Lug nut locks

[iamunique127]

We orered the aluminum wheels and I want to keep them so I think I'll put on lug nut locks, like on my truck, when we pick up our 5.0TA .

When looking for lug nut locks online I see all types of different bases on them, flat, varying angles, etc.

It appears, from the views of the aluminum wheels I have seen on Escapes, that there is just a flat surface where the lug nut tightens down. Am I correct in that?

Anyone else have lug nut locks on their Escapes? I searched the topic but didn't come up with any useable results.

[cpaharley2008]

one more thing you will need to remember where it is located
,.... the wheel lug key.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by iamunique127

It appears, from the views of the aluminum wheels I have seen on Escapes, that there is just a flat surface where the lug nut tightens down. Am I correct in that?

I don't know, but if the seating surface for the nut is flat, it would need to have a shank which extends into a non-tapered hole in the wheel. This was a common style for alloy wheels, but is now unusual, at least for motor vehicles.

The steel wheels will use a tapered nut to match the tapered seat in the wheel. Are the same nuts used for the alloys and for the steel wheels?

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

one more thing you will need to remember where it is located
,.... the wheel lug key.

I couldn't find the key for the "locking" security nuts on my van after I did some work (must have dropped it in the gravel somewhere), so I had the dealership take them off and replace them with stock nuts. This is so much more convenient that when I bought my most recent (used) car, I had the dealership take the security nuts off and replace them with standard nuts before I took delivery.

Local conditions, and thus desire for security nuts, varies. I've never heard of wheels being stolen from a vehicle anywhere that I've lived or from a vehicle owned by anyone I know. I'm sure it has happened, but lightning also strikes people... I'm not worrying about that either.

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

...I've never heard of wheels being stolen from a vehicle anywhere that I've lived or from a vehicle owned by anyone I know. I'm sure it has happened, but lightning also strikes people... I'm not worrying about that either.

I feel the same as you on this Brian, however, we are probably not hanging out in the right (or wrong) places. I am sure this guy feels differently.

Maybe it was this guy? http://www.gifbin.com/985533

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by ice-breaker

I feel the same as you on this Brian, however, we are probably not hanging out in the right (or wrong) places. I am sure this guy feels differently.

Absolutely - location dependent.
On the other hand, given the sticker in the window, the consistent line of trucks, and the nice blocks used, I think that's a new truck getting the wheels swapped out for fancier ones. If anyone wants to take my wheels and put better ones on, they're welcome to do so!

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

I think that's a new truck getting the wheels swapped out for fancier ones. If anyone wants to take my wheels and put better ones on, they're welcome to do so!

Nope. The photo is from Patriot GMC in Bartlesville Oklahoma. Thieves got away with the wheels of 76 vehicles in all. Definitely not amateurs.

76 wheels stolen from vehicles at Bartlesville dealership - Tulsa World: Bartlesville News

[cpaharley2008]

That is a lot of cinder blocks to haul around....

[J Mac]

I Don't think a locking lug nut is any match for a long handled torque wrench.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by J Mac

I Don't think a locking lug nut is any match for a long handled torque wrench.

It is if there's nothing to grab. The outside is round. There are some tools designed to clamp on to the outside of the round lug and turn it anyway, but a dedicated thief would probably try to grind the lug flat in a couple places so they could wrench it off.

[J Mac]

A tapered, round, socket can be got! So can vice grips. A dedicated thief would come prepared.

[gbaglo]

I found with the RAV4's fancy 18 inch rims, that if you hit the curb a couple times, it deters thieves.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by J Mac

A tapered, round, socket can be got! So can vice grips. A dedicated thief would come prepared.

Right, there are tools designed to clamp on to the round surface, but they take a lot of clamping force to stay in place or the tool will just spin. Locking lug nuts are a very effective theft deterrent. I worked as a cop from 1985 to about 2000. In those 15 years I took alot of theft reports for stolen wheels -- but not one for stolen wheels with locking lugs. Can they be defeated? Of course. But, the vast majority of thieves would just move on to an easier target.

[Jim Bennett]

Not just a location issue, but a personal choice too. I could not be bothered to use locking lug nuts. Too many other things to stress my limited number of brain cells on.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Nope. The photo is from Patriot GMC in Bartlesville Oklahoma. Thieves got away with the wheels of 76 vehicles in all. Definitely not amateurs.

76 wheels stolen from vehicles at Bartlesville dealership - Tulsa World: Bartlesville News

"Only" 19 vehicles = 76 wheels. But I get the point: it's a theft!

Bizarre - why bother with the blocks? I suppose there's no jacking point that stays high enough to get the jack back out when the truck is dropped on the ground without wheels, since these trucks don't have much ground clearance. The detail photos show a tire under the truck - more strangeness, making me wonder even more about these thieves.

Anyway, interesting, but did they pass up the wheels with security nuts, or did they bring a suitable tool? Of course, if they planned it well they would hit only vehicles for which pre-delivery prep had not been done, and the security nuts not yet installed? Either way, it's still a question of balancing risk against convenience.


So, what't the ideal security level? If security nuts are needed on the wheels which are on the axle, then if the spare is also an alloy it will need one as well. And why stop at one? If other wheels have only one security nut, wouldn't thieves pass by wheels with two or more security nuts each? Those wheels are $85 each plus the tire, and the propane tanks are worth that together, so I guess the tanks need a lock. How about the battery... ? To be fair, the wheels are perhaps the most obvious target, and easy to sell, so the first to protect.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Bizarre - why bother with the blocks?

Put the blocks firmly under the vehicle, let the air out of the tires, and pull the wheels. No jacking required.

[J Mac]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Put the blocks firmly under the vehicle, let the air out of the tires, and pull the wheels. No jacking required.

Now how would you know that!?!?!?

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by J Mac

Now how would you know that!?!?!?

Was schooled in Midnight Auto Wrecking.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Put the blocks firmly under the vehicle, let the air out of the tires, and pull the wheels. No jacking required.

Good thinking - of course that could work with just the right size blocks or if the tire sidewalls are tall enough.. and if you get the blocks under the outboard end of the suspension, not under the frame. On the other hand, the detailed photos in this case show the block under the brake disk, so it could not have been placed until after the wheel was removed...

Originally Posted by J Mac

Now how would you know that!?!?!?

[gbaglo]

I'm gonna take the wheels off my RAV and bring them in the house at night.