When I was getting my new tyres today, there was a Focus on the ramps. The wheels needed removing during the service. The mechanic couldnt find the wheel nut key. Receptionist phoned the customer who said it had been lost. The garage then quoted 2hrs work to remove the wheel nuts at a cost of 98 quid!!

Dont know if its a big job or not but seemed expensive to me! On the same car the fella working on it was an aprentice, he asked the receptionist "how do I write down on the report that there are little bits of metal sticking out of the wheel?" Receptionist replied "put its down to the ply" of which the receptionist rolled her eyes at me and said loudly "P L Y!" I found that rather funny but it has been a dull morning! lol Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

Last edited by Stevie5tapes on 2nd Mar 2013 11:41 am. Edited 1 time in total

I thought the main dealers had a set of master locking wheel nut keys so it would only take a moment to remove it?
I dont think the dealer ever uses mine when the car goes into service its kept in the dash in a plastic bag buried under all the books etc, never seems to be touched, and they do have the wheels off.

So theres a plonker in a Focus driving round with no way of changing a wheel ? Good grief.

This wasnt at a dealers, just a local garage that services and MOT's any car. Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

They're just having him over - no way does it take 2 hours to remove locking wheel nuts without the locking nut. But then again, someone who drives around knowing they haven't even got the means to remove a wheel in the event of a puncture deserves to be taught an expensive lesson. I bet he'll be more careful with the next locking nut! Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

So ther'es nuts on the wheels?

The biggest nut is the one holding the steering wheel. 2020 Defender D200 110S Pangea Green
Gone: 2018 L550, TD4 SE Tech Auto, Carpathian Grey
Gone: Defender 90 200Tdi, Grey Raptor
Gone: 2012 FL2, TD4 GS Manual, Santorini Black

Best advice is to dump locking wheel nuts altogether. Had one crack on my Disco and the top spun so no way of getting wheel off in an emergency. Took about 30 seconds to remove - strike the top with a chisel to split. Hammer on a reverse threaded tool and unscrew.

That's all well and good Apache but a garage is going to do it without potentially damaging the rim!

Of there isn't a collar that spins on the but then you can tap a socket on. Another way to do it if there is a collar is to drill it out.

With expensive alloys though you'd be an idiot not to have locking wheel nuts on...and your insurance would laugh at you if they got nicked and they found out there was no locking wheel nut! Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

The fella's Focus was 10 years old. The alloys looked scruffy anyway, I though 98 quid was expensive but then again he knew he had lost the key. I wonder if before hand if he had gone to a Ford dealer if they could have used the master set and sell him him a new set for alot cheaper? The fella was quoted 15 quid for a new set (I heard all this when the receptionist was talking to him on the phone)

Or is it cheaper to give some deviant 20 quid as they seem to able to get a full set of alloys off in double quick time without making any noise!!  Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

Big Dave wrote:

That's all well and good Apache but a garage is going to do it without potentially damaging the rim!

Of there isn't a collar that spins on the but then you can tap a socket on. Another way to do it if there is a collar is to drill it out.

With expensive alloys though you'd be an idiot not to have locking wheel nuts on...and your insurance would laugh at you if they got nicked and they found out there was no locking wheel nut!

Mona Geeza wrote:

I thought the main dealers had a set of master locking wheel nut keys so it would only take a moment to remove it?
I dont think the dealer ever uses mine when the car goes into service its kept in the dash in a plastic bag buried under all the books etc, never seems to be touched, and they do have the wheels off.

I worked for a while at a Ford dealer. Yes, in the parts dept. we had a master set and often sold new locking nut tools to those who had lost them.....a lot less than £98!!! John
07 HSE Narvick Black
Land Rover Series One
Triumph Rocket 111 (sadly gone!)

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Bill T Life Honorary Member of Wallasey Motor Club.
Licenced MSA Radio Operator for 35+ years.
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i have had a stuck on wheel nut (not the locking one) and that was less than £98 to remove

there are lots of ways to remove locking wheel nut, all which should not be placed on a public forum to show people how to do it Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis