If you suddenly get a flat tire and find you have locking wheel nuts installed, it can be incredibly frustrating if you don’t have the special key needed to remove them. Attempting to brute force the nuts off could lead to damage and costly repairs. Fortunately, 24hr Mobile Tyre Repair London offers a professional mobile locking wheel nut removal service across London. Our experienced techs have the tools and knowledge to safely remove locking lug nuts and get you back on the road quickly.
What Are Locking Wheel Nuts?
Locking wheel nuts, also sometimes called lock nuts or lug nuts, are specially designed wheel bolts with an additional locking mechanism. They were originally designed to deter thieves attempting to steal alloy wheels and tires. The most common types use a special key or socket that locks into the grooves of the nut in order to loosen or tighten them. Vehicles typically come with four or five locking nuts per wheel installed by auto manufacturers or previous owners attempting to secure valuable rims.
The Pros and Cons of Locking Wheel Nuts
There are good reasons why someone would install locking wheel nuts. As mentioned above, they make it much harder for thieves to quickly remove wheels and tires. It also takes more time and makes extra noise if someone attempts to forcefully loosen them without the key, acting as a deterrent. However, if you lose the key or special socket, it becomes very difficult to change a flat yourself. The locking mechanisms can also seize up over time, refusing to budge without some penetrating lubricant and correct technique.
Our Locking Wheel Nut Removal Process Step-By-Step:
If you call 24hr Mobile Tyre Repair London with a flat tire and locking lug nuts installed, here is the general process our tech will follow to safely get your vehicle back on the road:
Secure Vehicle & Inspect Bolts
First, we will fully secure your vehicle to ensure it does not shift or move at all while the technician is working underneath. Then we visually inspect the type of locking nuts installed so we can prepare the proper tools.
Apply Penetrating Lubricant
If the locking nuts appear corroded or have likely been installed for a long time, we apply a penetrating lubricant around the threads and mechanism. This helps loosen any rust or grime so that the key or socket can properly grip and turn the nut.
Use Special Socket Set
We carry specialty locking lug nut removal kits with extractor sockets for most common manufacturer locking nut designs, along with sets to extract rounded or damaged nuts. The technician carefully selects the right socket size and shape to match your vehicle’s locking nut pattern.
Loosen Bolts with Torque
Wrench With the proper socket attached to our high-quality torque wrench, the technician steadily loosens each locking lug nut in a cross pattern. Removing the nuts gradually avoids shock loading the suspension components. Once fully loosened, the nuts easily detach by hand.
Remove Flat & Install Spare
After safely removing the locking lug nuts, we then remove the flat tire and mount your spare or new replacement tire purchased on-site from our large selection of brand name, high-quality tires.
Reinstall Locking Nuts & Tighten
We finish by reversing the steps above — reinstalling on each locking lug nut, applying steady and even pressure with the torque wrench to tighten back into place, securing your investment in wheels and tires from theft.
Cost for Locking Wheel Nut Removal
If you don’t have the special key and get a flat, locking lug nuts can add hassle and cost to an already annoying situation. However, at 24hr Mobile Tyre Repair London we only charge our standard mobile tyre change rates with NO EXTRA FEES for locking wheel nut removal within London zones 1-4.
Our mobile technicians carry industry-leading specialty tools designed to remove most any locking, seized or damaged lug nut. So whether we replace the flat with your spare or a brand new tyre, the cost for removal stays reasonable. Contact us today for a custom quote for your vehicle make and model.
Prevent Locking Nut Issues with Proper Wheel Maintenance
The best way to avoid issues with stubborn locking wheel nuts is prevention through proper, periodic maintenance. Here are some tips:
- Ensure the locking nut key is kept with the spare tire kit so it’s never lost
- Visually inspect nuts for dirt buildup whenever rotating tyres
- Carefully wash nuts and use lubricant spray 1-2 times per year
- Ask your mechanic to periodically check and service locking nuts
Having wheel nuts maintained by a professional mechanic anytime wheels are removed for rotation, balancing or when changing between winter and summer tyres is wise. This ensures locking nuts continue to work smoothly for emergency tyre changes. The minor cost is well worth avoiding being stranded with a flat.
24hr Mobile Tyre Repair for Flat Tyres
Being prepared for a flat tyre minimizes costs and stressful delays. At 24hr Mobile Tyre Repair London, our technicians are available 24/7 every day of the year to quickly get your vehicle safely back on the road. We offer:
- Mobile replacement of all flat tyres on cars and light trucks
- Hundreds of top brand tyres in stock with installation at your location
- Locking wheel nut removal using specialty tools
- Next day mobile fitting of all ordered tyres
- TPMS reset and programming
Don’t risk damaging your expensive alloy wheels or threaded bolts trying to pry off stubborn locking wheel nuts. Trust London’s leading mobile tyre replacement team to expertly handle it! For flat repairs with hard-to-remove locking lug nuts throughout the London area
Don’t risk damaging your expensive alloy wheels or threaded bolts trying to pry off stubborn locking wheel nuts. Trust London’s leading mobile tyre replacement team to expertly handle it! For flat repairs with hard-to-remove locking lug nuts throughout the London area
Don’t risk damaging your expensive alloy wheels or threaded bolts trying to pry off stubborn locking wheel nuts. Trust London’s leading mobile tyre replacement team to expertly handle it! For flat repairs with hard-to-remove locking lug nuts throughout the London area call at 24hr Mobile Tyre Repair London today at 02080509024.
