Installing Locking Lug Nuts

[Javelina]

My Yukon was missing the locking lug nuts from new which I now received. Thinking of installing them, I am uncertain of exactly how.

I am tempted to simply remove and replace a nut on each wheel with the truck on the ground. I also understand the proper convention is to incrementally torque all nuts to spec. with the vehicle in the air.

Any suggestions on how to best install these? I also wonder what practice if any, shops including dealers have with locking nuts.

 

[Scarey]

Do your self a favor and get rid of the locking nuts. You’ll never find the key when you need it most. I have two sets of black gloss locking nuts if anybody’s interested.

 

[Doubeleive]

My Yukon was missing the locking lug nuts from new which I now received. Thinking of installing them, I am uncertain of exactly how.

I am tempted to simply remove and replace a nut on each wheel with the truck on the ground. I also understand the proper convention is to incrementally torque all nuts to spec. with the vehicle in the air.

Any suggestions on how to best install these? I also wonder what practice if any, shops including dealers have with locking nuts.

you install them like any other lug nut and torque in a star pattern like normal
with wheels off of the ground install them close to torque spec, lower the vehicle on the ground then do a final torque
if you are just doing 1 per wheel, no need to lift the vehicle, just r&r
normal place to keep the key is in the rear storage compartment, glove box or center console is too obvious

 

[B-train]

I second @Scarey and say don't deal with them. They can be a royal PITA if they are over torque, loss of key, etc. My Denali came with them and I ditched them after the first tire rotation. See pics of what can go wrong - my doing a favor for a friend resulted in buying a new wheel because the locking lug nut broke upon removal......

 

[Joseph Garcia]

The reality is that locking lug nuts are going to only potentially deter really amateur thieves. For professionals, will dealing with the locking lug nuts delay them for 30-45 seconds and potentially be seen by neighbors and the police called? Perhaps. But, you can be reasonably sure that professionals will have little to no trouble removing the locking lug nuts from your truck with little time lost.

It truly is a personal risk assessment and decision.

 

[Javelina]

Good points and I have reconsidered installing them.

Thank you all - Mike

 

[Blueinterceptor]

Have the dealer do it?

 

[B-train]

Have the dealer do it?

That doesn't make it any better.......they still suck. LOL

 

[homesick]

I've had locks on [most of] my cars and trucks since 1978, with no trouble from any of them. They won't protect your multi-million dollar art collection from pros with ladder trucks, but they're not useless.

If guys don't use them correctly, or lose the keys, the locks aren't at fault.

joe

 

[Blueinterceptor]

That doesn't make it any better.......they still suck. LOL

But it’s free installation. I leave the key in the car
I’m concerned more with stopping or preventing an opportunist. If a pro steals the car, they can have it. That’s why I pay for insurance.
I’d rather a new car than something that was put together half as$&ed

 

[jerry455]

I wouldn't use an impact on them. I know most places do, but I tell them, on the rare occassion I let someone else do a rotation, to leave them off and I will install them.

 

[915_Tahoe]

Just make sure you register the locks with the paper work it comes with. So if you ever lose or damage a nut, you can pay a fee for a replacement. We get atleast 1-2 people a week asking for replacement keys and we have to explain to them how it works. Dealers cannot get replacement lug keys.

 

[homesick]

Just make sure you register the locks with the paper work it comes with. So if you ever lose or damage a nut, you can pay a fee for a replacement. We get atleast 1-2 people a week asking for replacement keys and we have to explain to them how it works. Dealers cannot get replacement lug keys.

What do you do if you buy a used car, and the key's already missing?

joe

 

[RST Dana]

What do you do if you buy a used car, and the key's already missing?

joe

Dealers have a “special” tool that can be used to remove it. Hammer it on, and then gently remove the locked lug nut.

 

[homesick]

Dealers have a “special” tool that can be used to remove it. Hammer it on, and then gently remove the locked lug nut.

Thanks.

joe

 

[915_Tahoe]

What do you do if you buy a used car, and the key's already missing?

joe

You would have to get them removed by the dealer or a tire shop.

 

[jerry455]

You can find a socket close to the size of the lock and hammer it on and take the lock off. I have had success using that method several times.

 

[the 18th letter]

There’s no way I’m putting wheels on my truck without locking lug nuts. I am willing to inconvenience professional thieves just a little bit and maybe deter an amateur.

 

[ForestRon]

I just went through a situation with my 2025 Tahoe RST. I had no idea there were wheel lock nuts on my vehicle until the first oil change/tire rotation. Dealer called me and asked for my key as there was none in the vehicle and they had no master keys. I was never given a wheel lock key or told about the wheel lock when I picked up my ordered vehicle. Appears, at least on the Tahoe, that it is OEM for the 22/24 inch wheels and not listed on the spec sheet. Dealer nor any dealer near had master keys. The dealer recommended to torque/break off the wheel locks and put new ones on. I thought that was a stupid answer and did my own research. I found that Farad, the company that makes the wheel locks for GM will sell you a replacement key if you take a good close-up photograph of the wheel lock and email it to them. I sent them an email and a photograph of my wheel lock. The next day they had a replacement key in the mail. They were a wonderful company to work with, very professional. They can be reached at [email protected]

In my communication with Farad, they stressed that forcibly removing the wheel lock can cause significant damage to the wheel, hub, or locking mechanism.

When I found out about Farad, I asked three dealers about getting a replacement key and they all said that it was impossible and that there is no correlation between the wheel lock and the vehicle VIN. None of them knew anything about being able to get a replacement key from the company that provides them to GM through a simple email and photograph.

At first I didn't have great concern bout not having the wheel lock key until I realized that if I have a flat tire, the only option would be to have the vehicle flat-bed towed to a GM dealer, if there was one near and if one was open. And then a dealer who probably did not have a master key. A late night, out of town flat tire could have been a real problem, as tow companies do not have master keys for the wheel locks.

Purchase and postage cost me about $30 from Farad. Yes, the dealer assumed responsibility and paid all costs.

I think Farad has been the supplier for GM wheel locks for a couple of years. Prior to that the wheel locks were made by McGard. McGard has the same email/photo type replacement procedure. If Farad did not make your wheel locks, contact McGard.

Replacement Keys – McGard

mcgard.com

 

[ZKWBQD]

My Yukon was missing the locking lug nuts from new which I now received. Thinking of installing them, I am uncertain of exactly how.

I am tempted to simply remove and replace a nut on each wheel with the truck on the ground. I also understand the proper convention is to incrementally torque all nuts to spec. with the vehicle in the air.

Any suggestions on how to best install these? I also wonder what practice if any, shops including dealers have with locking nuts.

My Tahoe came with locking Lug-nuts. I removed them and replaced with standard lug-nuts.