Lug Nut Question

I just bought a 96 eclipse gst. I bought it from a guy who bought it from an auction and it was a repo. It has one of the locking lug nuts that you need the specific shape socket to get them off with. The problem I am having is that the car didn't come with the socket. If anyone has any suggestions on how to get them off that would be great. Thanks :smile:

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but generally there is no easy way to get them off. Every key is different, so it is unlikely that you will be able to find a key.

However I have heard of some methods of removing them, but I cant vouch for them personally. They are all royal pains in the ass, which you can kinda expect, since the purpose of a locknut was to keep people without a key from removing the wheels.

1) Find a socket that almost fits over the locknut and use a hammer to drive it onto the nut, then remove as normal. This will destroy the nut and socket, and may not even work...this might just make things worse.

2) Break it off...however you can. This can be VERY difficult and will generally damage the wheel stud and wheels. If you don't care about the wheels you may have some success torching the locknuts off. This method might do considerable damage, and may be a huge pain in the ass.

3) Pay someone to do it. I have heard that some dealerships have universal keys or locknut removal equipment designed for people who lost the key. This might be the best way, look into it, take it to a dealership.

Good luck

I would try the socket approach first. Its the easiest to try, but usually does not work.

Try not to break it off. It is very tough to do and it's easy to damage the wheel at the same time.

I have used a hammer and chisel to get them off. Sometimes, you can use the chisel to cut a small notch in the side, (or cut one with an angle grinder) then use the end of the chisel in the notch and whack it in such a way as to unscrew it. Often, it will start to rotate.
An air chisel makes this quite easy.
Otherwise, try a shop that can weld an ordinary lugnut to the end and then unscrew them both.

If you have a dremel with metal cutting abilities, you might be able to drill a pattern out of the sides of the locking pattern to get something that a wrench will grab.

use the chisel method. It can also be done with a good flathead screwdriver sometimes.