wheel locking nuts

**gokartin** · 28th May 2010, 18:58

went to change the front pads this afternoon. but the previous owner or garage has put the locking nuts on with an air gun. making it impossible to get them off with a normal socket and bar, without chewing them up or even shearing them off. will go to a garage in the morning and ask them to take them off with the air gun. WHY DO PEOPLE DO THIS??? Its a good job i didn't get a puncture in the middle of nowhere. they are Vauxhall locking nuts. has anyone had a problem with these seizing on??? or is it because they have been put on with an air gun??

**neverlandandy** · 28th May 2010, 19:03

once you get them off change them for a better set the vx ones are really poor quality

**squekey** · 28th May 2010, 19:07

They should'nt be a problem if they have used an air gun to do them up as normally they would do them up with an air gun and then torch them up with a torch bar as air guns dont tighten them up as much as they should be. Don't know about the VX locking nuts as i have never used them as i always buy mine from halfords for about £35-40

**Derek Mc** · 28th May 2010, 19:16

To be honest I have taken the lockers off completely as I never leave the car in an unsecure location nowadays and in the past I have had incredible hassle with moron airgun locknut's

Wait and see this will come back to bite me now

**macdad** · 28th May 2010, 20:21

When a wheel is removed by a tyre fitting place,thay have to torque the nuts upto the required setting,in the Vectras case,this is 110 nm,if the wheel nuts are not torqued up to this setting,then if a wheel happens to fall off they could be liable,this is why wheel nuts are tightened to the correct limits.

**Saxman** · 28th May 2010, 21:53

Originally Posted by macdad

When a wheel is removed by a tyre fitting place,thay have to torque the nuts upto the required setting,in the Vectras case,this is 110 nm,if the wheel nuts are not torqued up to this setting,then if a wheel happens to fall off they could be liable,this is why wheel nuts are tightened to the correct limits.

Dont wish to sound too harsh but, if you believe that, you'll believe anything.

**gokartin** · 29th May 2010, 02:08

i always thought the normal wheel nuts are on tight to hold the wheel. and the locking nuts are just pinched up so you can get them off with the key. a lock nut just being pinched up is enough to stop idiots from nicking ya wheels. putting them on that tight is just stupid. thats the way ive always done mine.

**mr.ian** · 29th May 2010, 05:23

Locking nuts are pointless, if somebody wants your wheels they'll take them easily enough, locking nuts or not! Still use them though.

**mikeeaston** · 29th May 2010, 05:42

Originally Posted by Saxman

Dont wish to sound too harsh but, if you believe that, you'll believe anything.

i did 4 years in a garage and the only thing i used a torque wrench on was head bolts lol

**Rapala** · 29th May 2010, 11:27

Ive watched a tyre fitter in quick fit winding in the wheel bolts using an air gun and then going round all the bolts with a torque wrench, every one was obviously over the specified torqe as the wrench gave way as soon as any pressure was applied without any movement of the wheel bolts. He said "thats the way I always do it sir".