Locking Wheel Bolt Removal

[stu_rat]

I've just bought a 1997 A4 1.8T, but the vendor has lost the key to remove the locking wheel bolts.

Has anyone tried any of the nut and bolt removal sets?

Thanks.

[Scott K]

You could try Audi for a new one.

[stu_rat]

You could try Audi for a new one.

Yes, they can supply a key, but they say it is only available with a set of bolts at a cost of £72.

Does anyone know whether the sticker on the inside cover of the service booklet identifies the key code?

[VAG-Abound]

That sounds like reasonable value compared with the alternatives of hoping the "hammer on" removers fit, getting someone to tack-weld a regular nut on top, drill for stud extractor, etc. If you remove them destructively what does a replacement set of bolts cost?

A quick look at the full codes for our VW (which is a lot more detailed than those in the book) says nothing about key pattern /code.

[stu_rat]

That sounds like reasonable value compared with the alternatives of hoping the "hammer on" removers fit, getting someone to tack-weld a regular nut on top, drill for stud extractor, etc. If you remove them destructively what does a replacement set of bolts cost?

A quick look at the full codes for our VW (which is a lot more detailed than those in the book) says nothing about key pattern /code.

Yes, I agree, I'd rather pay the Audi price and get them off in a non-destructive manner. However, having asked Audi to order them, they then told me they couldn't identify the key pattern from the VIN. They were very helpful though, and the Parts Manager even drove to my house with a set of master keys to try to identify the correct one. None of them fitted though. Back to square one.

[VAG-Abound]

Is it the type with the regular splines / zig-zag around the inside of a "cup", or with the wiggly path on the top surface?


Can you recognise it from resources like this: Products Management System and VAG Audi VW Seat Skoda Locking Wheel Nut Key 51-62 6-17 Point Ribs Splines ABC | eBay?

[FrenchAudi]

The security wheel bolts on old Alfas have cylindrical heads with various numbers of grooves, randomly spaced.

The "keys" to undo them have corresponding pins embedded in the cup, to match the grooves.

An Alfa agent I used had a "master key" to undo the bolts. He had knocked out all the pins in a spare key, except one, which engaged any one of the grooves in any bolt head.

If you have the type of bolts which need a male spline to fit them, it must be possible to make up something to jam inside the recess and engage at least one or two of the grooves.

This is the type of key used. In your case, you could find a cylindrical bar to fit tightly inside the splined recess, file grooves in the end, corresponding to the splines, and drive one or more steel pins into the grooves.

Alfa wheelnut key.jpg

[Tugg]

Called out RAC when I managed to have a puncture & no locking wheel nut adaptor key to be found. Mechanic had a tool that removed the nut without damaging it. Cost £5 and you get to keep the tool head which I have used several times since. (Wavey type nut head)

[stu_rat]

Is it the type with the regular splines / zig-zag around the inside of a "cup", or with the wiggly path on the top surface?


Can you recognise it from resources like this: Products Management System and VAG Audi VW Seat Skoda Locking Wheel Nut Key 51-62 6-17 Point Ribs Splines ABC | eBay?

It's the type with splines. It has 8 splines so the '53 / 8 PT' item looks as though that might be the one.

Thanks very much for the steer.

[FrenchAudi]

It's the type with splines. It has 8 splines so the '53 / 8 PT' item looks as though that might be the one.

Thanks very much for the steer.

You're very lucky, better buy it quickly

My tool has 9 splines, I intended buying a spare, but no-one selling them on Ebay at present has this, except one seller, who wants £11.99 plus £12 postage.