A-dub5513

Yeah, lost the key for the first time in 10 yrs. So you guys think a Gator socket will fit? My goal is to get one off with the splines intact, so that I can send it to the manufacturer for a replacement key.

roadsqueegy95

ya i think it would, worth a try i guess

XxNampsterxX

iTrader: (1)

I've tried gator grips with locks and it doesn't work. Gator grips just aren't strong enough to take them off. When I lost my key, I had luck with two different methods. I was able to find a socket that was a little smaller than the lug and hammer it on. After the first one came off, the socket wasn't any good anymore. Another thing that I did was get a key from the same brand and hammered that on. I was able to get the rest of them off with the key. I hope one of these ways work. Good luck!

A-dub5513

I don't think it's so much that the Gators aren't strong enough, just that those spring-loaded 'whatchamacallits' in the sockets look kinda big. I'm thinkin' if the various shapes of the splines on the lug locks are just big enough, but only by a hair, to push those "rods" back, you may have too much play, resulting in a weak grip. You know what I'm tryin' to say?

As for the second method, woudn't work as I need the splines intact to send to the manufacturer.

Another promising method is the universal stripped bolt/nut removal kit, the socket kit with the reversed threads. I wonder if they make one small enough to just thread into only the top half of the lug lock (cone-shaped half).

I will continue to ponder...and maybe take my a** to Sears! Hey, thanks for the suggestions guys.

A-dub