Car locking wheel nuts - worth using?

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Mussels
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Re: Car locking wheel nuts - worth using?

Post by Mussels »

Druid wrote: Mon May 05, 2025 8:41 am There's a clear difference of opinion here between those who drive new cars and take them to a dealer to get work done, and those who drive old bangers and spend their weekends fixing their cars on the drive.

I bin the locking wheel nuts ;)
I'm in the middle, I've had several blowouts on this car and still have locking nuts. When I'm on my knees in the road at night the locking nuts are relatively low on the irritation scale.
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Re: Car locking wheel nuts - worth using?

Post by cheb »

Are they available for steel wheels?
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Cousin Jack
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Re: Car locking wheel nuts - worth using?

Post by Cousin Jack »

cheb wrote: Mon May 05, 2025 10:35 am Are they available for steel wheels?
Do they still make steel wheels?
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Mussels
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Re: Car locking wheel nuts - worth using?

Post by Mussels »

Cousin Jack wrote: Mon May 05, 2025 10:50 am
cheb wrote: Mon May 05, 2025 10:35 am Are they available for steel wheels?
Do they still make steel wheels?
They do and I've had locking nuts on them when I had a set of winter wheels for my Transit.
Ford had run out of steel wheels with no idea when they would be available. :wtf:
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Druid
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Re: Car locking wheel nuts - worth using?

Post by Druid »

Cousin Jack wrote: Mon May 05, 2025 10:50 am
cheb wrote: Mon May 05, 2025 10:35 am Are they available for steel wheels?
Do they still make steel wheels?
I had a Renault Clio with a steel spare wheel. There was a separate set of wheel bolts to suit the steel spare, but no locking nut.
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Re: Car locking wheel nuts - worth using?

Post by Mr. Dazzle »

Cousin Jack wrote: Mon May 05, 2025 10:50 am
cheb wrote: Mon May 05, 2025 10:35 am Are they available for steel wheels
Do they still make steel wheels?
The base spec Ferraris come with them, matching bumpers are an optional extra now too.

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Re: Car locking wheel nuts - worth using?

Post by Cousin Jack »

Mr. Dazzle wrote: Mon May 05, 2025 12:42 pm
Cousin Jack wrote: Mon May 05, 2025 10:50 am
cheb wrote: Mon May 05, 2025 10:35 am Are they available for steel wheels
Do they still make steel wheels?
The base spec Ferraris come with them, matching bumpers are an optional extra now too.

Image
Matching bumpers are a PITA. Bring back black bumpers.
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Re: Car locking wheel nuts - worth using?

Post by ZRX61 »

The idea is they prevent your wheels being stolen...

The people who would steal your wheels likely have the cheap impact socket set from Amazon that removes locking wheel nuts & a cordless rattlegun
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twids
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Re: Car locking wheel nuts - worth using?

Post by twids »

I took them off the van after a ham fisted mech stripped the nut key (?), popped it back in the glove box (probably where everyone keeps it). I was then left stranded when I got a puncture and couldn't get the nut off.

Not sure I'd have them again unless the wheels are sports car bling types.
Last edited by twids on Mon May 05, 2025 5:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Car locking wheel nuts - worth using?

Post by Jody »

Having worked as a tyre goon, both back in the day and recently.

Back in the day you needed them, as almost everyone wanted alloys for their car.

Nowadays, almost every car comes with alloy wheels. So unless your wheels are particularly desirable, locking wheel nuts just arnt needed.

And of course, remember, you can buy a locking wheel nut removal tool on eaby. So can your local allow wheel thief...
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Re: Car locking wheel nuts - worth using?

Post by ChrisW »

Mr. Dazzle wrote: Mon May 05, 2025 12:42 pm The base spec Ferraris come with them, matching bumpers are an optional extra now too.

Image
I like that! It has a touch of Lancia Monte Carlo to it.
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Re: Car locking wheel nuts - worth using?

Post by cheb »

Jody wrote: Mon May 05, 2025 4:20 pm Having worked as a tyre goon, both back in the day and recently.

Back in the day you needed them, as almost everyone wanted alloys for their car.

Nowadays, almost every car comes with alloy wheels. So unless your wheels are particularly desirable, locking wheel nuts just arnt needed.

And of course, remember, you can buy a locking wheel nut removal tool on eaby. So can your local allow wheel thief...

...borrows it from his mate* who's a tyre goon and knows what wheels and tyres are fitted to what car at what address.

* The mate my be optional too
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Re: Car locking wheel nuts - worth using?

Post by Scotsrich »

I’ve got them on my car so I just keep them on even though nobody’s ever going to nick wheels off a Fiesta. Although thinking about it the tyres are worth a few quid.

It’s only the garage that uses them anyway. It hasn’t got a spare so it’s not even like I’ll need to change a wheel at the side of the road.
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