[MatthewL]

Hi. My local garage has destroyed the key for my locking wheel nuts with their windy gun. It’s the type with a smooth round outer and 2 grooves which the key lines up with. Any tips on getting these off? Matthew

[220 GSi turbo]

I have used a ring spanner before, with a couple of screwdrivers poked through to engage with the recesses in the nut. It will work as long as the nut hasn't been overtightened. It is also possible to buy a universal locking wheelnut tool that grips on to the nut as you apply the anticlockwise torque.

Your damaged tool will have a letter or number stamped in to the top of it and if you quote this to Rimmers or one of the other suppliers who still have stock of the tools, you may be able to get a new one (and charge your local garage accordingly!)

[MatthewL]

Nice one! I’ll try Rimmers first then. Very annoying as usually they are a great garage. They did all my bushes and drop links for a very reasonable price. This is out of character for them. Once these are off they are staying off. Can’t see any scenario of my wheels getting nicked as it’s not 1995 any more! I’ve ordered 16 replacement wheelnuts which I hope are an exact match when they arrive. I noticed that despite being on ridiculously tight, the 2 of the nut ends rattled. Not reassuring.

[RoverRevival]

pop over the hill mat, i have almost every rover key, might even be able to replace the locking ones with normal nuts too

[MatthewL]

Hello! Just had a look - I’m about an hour away which isn't far. Are you open w/c 19th Dec? I have a rare week off work - I could do with help on the wheel nuts, removing a near welded in lambda sensor (bought a replacement Bosch one and can’t remove the original!) and perhaps get a quote for some bodywork - I’m also getting a quote from the guy who taught me to weld! Very sorry - don’t know your name? Cheers. Matthew

[carfixmobile]

Craig

[RoverRevival]

Not sure i'll be able to fit the other work in this side of christmas.
We are open everyday excpet saturdays as i'm usually out collecting or delivering.

[Topcat Tomcat]

I had a similar problem with the 75 a few months ago.

A local tyre place removed them very easily for nothing after doing the same. They used some special kit that was hammered on to the nut which moulds to the shape of nut. This gives sufficient grip to remove it, although it does wreck the nut.

I’ve replaced all my locking nuts because I was fed up with all the problems that they cause

[MatthewL]

By rights my local garage should sort this but as ever it’s getting time to go down there. I also need my replacement nuts to arrive first. It’s not too urgent at least.

Just bought some white spot new heater knobs from EBay but I think it may be the mechanism behind that’s slipped. Centre console out again. Well, I’m getting pretty slick at doing it now at least.

[Monster Hunter]

Hamer a smaller socket over them...
H