How to EASILY Remove Locking Lug Nuts WITHOUT a Key
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Date: 2026-10-28
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Comments and reviews: 20
AutoEngineerVideos
If the torqued to spec at the tyre shop is representative of what they did, no, they're NOT torqued to spec! They're over-torqued, and the torque wrench immediately clicking ONLY shows that they're not under spec. I've dealt with the results of over-torquing wheel nuts, it isn't good, and it's avoidable.
To use an impact gun and not over-torque the wheel nuts, you need to use the impact gun to run the nuts up and snug them, but use the torque wrench to tighten them the last little bit. And yes, they must actually turn, so it's the torque wrench that gets the nuts up to torque, not the impact gun.
Some people say you can use torque-limiting extensions, and they do work to some extent, but they're not accurate or precise. You need to use one that's a decent amount lower than the spec, then finish the job with the torque wrench.
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If the torqued to spec at the tyre shop is representative of what they did, no, they're NOT torqued to spec! They're over-torqued, and the torque wrench immediately clicking ONLY shows that they're not under spec. I've dealt with the results of over-torquing wheel nuts, it isn't good, and it's avoidable.
To use an impact gun and not over-torque the wheel nuts, you need to use the impact gun to run the nuts up and snug them, but use the torque wrench to tighten them the last little bit. And yes, they must actually turn, so it's the torque wrench that gets the nuts up to torque, not the impact gun.
Some people say you can use torque-limiting extensions, and they do work to some extent, but they're not accurate or precise. You need to use one that's a decent amount lower than the spec, then finish the job with the torque wrench.
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chrisfix
I’m kind of tired of seeing shops mounting tires wrong all the time. There was barely any lubrication on the tire, none on the rim, no removal of air after beads seated, and no bead massage.
You can certainly have a well-built assembly without these practices, but actually doing all this will make sure you don’t get excessive road force.
This is way too frequently skipped in shops capable of performing such services
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I’m kind of tired of seeing shops mounting tires wrong all the time. There was barely any lubrication on the tire, none on the rim, no removal of air after beads seated, and no bead massage.
You can certainly have a well-built assembly without these practices, but actually doing all this will make sure you don’t get excessive road force.
This is way too frequently skipped in shops capable of performing such services
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shotlikeapro155
To get the nut out of the socket without a stable, expensive vise like that, you can just shove a medium-large size screwdriver in through the socket and drop the socket and screwdriver vertically so that when they hit the ground, the impact acts as if you hit the head of the screwdriver with a hammer, and usually punches it out pretty swiftly. Good luck with them locking nuts! I personally don’t use em: )
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To get the nut out of the socket without a stable, expensive vise like that, you can just shove a medium-large size screwdriver in through the socket and drop the socket and screwdriver vertically so that when they hit the ground, the impact acts as if you hit the head of the screwdriver with a hammer, and usually punches it out pretty swiftly. Good luck with them locking nuts! I personally don’t use em: )
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jerrybomcool
I snapped mine last year. Spent many hours drilling the damn thing and many drill bits. It’s not worth your time drilling. Take it somewhere if chrisfix’s hack doesn’t work
In the removal of mine I slightly damaged my alloy as well as another kick in the balls. All locking wheel nuts have been removed to prevent this happening again (shops fault not mine over tightening the things)
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I snapped mine last year. Spent many hours drilling the damn thing and many drill bits. It’s not worth your time drilling. Take it somewhere if chrisfix’s hack doesn’t work
In the removal of mine I slightly damaged my alloy as well as another kick in the balls. All locking wheel nuts have been removed to prevent this happening again (shops fault not mine over tightening the things)
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KingJKickz
I love that you have a Prius because real car guys should have a Prius.
I have one and it's basically a glorified golf cart.
It's perfect for the city and LONG Drives, Gas mileage and maintenance is unmatached
Also Have a Es350 For a smooth daily commute
And a Challenger for fun
Next is an SUV or a Truck, not sure yet
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I love that you have a Prius because real car guys should have a Prius.
I have one and it's basically a glorified golf cart.
It's perfect for the city and LONG Drives, Gas mileage and maintenance is unmatached
Also Have a Es350 For a smooth daily commute
And a Challenger for fun
Next is an SUV or a Truck, not sure yet
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shadalker
Chris is showing off by using an extendable ratchet unextended to brake that loose. Also, you can beat that out on the ground by placing it with the bolt down on a upside down slightly larger socket who's outer diameter sits on the smaller socket. Deep wells work better but are less stable for hitting. Hold with gloves.
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Chris is showing off by using an extendable ratchet unextended to brake that loose. Also, you can beat that out on the ground by placing it with the bolt down on a upside down slightly larger socket who's outer diameter sits on the smaller socket. Deep wells work better but are less stable for hitting. Hold with gloves.
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railnut8453
I’d go get an alignment done first before I put new tires on! The way the old ones are wearing I’d say the camber is way off.
They say to leave the old tires on when you go to have an alignment done, so the mechanic can see how the wear is and know where to look to to adjust the alignment.
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I’d go get an alignment done first before I put new tires on! The way the old ones are wearing I’d say the camber is way off.
They say to leave the old tires on when you go to have an alignment done, so the mechanic can see how the wear is and know where to look to to adjust the alignment.
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faithfulcoyote9306
For anyone that currently has a socket with a lug nut stuck in it somewhere in their garage. I found you can loosely thread the nut onto a bolt and hit it off with a rubber mallet. If that doesn’t work, try tightening the nut and that should break it free.
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For anyone that currently has a socket with a lug nut stuck in it somewhere in their garage. I found you can loosely thread the nut onto a bolt and hit it off with a rubber mallet. If that doesn’t work, try tightening the nut and that should break it free.
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andycanfixit
A trip to harbor freight and you can buy 4 of the sockets you need for cheap to get them off quickly and deal with beating out the lug nuts a different day cause it can be a real pain to get the socket off those lug nuts. For that the cheap chrome ones work fine.
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A trip to harbor freight and you can buy 4 of the sockets you need for cheap to get them off quickly and deal with beating out the lug nuts a different day cause it can be a real pain to get the socket off those lug nuts. For that the cheap chrome ones work fine.
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chrisfix
That's alignment. Same wear pattern the steers on the big truck had. Check your suspension components, especially your bushings, and perform those repairs then get an alignment done before installing those new tires so you don't just turn around and junk them
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That's alignment. Same wear pattern the steers on the big truck had. Check your suspension components, especially your bushings, and perform those repairs then get an alignment done before installing those new tires so you don't just turn around and junk them
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trailor504
To add, in case you dont have a vice (remember, you said common hand tools, shove the end of a flathead thru the bottom of the socket, then while firmly gripping the socket, smash the handle of the flathead on the ground repeatedly to pop out that lug nut.
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To add, in case you dont have a vice (remember, you said common hand tools, shove the end of a flathead thru the bottom of the socket, then while firmly gripping the socket, smash the handle of the flathead on the ground repeatedly to pop out that lug nut.
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PeeeKaay
Seen better days. - NO, stop ripping corners, OR Tyre Pressures too LOW, OR Wheel Alignment needed doing!
Good Video Tho! - Doesn't banging the socket, bugger up the socket.
Wow. That tyre balancer. We don't have that here in Brisbane/Australia.
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Seen better days. - NO, stop ripping corners, OR Tyre Pressures too LOW, OR Wheel Alignment needed doing!
Good Video Tho! - Doesn't banging the socket, bugger up the socket.
Wow. That tyre balancer. We don't have that here in Brisbane/Australia.
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dbfcrell8300
It's funny, the General Altimax RT43s are WAY better tire than thre Kumho Solus. That car has an alignment issue of some kind and when that issue has it's way with those Kumhos, they last 40k before they are gonzo. The Generls are a 75K mile tire.
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It's funny, the General Altimax RT43s are WAY better tire than thre Kumho Solus. That car has an alignment issue of some kind and when that issue has it's way with those Kumhos, they last 40k before they are gonzo. The Generls are a 75K mile tire.
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user-EgorG
He basically showed that it is not really a protection from thieves if they really want to steal your wheels.
Also sometimes it helps if you tighten all the nuts except the security nut a little bit. This way it comes out even easier.
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He basically showed that it is not really a protection from thieves if they really want to steal your wheels.
Also sometimes it helps if you tighten all the nuts except the security nut a little bit. This way it comes out even easier.
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mpm17lax
Would love to see the methodology for dealing with the lug nuts/bolts with the spinning collar! I (thankfully) haven’t yet broken my locking lug key, but mine look just like the example you brought up. Love your content by the way!
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Would love to see the methodology for dealing with the lug nuts/bolts with the spinning collar! I (thankfully) haven’t yet broken my locking lug key, but mine look just like the example you brought up. Love your content by the way!
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mjoto
I like your videos but this just isn't a viable way to do this. First off you need a big socket set. Secondly you're assuming the bolt has been previously installed by a 4 year old.
Sorry bro this video ain't it
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I like your videos but this just isn't a viable way to do this. First off you need a big socket set. Secondly you're assuming the bolt has been previously installed by a 4 year old.
Sorry bro this video ain't it
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AdvanceSZN
I saw you replaced the general Altimax with the kumhos are the kumhos better, because I run the general altimax ones and they run fine I just like to explore different brands but only if it’s an upgrade
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I saw you replaced the general Altimax with the kumhos are the kumhos better, because I run the general altimax ones and they run fine I just like to explore different brands but only if it’s an upgrade
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chrisfix
It works only if the car was maintained and if those bolts weren't there for a long time. An extractor socket would work better, they don't cost that much and are very helpful in many other situations
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It works only if the car was maintained and if those bolts weren't there for a long time. An extractor socket would work better, they don't cost that much and are very helpful in many other situations
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muhammadkhan9618
Still waiting for the Hey guys ChrisFix here and today we will be finally installing a turbo in my Honda Del Sol I know you guys have been waiting a long time for this so let's get started!
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Still waiting for the Hey guys ChrisFix here and today we will be finally installing a turbo in my Honda Del Sol I know you guys have been waiting a long time for this so let's get started!
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crazyrobots6565
People who live in Florida forget they need to rotate their tires. Just because you don't have to switch your tires twice a year doesn't mean you shouldn't still rotate them.
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People who live in Florida forget they need to rotate their tires. Just because you don't have to switch your tires twice a year doesn't mean you shouldn't still rotate them.
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