I was finally switching over to my winter rims today, and I have McGuard security locking lugnuts. I think the "installers" at Strauss must have used impact wrenches when I had my new summer tires mounted back in June. Anyway, I throw on the wrench, put on the adaptor, and start to turn the wrench. About 1/3 of the bottom of the lug nut just sheared off in the adaptor! Any idea how I can get this thing off? If not, can a tire place get it off or will I need to go to the dealership? Thanks for help and have a good thanksgiving.

How about some vice grips? I would wrap the nut with a piece of rubber or something with friction like a piece of a dishwashing glove. Clamp that sucker on there as tight as you can, then put a piece of pipe over the vice grips to get some more leverage.

If it was tight enough that it actually broke the lug, I'm not sure that vice grips and dish washing gloves would help.

Tire shops do have locking lug nut remover sockets. It's very common for people to roll in there and have no idea where their lug key is. You can also buy the sockets at most automotive stores. I'm new here so not sure I can post a link but here's an example:


http://www.autobarn.net/emlugnutrem.html

One tip, now that you have two sets of wheels and tires, if you need tire work done, just bring the set in off the car. Don't let those fools impact the hell out of your lugs and studs.

Thanks for the help guys. I'll have to post tomorrow how things go at the tire shop. BTW, jumpmywrx?, I did tell them not to use impact wrenches, but a smarter move would've been to bring in both sets of wheels. I was moving and had my winter wheels in a totally different state so it really wasn't an option :( Live and learn right?

Here's the update: Got the run around at one tire place where they claimed they couldn't do anything without the key (alot of people were buying tires so I just wouldn't make them enough money for the time it would take), and found one place that was great. If anyone is in the Brookfield/Danbury area of CT, check out the Firestone by Costco. Nice guys and one of them used to run a tuned WRX.

Anyway, got the tire off. Turns out the place I went to actually put my summer tires on backwards! That can't be good :(

Damn. You've been running them like that since June??!

Note to self. *don't go to strauss*

99.9% of all tire places will use impacts, its the only way to do the job quickly and beat the flat rate. why spend ~5 mins a wheel to undo the lugs when you can get all 4 tires off in under 5 mins, and putting the lugs on is just as quick when you use a torque stick.

the studs can stand up to the pounding of the impact and most lugs can take it as well, unless you get some really soft ones. even the locking lugs will take the force, in most cases they are thicker then the normal lugs.

i hate to say it but if you dont want an impact used on your wheels you might be better off doing them yourself.

Most impact guns have an adjustment that the techs could easily use to turn down the power but they don't. I see no issue with the lugs coming off with the impact gun and even going back on with the gun turned down as long as they are hand tightened later.

I work for AAA and I get to deal with people all day that can't understand why the burly tow truck drivers can't change their flat tire because they can't get those little ol' lug nuts off.

The lugs and studs might look like they are taking the abuse just fine but in time, it does catch up and can cause trouble.

I agree, you're better of doing it yourself if you don't have the balls to call them out on it. When they tell you your car is done, just take a minute to grab your lug wrench and try undoing a couple of the lugs.......if you can't do it there, you won't be able to do on the side of the road, at night in the rain. If they won't budge point it out.

true some impact guns have an adjustment, but not all of them come with it. if your worried about long term dmg you could tell the tech to just snug them up with the impact and then for them to use a torque wrench to finish tightening them up. 80 ft/lbs is what cars run (may be different with AM rims)

if your having trouble getting the lugs off id look into a cordless impact from snap on and the deep well metric impact sockets. i use them for work and i have no problem getting escalde lugs off/on. the 18v impact gun is rated at 220 ft/lbs. it would be good for your work since you dont have a "shop" supply of air, so that you dont look like a weakling stuggling to take off the lug nuts..lol

I'm just talking in general terms. Sometimes my job awareness for consumer well being with regard automotive issues takes over. Working for AAA means I get to deal with all kinds of people stuck on the road and we get many people a day calling for help that would otherwise change their own tire if not for over zealous tire techs and their impact guns.

Having crewed for SCCA and NASA race teams as well as running between 10-15 track days a year for the last couple years means I have plenty of fun tools both in my trailer and in my garage. I have one of the cheap harbor freight cordless impacts which do work pretty well I agree..................but there is no replacement for air tools!!!!