3 replies to this topic

[Langers#56]

I have a 97 MPI went to undo the wheel nut and now the socket end of the nut just spins any idea what I can do? Also to top it off socket is stuck ((

[ibrooks]

Want to try that again but in English?

 

What's "the socket end of the nut" supposed to mean?

 

Some locking wheel nuts have a pretty chrome cover that looks like a normal wheel nut. Have you forced a socket onto one of those? if so then yes it'll just spin without undoing the wheel nut - you need to remove it and use the correct "key" to turn the wheel nut underneath. Hopefully turning it whilst gently pulling it away from the wheel will remove it. Getting it back out of the socket may be more challenging (at least getting it out in one piece and in something like the original shape).

 

The covers are often a pain as they corrode onto the locking wheel nut and are a bu@@er to remove - if you absolutely must re-fit them then clean out any corrosion (usually white powdery stuff) and smear the inside with copper grease before putting them back on. Assume that the next time you need to remove it will be because you have a puncture on a cold dark rainy night and you'll see the wisdom of putting in a little effort to make it a quick easy process.

 

Iain

[spiguy]

It will be those stupid Rover wheel nuts with the Chrome cover over them. They always end up like this eventually. You will probably need to try to remove the cover, then try different sized sockets  on the solid nut which is underneath (an imperial socket will probably be your best fit). I have had to do this many times. I usually use molegrips and try to wiggle the cover off by going side to side. It can be difficult. If you can't get it off that way then you can pierce the cover (it's not very thick) and basically just mangle it off - ie using snips, sharp screwdriver etc. The challenge is to achieve this without marking the wheel. Just take your time. Once off, you can always just refit the nut without the cover and carry a torque wrench or similar extension, plus the socket that fits it. After that it's up to you if you buy a new nut / nuts or just carry on this way.

[brivinci]

Carlukemini has it right. These Rover lugs look nice but are a very poor design. Ashame as they really do look nice on the car. Here is what they look like with and without the cover. You can use some vise-grips and screwdriver to pry them off. Just be careful of the wheels.