Are locking lug nuts worth it?

Hey guys!

So I am debating on the legitimacy of locking lug nuts. Some people say they are good because they make it slightly harder than the next car, which decreases the odds someone targets you. Other's say that it really doesn't slow down a thief very much and it's pretty much a waste of money.

I am going to Dallas this weekend and apparently my buddies apartment has had a few instances recently of wheel's being popped off. I am nervous obviously, but am also thinking that no matter what I do it really doesn't make a big difference.

Are locking nuts enough of a deterrent that it is worth it? Or are they a total waste.

Thoughts??

 

A professional thief will have a key for them.

But like anything else, they’re cheap enough to do it vs wondering if they would have prevented your wheels from getting stolen.

 

Nope, they can be busted off the lug fast and that's all she wrote.

 

Like anything, if the thieves want it bad enough, they will get it. The best thing you can do is at least slow them down.

Locking lugs will delay them. I’d also suggest ColorLugs https://www.colorlugs.com/ too. It’s takes a little bit of time to take them off if you don’t have the tool, plus it hides the lock also.

 

Most thieves are only after the factory 20 plus inch wheels. There are not many instances of aftermarket wheel thefts. .. not saying that it doesn't happen.

 

No.

 

I have always liked the piece of mind of the locking locknuts

 

When I got my Sequoia it had locking lug nuts and no key to take them off. I just used a hammer to smash a socket over the keyed splines and got them right off. The harder ones would probably be the ones with center keyed locks.

 

I have the full set of Gorilla locks - every nut is a lock. Should slow them a little bit.

 

I love mine. Also bought the spare tire lock.

 

I’ve never ran locking nuts on my vehicles but I recently learned that they can be worth it.

My wife’s cx5 came with locking lugs, but I removed them when I installed her snow tires. Locking lugs stayed off.

A couple months ago, someone tried to steal the wheels off her car in a Walmart parking lot. They didn’t finish the job and she ended up on the side of the road with the left front wheel off. Luckily our kids weren’t with her.

Locking lugs are now back on her car. And I will keep locking lugs on my truck.

A thief works fast and is prepared.

 

I'd say they'll prevent a theft. they prevented me from even working on my truck. I got the rw wheels and one nut on each wheel is a mcgard center lock nut. well my key broke when I was trying to do my front brakes, so there I was one wheel off and a broken key with no way to put the other lock nut back on. pros and cons. you wont get your wheels stolen but if you ever get a flat you better hope that key doesn't break

 

Locking lug nuts are

Locking lug nuts won’t make the wheels theft proof but it might be a good investment if you are or will be parking on a theft prone area. It’s only a waste of money until some decideds to do a 5 finger discount on your wheels.

Maybe it’s not necessary to buy the most expensive version but anything is a better deterrent than nothing.

 

On my 02 tundra i had a full set of Gorilla Guard lug nuts, took a special socket that was keyed to the nut to remove. The socket was custom and you could not use the standard sockets that tire shops have for the spline nuts. I also put a cable lock on the spare tire.
I did all that because there was a homeless shelter and day labor place next to the parking lot where i parked while in college. The college built a fence after i graduated

 

Seems like it to me.
Yeah, someone who knows what they’re doing can still steal your wheels. But having them will greatly decrease the chances of it happening.

This was in my gated and well lighted apartment complex.

 

You can buy a locking lug nut tool remoal kit from Autozone, Kragen and Amazon.

$91 Ken-Tool (30170 Wheel Lock Removal Kit, One Size

https://www.amazon.com/Ken-Tool-30170-Wheel-Lock-Removal/dp/B000GPD204?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_3

 

That wouldn't work on my lock nuts. no auto parts stores or even the dealer had the key for my rock warrior lock nuts. the splined tool you can find anywhere but the star pattern i had to call the manufacturer directly to get it ordered

 

Lived in the rough part of Memphis for years. If someone wants something, they will find a way to get it. That’s what insurance is for.

 

Nope

 

Ok People, Here is what I've been going through for the past 4 days. And for the record I recant my previous statement of loving my locking lugs.

So on Wednesday, The day before fourth of July I attemted to install my Bora wheel spacers. The rear two went in without an issue but on the first front tire, the locking lug key sheared at the threads and left me in a horrible situation.

So I called McGard and they had me input all the info into their system and it was around 150$ for two keys, one spare lug and shipping!! Considering the set only cost me about 14 dollars from Toyota I was livid.
They know you need it and they tax you based on that. Unfortunately due to the Holiday weekend they wouldn't open until Monday (Which actually worked out).

So i search the interwebs and find a method of removing the locking lugs by pounding a 12 point socket over it and trying to turn it with the socket. No Luck. I stripped out two of my 19mm sockets in no time.

https://jalopnik.com/how-to-remove-a-locking-lug-nut-without-the-key-1759207243

So I searched some more and saw Harbor freight had a lug nut remover that is supposed to be able to bite onto the locking lug nut and turn it... This did not work and stripped out almost immediately against the hardened steel of the locking lug.

So I was frustrated and attemted to gring flat areas onto the lug and grab ahold with some vise grips or crescent wrench...No luck.

I was dead in the water and no one could help until Monday. So here we sat all weekend during the holiday, Truck disabled from a 14 dollar part.


So this morning I drove to truck to the local tire shop. They get great reviews on yelp and have great customer service.

I spoke with a mexican fellow who looked like he knew a ting or two about getting past wheel locks. He took one look and with extreme confidence says,"Yeah I can get them off".
So he used a different tool and removed all 4 locks within 10 minutes. Which I have to say made me realize that they are pretty much useless keeping thieves from stealing your tires. He did break one socket but just had a spare.

https://www.amazon.com/SKEMiDEX-5-D...a-713011185805&psc=1&ref=&adgrpid=70737352762

So I am reinstalling the factory lugs and hoping nobody comes for my stock TRD rims and 33" BFG's.

He also said that it was probably easier to steal my truck than taking 10 minutes to remove the tire locks. Not very comforting but Im glad to have him as my friend!!

Needless to say I'm out of the locking lugnut game forever unless I get some expensive rims, which Im not really into. Hope this saves at least one of you from this problem!!

 

At least he has some new pavers to start a new patio........ LOL