Help!! Locking nut key broke!!

Gops

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I've broken my locking nut key!! How do I get my locking nut out without spending £50 charge getting each one removed from a garage? Anybody got any tricks?

Gops
 
Is this a VAG standard key (splined on the inside), another manufacturer, or afermarket?

...If it's either of the latter two, what does it look like?

//R
 
I literally got a dremel, cut the bolt head on the car to a shape as best suitable to fit a socket on the head, then smacked a socket onto the head on the bolt on car, this took several attempts but eventually it was on there firm, which to date still hasnt come apart which I keep as a souvenir lol & this allowed the bar on to undo & then bought new set, was a ball breaker but worked for me.
 
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I would whack a socket on it f but depends what one it is
 
^^^ Yup, that's the common favourite method - and where I was heading. It's not always possible with every nut/stud, but in most cases you can either bang something over it, or into it (depending on the style). It helps if there's a bit of heat in it, but I guess you don't have a gas axe lying around. Of course the only issue is that you're going to have to go through the pain of doing it on each corner - unless there's some way you can bodge the broken key so it'll hold out long enough to get them all out ready for replacement - how exactly has it failed?

//R
 
Its a locking nut key for vauxhall vectra. They apparently are not very good but as i tried to take it off with my air compressed gun, it just snapped. If you've seen the vectra SRi alloys, the nuts are deep inside the alloy. I've got a blow torch, shall i heat it, bang over a socket and try and open it like that?
 
Its a locking nut key for vauxhall vectra.
Ahhhhh now it makes sense. It's not that you've got the stud stuck on the car, you've got the car stuck on the stud ;) - Sorry! Couldn't resist old boy!

tried to take it off with my air compressed gun
Eek! I'm a bit of a softy when it comes to windy-guns. I only ever advocate their use when it really doesn't matter. I reckon they create as much work as they save overall :(

Perhaps the tool that quattrojames suggested might be of some use? The only other thing you might try before going in elbows-first is taking the V5 and the busted key (and the box showing its code - apparently they should come with one) to your nearest stealer and seeing if they'll sort you out a replacement? If they do, get em off and then get some McGards or something else a bit better built.

I'm only thinking along those lines because if the studs are pretty deep into the wheels it's going to make it more difficult to perform a successful bodge, and increase the chances of you damaging the wheels in the process - and it'd be grim to struggle like hell with (/******-up) the first and then be faced with another three to do.

A blow lamp would certainly help if you are going to persevere with a Heath-Robinson solution, but again, if you've not much room for manouvere it might be just another way to exacerbate things...

Keep us informed... and good luck!

Rob.
 
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Are they bolts or studs? Not familiar with Vauxhall's tendancies...

If it's a bolt, then a screw/bolt extractor might be useful - http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/grabit-bolt-screw-remover

I'm guessing from the description of it being deep inside the wheel so to speak then a nut splitter wouldn't be an option if it's a stud type fitting...

Of course failing that, then yeah a cheap-*** socket and a big-*** hammer!:rockwoot:
 
Ahhhhh now it makes sense. It's not that you've got the stud stuck on the car, you've got the car stuck on the stud ;) - Sorry! Couldn't resist old boy!.

Lol your actually right there Rob! the lock nut keys were really crap on vauxhalls.. or was it the other way around? lol.

Thanks for the suggestion guys! Yeah blimmin vauxhalls. Its actually my uncles car but was just about to do some work to it. I'll try tomorrow and see if i get any luck! Thanks guys! I think im going to buy the nut remover quattrojames suggested! Hopefully nothing else breaks hey!! I'll keep you guys posted!

Gops
 
Update... tried to use the socket and hammer method and it didnt work. Im going to try it again with a better socket. I forgot to buy the removal tool from halfrauds but i shall buy it tomorrow and see if it gets it out! I think this is the only bolt that stays on the car:| The others just fall off! lol