Hi,

I intended changing over my wheels back to Summer tyres today. Everything was going well until the last wheel.

I got my wheels balanced at the end of last year and it looks like the tyre fitter was far too keen with the air wrench and the locking wheel nut is broken.

The top half of the nut spins and the locking wheel nut key will not go over the entire nut so I cannot get enough purchase to free the nut. All that happens is the top half spins and the lower half (that actually is the business end) does not budge. I have tried hammering the locking wheel nut key into place but it will not hold.

I have searched and can see that some people have had to resort to drastic measures to get their wheel free (often damaging the wheel).

I wondered if anyone has any experience or tips/techniques for getting the locking wheel nut off with no damage?

Thanks in anticipation.

I had the same problem. First pass was with an angle grinder, then my brother in law invested in a tool set which did the other without any damage to the wheel.

Where in the UK are you? Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

I am in Alton, Hampshire.

What type of tool did you use?

Are you friendly with any RAC , AA mechanics? They usually have this tool set as part of their equipment. 
Had it, loved it!
2007 Vogue SE TDV8
Stornoway Grey / Ivory
Climatic Seats, RSE, AFS, Deployable steps, iPod kit.

It came from these guys - http://www.dynomec.co.uk/locking-wheelnut-remover.html

They do a special part for RR wheels.

Expensive, but nothing else cam close to budging it! Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

My son stripped one on his BMW. I drilled a small hole through the head, as a pilot, then got a drill the same diameter as the threaded part. I drilled through the head until it got to the threads and the head fell off. Take the wheel off and the remaining part just unscrewed. Previously..
Vogue SE TD6
Defender 90 2.4
Defender 110 TD5
Vogue 3.5 EFI

Tried that method on the RR nut and also some form of reverse thread type thing, but nothing came close to budging it. I guess it all depends how tight it's been put on. Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Doesn't matter how tight it is if you drill through the head with a 13mm drill or whatever it was... The head just falls off.  Previously..
Vogue SE TD6
Defender 90 2.4
Defender 110 TD5
Vogue 3.5 EFI

Indeed it does, but what was left on mine still wouldn't budge, hence the need for drastic action. Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Thanks for the replies.

I shall see if my local independent has a Dynomec tool.

Looked on ebay and they are around £100 without the Range Rover adapter!

I don't fancy drilling it off myself as I know what the outcome will be.

Last edited by Charmer on 2nd Mar 2013 9:43pm. Edited 1 time in total

Once off replace with std nuts. Had 2 on my Disco do that . I was able to remove one at the front by removing all nuts on wheel and driving is a circle at slow speed. The weight of the car combined with the turning action caused the nut to crack and fall off. This method is apparently used by some mechanics to remove broken locknuts doesn't work all the time but worked for me. The wheel does not fall off as a result due to slow speed. The second nut I had to take it to a garage and they used a blow torch to remove. I hate locknuts and will never use them for that reason.  Present :2008 TDV8 HSE
Gone Audi A5 2.7TDI
Gone Discovery 3 HSE
Gone Mercedes CLK
Gone Range Rover 2.5 DSE

Rest assured once this f ing thing is off they are all coming off and straight in the bin!

When a locking wheel nut jammed solid on my old SC, I asked my local LR main dealer to sort it when it next went in for a service. They initially said they would cover the cost of the labour if I paid for a new set of locking nuts (approx £32). But when I collected the car they apologised for damaging the wheel getting the nut off, and agreed to pay for the wheel to be repaired and also supplied the new locking nuts a locking key FOC.

They are stubborn getting them off. I was lucky that I was on good terms with my LR dealer.

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic6648.html

Good luck! 
Gone - Range Rover Supercharged 2006

Does anyone think that using an impact wrench will have any success?

The locking nut key is still intact.

I have only used brute force so far as I don't have an impact wrench.

Or is it the case that once the top half spins it is game over?

I had this problem with the locking nut.

Took it to my local tyre shop, they welded on another piece to this and then unscrewed it off. Took about 20mins and i gave the chap £20 for the trouble.

Save the headache and take it to a local tyre shop

Cheers Range Rover Autobiography Black Conversion