I'm currently restoring a fairly difficult to replace set of wheels. (BBS RS 003) They're worth more than I would spend myself, but they came with the car and I want to keep them for now. What's the current wisdom RE: wheel locks?
I've generally never bothered, but am reconsidering for these....
They can be bypassed in 15 seconds, so if pros want them, they'll get them. It'll stop the amateurs though.
I'm a fan, I've had them save a set of wheels from theft already. I generally buy Gorilla brand.
I go out of my way to throw them away on every car I've ever bought that comes with them. I don't know that they deter wheel theft (doesn't everyone just keep the keys in the glovebox anyway?), but they sure can make life miserable for the owner.
The only ones I like and will use are the McGard splines. Full set feels like it would be more deterrence and you use the same tool for all and better engagement of the key to make tight/loosen more stable.
Steve_Jones said:They can be bypassed in 15 seconds, so if pros want them, they'll get them. It'll stop the amateurs though.
Yeah, and they are a pain when you need to rotate tires or whatever. Spin the center nut on tight and forget about it
Agree with Berck. I remove them for all my cars and throw them away. Nobody has ever attempted to steal my wheels in over 30 years of driving. If they do, whatever, I've got insurance. I've had stripped wheel lock keys, broken wheel lock bolts/nuts, etc, etc. I don't need to be struggling with that garbage in the middle of the night, in a snow storm, on the side of the road while trying to change out a flat.
I've never had wheels stolen, with or without locks. Only reason my Lincoln has locks is because I wanted pretty lug nuts and the only set I could find at the FLAPS had locks.
I do know that any time the shop calls and says "where's the lug nut key?" I say "Just do what you have to do" and 5 minutes later all four wheels are off the car. They aren't much of a deterrent for someone who knows what they're doing.
I remember seeing some at SEMA many moons ago that I thought might actually work. They had a "cap" on them that spun independently of the lug nut. The key engaged the cap to the body so it could be removed. That seemed like it would prevent someone from busting them off with a chisel. Basically it was a spinning cover that prevented you from getting to the body to pound it off.
Never saw them in stores. Maybe they didn't make it.
In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :
A friend had them on his '79 T-bird in the late 90s, so they at least used to exist. I thought the idea was neat but potentially a real PITA when the mechanism eventually failed.
The funny is the Ford had generic steel wheels meant for hubcaps. I forget if the car came with them or he put them on while living in Las Vegas.
When I bought my FJ Cruiser a few years ago, it had wheel locks and I couldn't find the key in the usual places in the vehicle. My gator grip was too small to fit over the locks, but hammering on a 19mm impact socket had them off quicker than using the key. Of course, I then found the key, but promptly threw them all away. Useless, IMO.
They sell wheel lock key sets on Amazon that fit 90% of them for $40, I assume if I have that set, someone that wants to steal wheels would too. I only needed it 2 times, they're trying to make a living :)
Stealing wheels is about on par with radio theft these days: we just don't see it anymore in the insurance world. I can't tell you how many years it's been since I had a wheel theft claim.
Catalytic converters, OTOH...
In reply to ddavidv :
That’s helpful info–thanks. Follow the data, right?
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