Broken Locking Wheel Nut

[rickenma]

Hi GUYS,

I have just tryed to remove the front wheels of my w reg 2.3 zetec (2000) galaxy this is the first time i have tried to remove the wheels since i had the brakes and rotors changed at a ford dealer .i do not do alot of millage in the week ( cycle to work) and this was around 2.5 years ago. I have the type of locking wheel nut that looks like a flower pattern I guess these are fitted at manafacture but as soon as i try and remove the nut the insert just comes out on both wheels under very little pressure all i can presume is that the dealer has refitted the locking wheel nuts using a impact drive and stripped the insert ( i dont belive it ) there are serations on the insert but they are not very promenent Any idea's how i can get these off as i changing my front pads.

 

Look forward to your sugestions.

 

Regards Mark

[marinabrid]

this happened to us as well the mechanic had to weld a nut to the broken one to get it off.

these cars seem to tighten the nuts over time and are a real problem to remove. ive found it best to slaken and retighten every 3 months as a precaution.

[Mirez]

Its a "McGuard" style locking nut you have, and its probably the key thats on the way out as they seem to be the weaker metal - look into the key and see what condition its in - a replacement should be easy enough to obtain if you have the keycode (if factory fitted ford should be able to provide the type and a fair few places have a master set for the Ford specific ones)

 

Failing that you can try the garage favourite and hammer an old socket over the nut, you'll need to use a fair bit of force and make sure its on good before you try and undo it.

 

On a final note, Halfords/ Lazer do a removal tool for locking wheel nuts but they don't seem to work that well on McGuard nuts.

[b318isp]

I ended up removing the splined insert on the bolt, grinding 6 slight flats on it, and hammering an impact socket over it. Worked a treat.

[andy07]

hi mark same thing happened to me about 3 months ago,

incase you need a new key give these a try quoting the number on the side of the key TRILLOGY LTD- 01280 822865

cost about a tenner including p&p.