2005 Ford Focus Zetec Broken Locking Alloy Nut

[porsche356ss]

Hi There,

I was wondering if anyone on the forum has any experience, or information, regarding problems with the locking alloy nuts?. I got a flat yesterday and went to take the alloy off so that I could run down to a garage on the spare. I took out what I was told was the correct alloy locking nut key, fitted this into the wheel brace and proceeded to try and open the nut. Unfortunately the center piece of the locking nut just sheared off and now the car has had to be towed to a garage?. Before the garage tells me this was my fault (could be?) or quotes wear and tear I was wondering if anyone has any experience. The alloys are on a 2005MY Ford Focus Zetec and the car was bought second hand within the last six months. The locking nut key has what I believe the industry calls an A7 star profile.

[TomB985]

Not to nitpick here, but they never put the Zetec in the '05s...it's called Duratec.......

Anyway....

There's nothing you can do, short of overtorquing the locking nut the wrong way that should shear off the locking key. Has to be a manufacturing defect...Ford should replace it under warranty

[porsche356ss]

Hi,

Thanks for the feedback, the garage removed and replaced all locking nuts on the car under warranty so no complaints. By the way I know it's a Duratec engine I was actually referring to the model designation - Zetec.