Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: daveb on 15 March 2007, 15:43:43
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Hi guys,
Sorry for absence - not been here for a while - very, very long story (not prison though).
I wonder if any of you are able to help.
When I bought my lovely burgundy Omega from an independent garage last July it never occurred to me that they should have given me a locking wheel nut socket. Doh!
Guess what! slow puncture for the last month or so but thought I had better get it repaired. Got to tyre place and no chance of them getting wheels off without it.
Went to local Vauxhall garage and they might just as well have said 'tough s**t'. Best they can do is drill them out for £140 +VAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My friendly local garage could do it, but they reckon on about 2 hours labour as well - £100 ish !!!!
I am more skint than a skint thing at the moment and wondered if by some small miracle anyone out there could lend me a locking wheel nut socket which matches the one I have posted an image of on photobucket. The link to the picture is at the bottom of this text.
I will happily pay for special delivery or other courier costs to get it to me and back to you safely if anyone can help, or even drive to where you are and borrow it for 10 minutes - hopefully not the Outer Hebrides !!
If it helps, my car is a Vreg, year 2000 Omega CD 2.5td saloon.
Any help or ideas greatly appreciated.
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n231/davebattrick/lockingwheel-nut.jpg
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Vauxhall will sell you a key for £25ish if you have the car pass.
They'll also sell you a full set of new locking nuts with a key for the same price (only problem is the key won't fit the old ones)!
Mine were removed (far too easily) with the application of a special socket for removing locking wheel nuts and a little BFI. I don't think they cost too much, but do destroy the wheel nut (so make sure you have a new set or 4 normal ones (as I luckily did!)
Mind you, whats the point of putting locking nuts back on, the theiving little sods who nick alloys all have the removal tools!
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The preferred method of removal is to hammer an old UNDERSIZED socket on to them. My local garage did it in 5mins. :y
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I got a whole set off by just clouting an old socket of an appropriate size onto the locking nut and unscrewing them, thanks to the softness of the steel. No. 3 got stuck in the socket but I figured that having saved 100 quid on a "professional" removal, I could run to a second cheap socket to get number 4 off.
It did occur to me that a wheel thief would have done exactly the same.
On my other car, I had a key practically disintegrate because a tyre depot cowboy did it up with an air hammer. I refused to leave until they had removed all 4 locking nuts and replaced with non-locking.
I often wonder if they're worth the hassle.
Kevin
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Hi chaps,
Thanks for such swift assistance.
I have to say, I do like the thought of hammering a slightly undersized socket over the nut. Each hammer will symbolically wipe the smile off the Vauxhall dealership idiot's smug little face. Tee Hee!
Also, it sounds like it would work!
Thanks.
Dave.
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Do you Know someone who has a similar key,I found an Elite in the scrappy with 3 good wheels for £15 but had locking nuts,when i tryed my key it fitted straight on.
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Try these Dave found at Halfords
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_196491_langId_-1_CarSelectorCatalogId__CarSelectorGroupId__varient__categoryId_71555_crumb_33958-31562-71551_parentcategoryrn_71555
or you could try the old socket trick :y
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Try these Dave found at Halfords
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_196491_langId_-1_CarSelectorCatalogId__CarSelectorGroupId__varient__categoryId_71555_crumb_33958-31562-71551_parentcategoryrn_71555
or you could try the old socket trick :y
Thats why Halfords is full of hoodies [smiley=grin.gif]
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Are you in the RAC / AA? I know an RAC man, he carries a tool to get these buggers off.. So, why not call'em out on the pretext of a very low pressure tyre and get them to wizz 'em all off for a beer or two..
Just a suggestion...
Is that an original VX locker? I insisted that they put new ones on mine when I had it on NetQ, they looked ragged and I didn't want this myther,
Hope you go on ok. let us know.. :(
DC
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I took mine off, as the Vauxhall ones are pretty naff anyway.
The later ones have spinners on to stop the socket trick, so check first...
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The preferred method of removal is to hammer an old UNDERSIZED socket on to them. My local garage did it in 5mins. :y
that was my trick when i took the old wheels off my corsa last year, much cheaper, obviously the inevitable happened and after i'd bought replacement nuts for my new wheels for £35, my old key mysteriously turned up!!
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Once they are off, dont replace them with vauxhall ones, they are sh1te. I got a really good set from a motor factors for about £25.
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The later ones have spinners on to stop the socket trick, so check first...
So do the old style - have look at the link - it's just not a pronounced or as effective as the new style.
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The later ones have spinners on to stop the socket trick, so check first...
So do the old style - have look at the link - it's just not a pronounced or as effective as the new style.
Not sure mine did. Still got them in the garage somewhere, I will check tomorrow...
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those locking bolts are s**t ... seem to remember that VW fitted them to Golf GTI's too. If done up too tight the prongs can shear and/or enlarge the holes in the bolt.
The McGard ones seem to be good ...
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I took mine off, as the Vauxhall ones are pretty naff anyway.
The later ones have spinners on to stop the socket trick, so check first...
You carnt get much later than an 03.....and mine dont have spinners on them :'(
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I took mine off, as the Vauxhall ones are pretty naff anyway.
The later ones have spinners on to stop the socket trick, so check first...
You carnt get much later than an 03.....and mine dont have spinners on them :'(
I think that should be "later lock nuts" and not later cars! ::) I bought a set of lock nuts from Vx a couple of years back and they have a spinner on them. They are the of the 'cake cutter' design.
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Try these Dave found at Halfords
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogI d_10151_productId_196491_langId_-1_CarSelectorCatalogId__CarSelectorGroupId__varient__categoryId_71555_crumb_33958-31562-71551_parentcategoryrn_71555
or you could try the old socket trick
They're the ones I was on about. I tried the socket trick. Worked on one, but mine had the spinners so the stiffer ones wouldn't come loose. These gizmos dig in and crush the spinner onto the nut and allow it to turn.
Another way (if getting desperate) is to tack weld a bolt onto the wheel nut and just use a standard socket.
I'd also agree with the sentiment about not using Vx nuts to replace the removed ones. I reckon that using an air gun to put the nuts back on is probably more secure than using lockers! [smiley=smiley.gif]
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I reckon that using an air gun to put the nuts back on is probably more secure than using lockers! [smiley=smiley.gif]
I reckon that's statement that could return to bite you on the bum on a cold wet night standing at the side of the motorway with a bent wheel brace in your hand! ::) ;D ;D
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You're probably right [smiley=sad.gif], but having a wheel nut key with a bent prong (thanks to a tyre fitter monkey) has the same effect.
The smart arse answer is get 'em really tight, but carry a section of scaftholding pipe to increase the force on the tyre iron. Handy also for road rage! [smiley=grin.gif]
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just to be sure, don't use copper grease when refitting the bolts and doing them up F.T. - leave for a couple of months and they should seize nicely!
Happened on an old company car (Golf GTI) a few years ago, I couldn't shift 'em - the AA man couldn't either, using a 1m extension on the wheel brace, kwik fit split an (undersized) socket trying, eventually it got towed to VW who removed the hub ... (!!!)
Admittedly though that was on one of the standard bolts and not the locking one which would most likely have been destroyed in the process ...
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Hi guys,
Spent two hours this afternoon with a bloody great hammer, some smaller sockets to bash over the locking wheel nuts and all I managed to do was remove plenty of lacquer from around the nut hole (ooer, sounds a bit rude!).
The locking nuts do have the rotating sleeve, but I managed to chisel off this ring dead easily with a screwdriver!! However, I just couldn't get any of my sockets to bash over the nut and grip on. I was worried about doing damage to the wheel, or knowing my luck, flattening my fingers I was hitting it so hard!
Looks like I will be trying the halfords option suggested by Elite Pete.
Thanks again for all the tips.
I will let you know how things go!
Cheers,
Dave.
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Had a Mk1 Granada once, had a wheel NUT seize on the stud, stud's come through the drive shaft / hub, they are sweat fit / splined, drum on top then wheel.. (Flat Steel Wheel- fortunately) Had to grind the nut flat to the wheel then drill the existing nut away, leaving a flush stud. Drum off and replace 1 stud, re-sweated it in, what a sh1te of a job.... I made sure the remaining 19 studs/nuts never, ever never, never, never, ever, never would give me this problem again !!!!
What do we rekon then chaps? Do we use grease / copper slip on our studs / nuts or not... What we say?
DC
I might just run a poll!!
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What do we rekon then chaps? Do we use grease / copper slip on our studs / nuts or not... What we say?
DC
I might just run a poll!!
I always use copper slip on my nuts! ;) ;D
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Hi guys,
Spent two hours this afternoon with a bloody great hammer, some smaller sockets to bash over the locking wheel nuts and all I managed to do was remove plenty of lacquer from around the nut hole (ooer, sounds a bit rude!).
The locking nuts do have the rotating sleeve, but I managed to chisel off this ring dead easily with a screwdriver!! However, I just couldn't get any of my sockets to bash over the nut and grip on. I was worried about doing damage to the wheel, or knowing my luck, flattening my fingers I was hitting it so hard!
Looks like I will be trying the halfords option suggested by Elite Pete.
Thanks again for all the tips.
I will let you know how things go!
Cheers,
Dave.
You could do with one of these (http://i17.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/77/ff/a51d_2.JPG) (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Laser-Locking-wheel-nut-remover-2pc-3291_W0QQitemZ260094143065QQcategoryZ30917QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
I would think they'd work better with a 'windy gun'
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What do we rekon then chaps? Do we use grease / copper slip on our studs / nuts or not... What we say?
DC
I might just run a poll!!
I always use copper slip on my nuts! ;) ;D
:-X
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I always use copper slip on my nuts! ;) ;D
I always said they were a bit strange over Bury way. ;D
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Dave
If they are VX ones then the socket you need is 13/16" once you have removed the spinney thingy. Importantly you need to grind the chamfer of the end of the socket, this means that the "teeth" that normally grip a nut will start to bite onto the locking nut as soon as it starts to hammer on. This gave me enough of a purchase to remove one that needed a scaffold tube as an extension to my ratchet before it gave in!!!!. Dont you just love previous owners!
Best of luck mate.
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I always said they were a bit strange over Bury way. ;D
You'll be OK - I won't offer to grease your's! ::) :y
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Dave
If they are VX ones then the socket you need is 13/16" once you have removed the spinney thingy. Importantly you need to grind the chamfer of the end of the socket, this means that the "teeth" that normally grip a nut will start to bite onto the locking nut as soon as it starts to hammer on. This gave me enough of a purchase to remove one that needed a scaffold tube as an extension to my ratchet before it gave in!!!!. Dont you just love previous owners!
Best of luck mate.
Hi Ricardo,
Yes thery are VX ones. and as many others have already said. I will not be replacing them with VX ones. I have got some from a motor factor for £20. I will be getting one of the locking nut removal sockets with a reverse thread from Halfords when they get some more into stock on Tuesday - then I'll have another go. What a sod!
Dave.
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IIRC it says that your suppose to use an impact wrench with them, but I'm reliably informed that you can get away with a wheel brace.
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Yes thery are VX ones. and as many others have already said. I will not be replacing them with VX ones. I have got some from a motor factor for £20. ......
Have you looked the most recent locking 'nuts' from Vx? I was quite impressed with those that I bought. They are different again from those fitted even to my wifes 52 plate Astra - the spinning collar is most substantial again than hers. Mine were about £16/17 - couple of years back now though.