Spare tire "key"

FLJeep · **Joined:** Wed Oct 18, 2006 7:27 am **Posts:** 84

I noticed the other day that the third lug had a weird end to it....Did some research and found out some locking key is supposed to come with the jeep. Ofcourse I have no key. I have looked in the glovebox and the jack under the backseat to no luck. The dealer has no record of it either. So I am at a lose. Anyone know where we can get another? Can you remove it somehow and replace with a lug?

KJ-BOL · **Posted:** Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:21 am

Any dealer should be able to take it out and replace it with a regular one - I've been driving without a key for almost 6 months - I'll be in trouble if I get a flat. No key to loosen up any wheel
the manufacturer of my particular brand makes only 7 different styles so happens to be that pixeldzn's KJ has the same key as mine & so doeas carmellas ' pixeldzn's other half with the rubicon -
I've taken the KJ for tire rotation to my dealer and they did rotate tires and never said a word about the key....

Flying J · **Posted:** Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:22 am

Sounds like someone had a locking lugnut on it. Try a larger friendly tire store and they might remove it for you. Also, Sears sells the sockets to remove locking lugnuts.

chetos · **Posted:** Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:35 am

Flying J wrote:

Sounds like someone had a locking lugnut on it. Try a larger friendly tire store and they might remove it for you. Also, Sears sells the sockets to remove locking lugnuts.

Wow! I didn't know sears sold those. What's the point then if an average schmoe can just go and buy this key set! Defeats the purpose doesn't it?

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

In theory, anybody with Vicegrips can remove these...

unixxx · **Posted:** Sat Oct 21, 2006 11:27 am

chetos, you need an impact driver to use the key removal sockets. I just can't see someone going out into a parking lot with a tank of air and an impact wrench to steal some rims/tires. The vehicle next to mine most likely won't have the lugs and will make an easier steal. Has anyone been able to remove a locking lug using these sockets without an impact driver?

psinsyd · **Posted:** Sat Oct 21, 2006 2:14 pm

I just encountered this @ 3 weeks or so ago. Tried the vise grips with no success. Brought it to NTB and they have a socket that they pound onto it, then use the impact wrench to loosen it. If I remember correctly, it didn't even look damaged.

Hope this helps!

psinsyd · **Posted:** Sat Oct 21, 2006 2:16 pm

Here is the link to the thread I started when I realized I didn't have the key.

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... hp?t=12807

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:21 pm

Quote:

you need an impact driver to use the key removal sockets. I just can't see someone going out into a parking lot with a tank of air and an impact wrench to steal some rims/tires.

Obviously you don't live in NY!! :shock:

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sun Oct 22, 2006 9:02 pm

actually impact wrenchs come in air power , electric power (plug into your cigarette lighter), and mechanical - (hit it with a hammer), mechanicals are very portable - I haven't seen the sockets - but I suspect they're a socket with sharp hardened interior edges - should be fairly small and easy to carry around.
Locks keep honest people honest, prevent teenagers from playing with your wheels - they don't stop serious thieves.

7873libertee · **Posted:** Sun Oct 22, 2006 10:42 pm

Any idea why the Durangos spares were such a target for theives when the Durange came out, yet I never see KJs with missing spares? Cost of Durango wheel & tire that much more than Liberty? Things that make you go hmmm. :?:

kickit_in4wheel · **Posted:** Mon Oct 23, 2006 4:10 am

unixxx wrote:

chetos, you need an impact driver to use the key removal sockets. I just can't see someone going out into a parking lot with a tank of air and an impact wrench to steal some rims/tires. The vehicle next to mine most likely won't have the lugs and will make an easier steal. Has anyone been able to remove a locking lug using these sockets without an impact driver?

I take mine off with the key, a socket extension, and a breaker bar all the time...

Fouros · **Posted:** Mon Oct 23, 2006 5:14 am

soft jaw vice grips work when you dont have the key :oops:

bugnout · **Posted:** Mon Oct 23, 2006 10:38 am

I just ran into a similiar problem, I broke my key as I was tightening the last lock in place. It was a McGard, an older model and I didn't have the registration number, and had no luck getting them on the phone to get a replacement. So....

After doing a web search, I found instructions for taking them off, Its very easy and I wondered why I even bothered with locks.

You'll need a 12 point 19mm socket (same size as the lugs), a breaker bar, an extension and oh ya, a hammer :wink:

Pound the socket on the lock, then use the breaker bar and extension to remove. The hardest part is getting the lock out of the socket. I used a 3/8 socket extension to pound it out of the 1/2 socket.

unixxx · **Posted:** Mon Oct 23, 2006 3:03 pm

kickit_in4wheel wrote:

unixxx wrote:

chetos, you need an impact driver to use the key removal sockets. I just can't see someone going out into a parking lot with a tank of air and an impact wrench to steal some rims/tires. The vehicle next to mine most likely won't have the lugs and will make an easier steal. Has anyone been able to remove a locking lug using these sockets without an impact driver?

I take mine off with the key, a socket extension, and a breaker bar all the time...

kickit_in4wheel, I mean to use the generic pound-on removal sockets you use when you've lost the key.

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 23, 2006 6:29 pm

Unfortunately, to steal a spare on a KJ all ya gotta do is reach behind the tire with the correct size wrench and undo the four nuts that hold the entire carrier on. Then you got a tire and carrier in just under 2 minutes flat! I installed one way nuts on my carrier bracket.

7873libertee · **Posted:** Mon Oct 23, 2006 9:35 pm

"Unfortunately, to steal a spare on a KJ all ya gotta do is reach behind the tire with the correct size wrench and undo the four nuts that hold the entire carrier on. Then you got a tire and carrier in just under 2 minutes flat! I installed one way nuts on my carrier bracket. "

Reply:
:!:

okay, that just sucks. so excuse my ignorance but the one way nuts then make yours more theft resistant? i guess you thread them on, but they don't thread back off? is that how they are one way?

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 23, 2006 10:10 pm

Quote:

okay, that just sucks. so excuse my ignorance but the one way nuts then make yours more theft resistant? i guess you thread them on, but they don't thread back off? is that how they are one way?

Hard to explain. They look like little pyramids with a threaded hole in the center. You use a special tool to put them on either on top of or in place of a standard nut. Then there is nothing to grip to take them off. They sell them on Ebay for under $5 or so for a set of 2. They work with any stud of the correct size, not just spare tire mounts.

7873libertee · **Posted:** Mon Oct 23, 2006 10:22 pm

Okay, I get it. Thanks for the info!

Spare tire "key"

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