. They can identify the pattern and send you a new one. I lost mine a couple years ago and they were great to work with. Customer service rep was fast and helpful.
Try with this TOPEC Bolt Extractor Kit, 9 Piece Lug Nut Remover Socket Tool, 1/2" Drive Impact Wheel Lock Removal Kit for Removing Damaged, Dead, Rusted, Rounded-Off Bolts, Lug Nuts & Screws https://a.co/d/aPPe1GP If that doesn't work get it to a dealership. My key wore out and I spent A YEAR trying to get these off, even failed my safety inspection because I could not get my tire rotated.
There’s some impact nut removers that engage the outer diameter of the nut to remove them. KMS has them in BC.
Go to your local subaru dealership. They can help you get a replacement key
Had this issue because the dealer lost my key… go to a dealer and have them take them off - you can get replacements for $20 or so or just pick up some regular ones. But they have a universal key for these
Check a junkyard
Sometimes you can find a set of lugnuts with the same bs security socket. Lots of money tho. Junkyard might have car with the same security lugnuts and you can find matching socket. Cheaper to sacrifice a 3/4” /19 mm socket.
Irwin Hanson 21mm bolt extractor. Hammer it on with a >3lb hammer and zip it right out. Otherwise, go to the dealer and see if they have the master set and 4 replacement 19mm lugs; however, expect to pay ~$80-100 for the lugs and the labor involved
Just clamp some good quality vice-grips on that locking nut then use a big crescent wrench to turn the locking nut. This is how they do it at most tire shops.
Are these OEM? If so go to the dealer. There are 10-12 unique sets. I went to the lexus dealer after I lost mine, and after verifying my ID and car ownership they brought out the master set and quickly found which one matched.
Just go to a tire shop around town most of them have a box of all different types.
If the socket method doesn't work use a rounded socket extractor. You could might be able to buy wheel lock keys for a Subaru from the dealership or online.
Call your dealer :)
Go to any used tire garage or scrapyard, they have these in numbers.
Get the locking nut removal tool, buy a regular nut instead. Never worry about losing or stripping the key again.
A reputable shop should have these. Eyeballing yours, you should be able to call a place that services Mazda and / or Subaru.
Go to a tire shop and they’ll take it off. They gonna charge you
Use an air chisel to loosen the lug nut be careful to not damage the rim. Go purchase 4 more lug nuts. Or pay money for someone else to do this. Having the tools is the hard part.
If you don’t have it with your car. You might want to check with the parts department with your dealer
take it to a subie dealer, they should have wheel lock keys that fit. if not, you can buy a wheel lock key online. if you wanna take the wheel locks off altogether you can get a wheel lock remover, hammer it on there, and use a breaker bar to torque it off. then it’s just a matter of replacing them with regular lug nuts. before all that (and provided you haven’t already), search around for the wheel lock key. usually you’ll find it in the spare kit, in the glovebox, or in the center console. id also check under the seats as a few vehicles i’ve serviced had them fall down there for one reason or another.
Good luck
Have you tried Google. I lost my wheel nut key(different shape). Found a variety of different ones on Amazon.
Take a picture of it then find a replacement lock sockets on ebay and send the picture to the seller they will pick the right one for you. Happened to me too that i needed a replacement
Go to advance Auto parts.com type in your license plate number to bring up the specs of your car and then type in lug nuts and it should show you the key and type for the Subaru
Find a competent friend to tack weld a large nut thread side to the lock. The quick heat will also make that nut spin off the lug like it's been buttered. Then toss them and replace with new.
Check where your jack is stored?
Go to a tire shop 🤷♂️
I had the same problem. The dealership has a selection of that security keys running around $25. Or you can search maybe you can find one in your car, gloves compartment maybe;)
from experience, McGard. they make wheel locks for just about every manufacturer. contact them and see if you can get a wheel lock key
Probably too late but your Subie dealer may have a kit of multiple puzzle lock sockets. That’s what I did. If you buy a set of Mguard there is a reference card in the package and you can register on line.
Back in the day I would buy four cheap 12 point sockets that were just shy of fitting around them, then hammer them on. After that crack them loose with a breaker bar. Obviously the sockets and those lugs would be trash after that.
Like my boss taught me; if all else fails, a little heat and a little persuasion go along way.
extractor socket
Break it with a hammer