Replacing a Lock Nut Key

[cmac74]

I need to replace the lock nut key for a 97 explorer . local dealership says it usually takes a week to get it once they can identify the type. Does anyone know of a quicker way to get one? I need to work on the front and can't wait a week.
thanks

[cmac74]

So i've lost the lock nut key for my 97. took it to the nearest dealership. first they said it would be $35-40 and a couple weeks to get it. Really all i want is to get the freakin things off and to replace them with regular lug nuts. The dealership said they could get them off but it would he a half hour of labour.
Would a regular tire shop have key for it? Is there any way i could get it off myself bearing in mind i have no air tools?

[XLT03]

A fix to get it off in a pinch is to get a socket (1/2 inch drive) that fits tightly over it and hammer it onto the locking lug nut and then use a breaker bar to loosen it. Of course your locking lug will be ruined and you will have to replace it with a new one or a non locking lug nut.

No, tire shops will not have a key. They'll do what I mentioned and charge you for the labor.

Let me know what happens. Good Luck.

[cmac74]

I took it by the dealership near my house. They said they could find the right key and then order it. was told $20 and about a week by one guy there, and then $40 and 2-3 weeks if i'm lucky by another guy. all i wanted was to get the lock nuts off to replace them with regular nuts adn this dealership would have charged me for that. so i told them just to match it and we'd go from there. i figured even if i just get the 4 off and replace them it might still be cheaper and quicker then replacing them. but sure enough they didn't have the right one in thier master set. went down the street to a tire shop. htey had a few but no match. wanted an hour labour to get 4 off. i wasnt' into that at all. talked to another dealer who assured me they had all 97 lock nut keys in thier master set. sure enough none of them fit this particular nut. this dealership tried to tell me it was an aftermkt. i was steaming at this point.but then BY DIVINE MIRACLE the snow on my road melted the next week and as i was walking my dog one morning i just happened by chance to notice the lock nut key against the curb. Quite possibly the luckiest day of my life.