Hello all, long time since I've posted here but I check in from time to time. Anyway, I have a problem that's probably not unique, and I've searched but haven't found a solution.

Long story short, I mounted some 17" rims with all-season tires on them to use during the recent snow storms we had in the DC Metro ares. Now that the snow is finally over (hopefully!) I went to change back to the stock wheels today and stripped the key for the tuner lugs. These are 9 teeth internal spline type lugs. Here's a couple of pics of the broken key:



Sorry for the fuzzy iPhone pics, but you can see enough to get an idea what I'm dealing with. They key has 9 teeth and the main shaft diameter is roughly 1/2" (perhaps a hair over). These are cheap crap tuner lugs (think I bought them at Advanced Auto years ago) and I knew going in that this might be a problem, but I was desperate with all the blizzards we were getting. Any helpful ideas to get the lugs off will be greatly appreciated. I'd also like to get some actual quality lugs to replace them afterwards also since I'm hoping to use these rims (Enkei TBS-11's) for winter tires in the future. Unfortunately the lug wells are so tight that they can only use internal key type lugs - there's almost zero external clearance on the lugs!

 

most aftermarket lugs have tight dimensions in the lugs area. Best of luck.

 

Bump. Still in need of a solution here. Any help out there?!

 

Unfortunately, the cause is also the cure.

(wow. Something zen-like right there....)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/16-SM...Q5fAccessories

On the plus side, it's only twennybux.

S

.

 

Go back to advance or autozone and by the 4 lug set with a new key. These sets are a dime a dozen, I broke two outer spline keys from those cheap sets, and had to go back and pick up new full sets at autozone for like 20 bucks.. Time to upgrade lugs when u get them off and make sure not to torque cheap sets way down.

 

Actually...I have one that will work. If you can't figure out a solution I can meet up and give you a key.. I live right outside of dc, ans work in herndon...let me know

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. I found a 20 pc 9 point set on eBay (following Stealth's suggestion) so if I can't find anything locally I'll probably go ahead and order those . . . I'm hesitant about eBay crap, but worst case is I'll have a fairly cheap backup set. This is just for winter use afterall. I stopped by Advanced today and it was a waste of time. I may actually have bought them at PepBoys so I may stop by there when I have time. Shakey, thanks for the offer and if I'll definitely contact you if I get stuck on all other avenues. Actually, you probably pass within a mile of my house on the way to work everyday! Sweet bodykit also - probably the one I'd go with if I ever decide to mod/repaint my 8!

 

Thanks.. Yea I mean, let me know.. Like I said I have a 9 point key that would probably fit from my old lugs. If you want to give it a shot I can at least drop it off to you anytime this week at around noon or 10pm when I'm heading home. Might save you in the meantime if you get a flat or anything.

 

Just to post an update, I got the eBay tuner lugs and 9-point key in on Monday and it was a perfect match for my old lugs. I was finally able to change the wheels this evening. The key also appears to be of much better quality than the old one so I have hope that these new lugs/key will work well for me next winter. Big thanks to Stealth and Shakey for your help!