How to remove anti-theft lugs without the correct socket?

[swankboy]

I bought my 2001 Boxster in January. When I bought it there were anti-theft lugs on the front wheels, but not on the rear. I bought a full set of four anti-theft lugs to put on the rear and replace the front lugs. I don't have a socket to fit the front anti-theft lugs however. Is there any way to remove these myself without going to a dealer (I assume they'd have the socket to fit it)?

Best option I could think of are those horrible infomercials for Gator Grip. http://www.endeavorproducts.com/ggrip/ggrip.html

Any other ideas/options? I have 18" Porsche wheels by the way.

[Loren]

A good dealer would just loan you a key to have them removed.

[Baconaire]

I lost my keyed socket so a dealer was kind enough to remove the 4 lugs and replace them with normal lugs. I just paid for the new plain lugs.

The problem is there are many possible sockets, so they may not be thrilled to do it. If you are desperate you might try those damaged bolt sockets that bite into the head. I highly doubt that Gator thing would work because lugs are probably torqued to at least 75ft/lbs.

Deal with it now becuase if you get a flat its going to be a pain and get expensive(towing, waiting, dealer...)

I preffer to just get rid of them but I'm not in a high crime area.

Edited June 1, 2007 by Baconaire

[Tool Pants]

As stated, take it to the dealer. They have a set of all 30.

I removed my locking wheel bolts years ago and replaced them with standard wheel bolts.

[Tool Pants]

At the hardware store today I looked at the gator grip. There was only one size. Model ETC-120 that is 1/4"-3/4" or 7mm-19mm. This one is too small to fit over the head of a locking wheel bolt.

The website shows a model ETC-125 called the king gator. The range on that one is 12mm-32mm. The head of a locking wheel bolt is about 25mm. So....?

Wish I could get my hands on a ETC-125 to see if it would work.

[swankboy]

I got my hands on a King Gator. It's too large to fit inside the well to get at the lug nut.

A couple mornings ago I noticed some oil on the garage floor though. I haven't seen any fresh spots since then, but apparently I have a small oil leak. I'm going to take it in soon for that anyway so I'll have the dealer pull those old anti-theft lugs. Thanks for all the input.

[iatros]

I had a similar problem... I think I paid $26ish for a new lock socket...

Cheaper than buying new lugs all the way around.

[djomlas]

i went to the dealer and they told me that they don't make sockets that i have anymore and wanted me to buy a new set for 145 dollars. idiots. i still cant remove the ones that are on the car couse the socket is bad.

ordered new set on ebay for 12 bux, including the locking one, and socket. but i went to a random shop down the street and a guy took them off for me in 5 mins

[phillipj]

It's too bad to admit that most Porsche dealers are real jerks.

I'm in So Cal and my local dealer is so obnoxious I won't even go in there.

I had the same experience with my wheel locks. The dealer wanted to replace all lugs. The I went to the Local tire store and the kid working there took them off for me. (I tipped him 10 bucks.)

He told me that almost all car thieves have the same tools so wheel locks are kind of a joke.

Phillipj