Key for Locking Wheel Nut

[tomj76]

Last year I bought a used 2008 Cobalt LS with standard steel wheels. Strangely enough, these wheels are secured with a locking wheel nut (lug nut). I was surprised to find this, as I thought that only alloy wheels warrent the extra expense and trouble of locking wheel nuts.

These are the kind of nuts that require a special 'key' adapter to turn.

Does anyone know where I can get the key? I tried Autozone, but not the dealer yet.

[tomj76]

According to my Chevy dealership, the keys are unique, so replacements can't be purchased.

I guess I'll be taking it off with a little brute force.

[tomj76]

I hammered on a slightly undersized 1/2" drive socket to get each locking nut off. One of them was fairly tight, so I had to use an even smaller socket size on that one. The replacements were $2.50 each from Autozone.

[jonjj]

Hi, take a look at www lockingwheelnutsremoved.com . I looked at all of the rubbish online about beating an old socket on, this might have worked 20 years ago but not any more. what about those nuts that are a dead fit in the wheel? no room to get a socket round them. then they now put a rotating ring on the nut, all that turns is the socket.

[tomj76]

Originally Posted by jonjj

I looked at all of the rubbish online about beating an old socket on, this might have worked 20 years ago but not any more. what about those nuts that are a dead fit in the wheel? no room to get a socket round them. then they now put a rotating ring on the nut, all that turns is the socket.

Good point regarding some of the nut configurations that don't have clearance for a conventional socket. There are some alternative tools available (i.e. Gator Socket?) for those who find a commute to Reading, UK a little too far to manage.