The other day, my sister got a flat tire so she called my dad and I to hep her out. The snows are on and were installed by the shop. It took both of us to leverage off the nuts with the cross bar. Finally we get to the wheel lock and the fucking key breaks. What a piece of shit. But it was probably because the shop tightened them with the impact gun. So we had no choice but to call roadside assistance. After 30 minutes on hold, they tell us it's at least a 3 hour wait So we end up going to Wal-mart and get one of those emergency tire repair kits which worked very well, until I fill up the tire and see two bulges in the sidewall from my sister driving around on the flat.

Lessons learned:
1. Install wheels yourself
2. Don't use wheel locks ever again
3. Women really need to educate themselves on basic car maintenance and be aware of what is going on with the car when they are driving

 

I experienced similar bullshit with wheel locks. For reference https://acurazine.com/forums/ramblings-12/tahoe-new-years-165027/

I feel your pain.

 

what shop did you go to?

i usually go to discount tire and they always use a torque wrench

 

Probably factory locks, huh?

They're usually the ones made by McGard.... which suck.

That's why I replaced them with Gorilla locks.

 

As you mentioned the problem has nothing to do with the lugs/locks it has to do with the grease monkey that's too lazy to put them on with a torque wrench. Last time a mechanic did that he stripped one of the studs and it snapped off when I tried to remove the lug.

 

Torque wrench.

We do all our wheel changes/rotations at home (thanks to a great jack & torque wrench). If you're going to have a shop do it, ask them to use a torque wrench, and always double-check them at home (you'll sometimes find they weren't even tightened all the way).

 

Seems like the "PITA" part was due to your mechanics' indifference. You could also install cheap steelies so no one will want to steal it thus never have to worry about wheel locks at all.

And not all women don't know how to change a flat. Heck, my 28yrs old brother in law doesn't know how to change a flat.

 

my 24 yr old brother didnt know how to change a flat until i showed him recently

 

The rims are just plain steelers, they just put the locks on cause that's what was already on the car. But honestly I won't be getting another set when the rims go back on. If the shop can take off the locks with no key, I think someone who really wants the rims will be able to take them off. I don't want to get stranded again, especially if it's somewhere in the boonies.

 

Seeing your car on cinder blocks without wheels is a PITA

Wheel locks are just a worthwhile minor annoyance, buy high quality ones and torque em yourself, any dipshit with a torque wrench can strip your wheels, wheel locks or crack your brake rotors.

 

Like I said before, if someone really wants my rims they will take them.

Wheel Lock Remover

They're just the stock rims, I'm willing to take my chances.

 

from my experience, those Mcgards are crap. They are very weak. I use Gorilla wheels lock that came with my aftermarket tires. They are stronger then your normal lugs.

I have noticed alot of newer cars coming with similar wheel locks like the Mcgard. Throw them away. My bro's Lexus came with them...they broke as well.

 

Yep. I dont even bother with them.

 

neither do, unless my insurance requires me to have them I don't care.