20 replies to this topic

[minisilverbullet]

A non mini technical - I know we all like a challagen; that's why we own mini right? See if you can help.

I bought a BMW 3 series touring a couple fo months ago. I was going to inspect the rear discs, as it turns out the previous owner hasn't seen fit to include the locking wheel nut key.

I have tried knocking a socket over, and have even managed to spilt a couple. The problem is the heads of the bolts are almost round and have a couple of notches for the original key to grip onto.

I have bought a "locking wheel bolt remover kit" which is absolutely gash and it cost 35 quid. Basically a socket set with a reverse threaded inner, which cuts its own thread. Managed to remove one bolt with this kit and not the bolt is well and truly stuck in the tool. tried to get it out on a vice an breaker bar but the bolt ended up snapping. it was well and truly in-there.

I know you can weld a nut onto the end, i cant weld, I don't have much aspiration to pay someone else.

Any ideas?

[SA MINI]

Some times you can wack a multi-spline socket on to the locking nut then remove with a breaker bar. Those locking wheel nut remover sockets are very good, I've not seen one that cuts a thread though. Only has off set splines that dig into the nut head.
Give the multi spline socket a go. Remember the nuts are very soft alloy so they could break. But that's not a problem if the head snaps off. Then you can remove the wheel & then use a punch to remove the rest of the bolt.

[jb93]

Could you contact the previous owner?

[Tamworthbay]

Are they nuts or studs? If they are studs you can drill a hole in they buy a left hand thread bolt (any decent fasteners place will have them in m6 and m8 at least) and wind it in, it will go so far then then stud will begin to come out. For an m8 you need a 7.6 or 7.8mm drill bit. I had this problem on a 944 and is was a major ball ache until I tried the above, then I had them all out in half an hour.

[minisilverbullet]

Are they nuts or studs? If they are studs you can drill a hole in they buy a left hand thread bolt (any decent fasteners place will have them in m6 and m8 at least) and wind it in, it will go so far then then stud will begin to come out. For an m8 you need a 7.6 or 7.8mm drill bit. I had this problem on a 944 and is was a major ball ache until I tried the above, then I had them all out in half an hour.

Had thought of that, but with an easyout, i though there would too much torque going through it though and it might spin or snap.

Lets just say the communication channels are exhausted with the previous owner after we found out he sold us the car with the wrong miles on the clock.

[Tamworthbay]

Are they nuts or studs? If they are studs you can drill a hole in they buy a left hand thread bolt (any decent fasteners place will have them in m6 and m8 at least) and wind it in, it will go so far then then stud will begin to come out. For an m8 you need a 7.6 or 7.8mm drill bit. I had this problem on a 944 and is was a major ball ache until I tried the above, then I had them all out in half an hour.

Had thought of that, but with an easyout, i though there would too much torque going through it though and it might spin or snap.

Lets just say the communication channels are exhausted with the previous owner after we found out he sold us the car with the wrong miles on the clock.

Easyouts are very brittle and very hard. If you do snap one you will be up the creek. They're also a lot more expensive. Another option is to use a Dremel to make a slot then use an impact driver. Good luck!

[tomm]

Irwin damaged bolt removers, they have never failed to get a locking wheel nut out.

You can get them from screw fix for around £25 and they have become a valuable tool in my box.

If you are anywhere new Rochester swing by and I'll take them out for you.

Sorry for the brief reply, currently on my phone, I'll link the product once I get home.

[ANON]

just find someone who has a proper removal tool, i have but you're a bit far away

how old is the car? could be worth trying bmw

[xrocketengineer]

Maybe this will work for you:
http://www.endeavorp...tion/Id/18.html
http://www.youtube.c...bed/Ny4H27Cs7fI

[minisilverbullet]

They are for sure non original lock studs. The socket i have used is similar to the irwin, it worked reasonably well trouble is the old stud is now total jammed in the socket. Having searched on google, seems that it is the norm. It hasnt helped that the studs must of been tightened by Hulk Hogan the last time.

[minisilverbullet]

Maybe this will work for you:
http://www.endeavorp...tion/Id/18.html
http://www.youtube.c...bed/Ny4H27Cs7fI

WOW! what an ad!

Unfortunately the heads where pretty round to begin with and are now totally round after me arsing around with the next size up remover socket.

[charie t]

I have a big punch, (old drive shaft) and give the offending nut a reet good beating.
A good chisel then takes no effort to spin the old nut off
If after that its still on i've taken to loosening the other wheel nuts, and driving until i feel a vibration.

Edited by charie t, 17 August 2012 - 08:18 PM.

[ANON]

this is what i use...http://www.dynomec.c...ut-remover.html

get yourself one and you'll be surprised how many times you will end up using it. mine paid for itself within a couple of weeks.

Edited by ANON, 17 August 2012 - 09:27 PM.

[minisilverbullet]

Took the car to a backstreet garage in the roughest area of town. The guy literally had them both of in under a minute. Ten quid later and i am a happy man.

Also too worthless tool back to the store for a full refund, happy days!

[charie t]

The guy literally had them both of in under a minute.

How did he do it?