theft prevention lug nuts- may not have the socket
 

Had my new to me 02 S on the lift yesterday doing my first oil change. As the oil was draining I did a cursory inspection of the underside then moved to suspension/wheels. I noticed each wheel has one " security " lug nut.........hmmm I don't remember a socket in the tool kit. Today I'll take a better look through the tool kit/car to see if the correct socket is somewhere. But if I don't find the correct socket how do I remove those lug bolts ? I plan to replace with a conventional lug bolt. Do independant shops have a universal socket or is there a trick or take to a dealer ? I'm hoping I find the socket. And where to purchase lug bolts ? Dealer or ?

This is going to sound brutal, but it works. Find an old socket that just barely is too small. Drive it onto the lock with a sledge or heavy hammer. Put a breaker bar or impact wrench on it and the lock will come right off. The socket I used held out for all four locks. It was toast after that, but it worked and it was free.

There are sockets that supposedly are made for bolts/nuts where the head is rounded/stripped. I'm wondering if they would grab ? I'll keep in mind the " hammer " method. Thanks

My socket actually split on me while trying to remove. I just stopped by the local Porsche dealer where they had one and removed the lug bolt free of charge. Just make sure to bring extra lug bolts to replace the old ones.

Last fall I broke my white metal(seemed like it) socket trying to remove the security lug nut. Fortunately my indy shop came to the rescue and removed all 4 security lug nuts from the wheels . I have OEM wheels and new tires but I don't park my car in dark alleys so I am not too concerned about theft.
Cheers,G.:)
PS There is a company in the US that supplies these theft key sockets. You have to take a pic of the sec. bolt and send it to them. I found it just easier to get rid of the darn things.

I tried the whole Porsche Dealer method. I went to two both swearing they had the master keys. Neither did. I also tried those special sockets you are referring to none fit. Then I did the "hammer" method as you called it. 5 minutes later I was putting new lug bolts in without the locks.

It should be in the tool kit, if not.... Im sure there are owners in your area on the forum, maybe one would be willing to lend you theirs.

Each key lock and bolt are different. Unfortunately, you must go to a dealer for the master key. Or you do the socket and hammer method (hint hint stomp stomp)

You might find it in the pouch in the spare tire cover.

yes look all down into the pouch mine fell out of the tool kit and was at the bottom of the spare tire cover.

I think these are more of a nuisance for the owners than an actual theft prevention lug nuts. I want to change all my lugnuts to standard ones. These locks only prevents the owners from removing the wheels when it comes to Porsche's.

Honda's are a different category. I'd have 4 sets on each wheel and these still will not keep thieves from stealing your wheels.

Just another reason to get rid of them.

I believe this is the ONLY forum that I come across that hates anti-theft lug nut/bolt. It's more helpful than you think. It's not an anti-theft device per-se, only a deterrent. When it's torqued properly down, it's really hard to take off w/o impact wrench.

I just don't see the big deal is. It's very helpful to have anti-theft lug nuts/bolts.

I want to get rid of my security lug nuts. As soon as I find a set of new lugs. :)

I have insurance to cover theft. There is a point where you just can't prevent bad stuff. Theft proof motor mount nuts?

To me- the chances are much greater that I will need to change a flat on a dark/wet/cold night in east LA than to have someone pull my wheels in at the Holiday Inn. And I want only one kind of lug nut to worry about.

As a deterrent Yes - prevention - no.
But the real question is what is the likelyhood someone will steal these wheels? I'm with Davev on this one.

Using an impact wrench on these is a big no no. You will crack the socket. I already know that from experience. Once you crack this socket there's no turning back. You have to remove all of them which I did on one of my cars. With it a bunch of scracthes in the lug hole where they used their tool to remove it.

I've never heard of anyone on Porsche forums having their wheels stolen and I'm on several forums and a 20+ years of Porsche ownership. I've heard of their car being stolen but not just the wheels.

It's only my opinion.

Removing security lugs bolts - sucess.
 

This topic makes me a little nervous because for many of us with stock 17 inch wheels the theft protection probably isn't really needed. Who is going to steal those wheels in the days of 18" 19" etc wheels? But, if you have a higher end optional wheel then the security lugs make sense.

During the process of repairing, rebuilding, and parting, I've gotten pretty good at getting those off. At first I bought every security socket that I could (priced reasonable) looking for exactly the one I needed. When I couldn't find exactly what I needed, then I took one that matched at least 4 of the slots and used a dremel tool to remove the other bumps. That worked great, but even then it could be hard to match every application. Finally, I had one car left that I didn't have an acceptable fit, so the socket and hammer method came to mind.

At first I tried a normal socket. I guess I'm not willing to beat the heck out of a Porsche, because I could NOT get the socket on well enough that it didn't come off when then turning with a wrench.

Next I tried a Craftsman #13 Bolt Out (see photo). It worked very well. You slam it on with a sledge, then turn. It is designed to grip the bolt head tighter as you turn, but be careful, if it does slip, it will shave the metal and then, because the diameter of the bolt head has been reduced, it won't get as good a grip on the bolt the next time. WARNING, it will severely scare the head.

To the moderators, I'm okay if this determined to be too much info for the bad guys and deleted. I'm hoping only the good guys will find it, but that's really more like wishful thinking.

Hesitantly,
Joe
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Theft don't have schedule and sure they won't give you notice.

Thieves don't care about breaking their own socket... what the hell you talking about? hahah... JK. I know what you meant but I was talking about stealing it.

Well, I heard these design socket are weak but I prefer the McGard brand and thinkking of doing stud/nut conversion.

stolen example

But hey... it's your car, you can do whatever you want.

The problem I've ran into is whenever I take the car for new tires. Each time I do this those jokers never torque the studs properly. On my 944 turbo they overtightened. When I tried to rotate the tires the special socket broke.

I've had to do this twice. Ever since then I only used standard lug nuts.

I can't speak for all Discount Tire stores but several stores in my area do torque them properly. However, they will knick your wheel if you don't tell them about it bc they use sockets w/o rubber cover.

They are a PITA...get rid of them. One of the first things I did when I bought my Box or any other P-Car. Funny thing is people actually buy those used on eBay...can't figure.

I cant believe how common it is not to have the Porsche lug nut bolt key to remove the locking bolts........There must be a tire changer or mechanic somewhere that has all these lost/stolen lugnut bolt keys..........I had the same problem. Took it to the closest Porsche dealer and they were nice enough to take the locking lugnut bolts off for free using their master key. They did it in less than 5 minutes. I was so impressed I slipped them 15 bucks for lunch.........

Lost anti-theft lug key
 

An earlier post suggested finding a socket barely too small and beat it onto the anti-theft lugs. What size socket? Impact or regular? 6,8 or 12 point? Metric or standard?I want to go pick up a few sockets or check my tool box and take care of this problem. Have new lugs in hand ready to install.

HELP

No one answered the last part of his question. I ask because I've thought about replacing my lugs (including the security ones), though I really haven't started looking yet.

I'm in a quandary. I just bought the car and several tires have cord showing on 2 of the 4 tires. The nearest Porsche dealer is 32 miles away and they can/will remove the lugs for me. I do not want to drive there and back then go somewhere else to have tires put on. I would prefer to take the anti-theft lugs off myself and not take the chance of Bubba or Cooter destroying my rims while trying to remove the lugs (self-help). If I bugger up the rims, I have nobody to blame but myself.

23 mm 12 sided not impact works for me everytime

itsnotanova,

THANKS. On my way to buy a few sockets.

Reminder
 

To anyone new to this forum. If you have lock lug nuts on your Boxster replace them with regular lug nuts and throw the "security" lug nuts as far as you can. They are nothing but a pain in the ass. No one wants your wheels. And if they did, they know every trick in the book on how to get them.

I actually had the wheels of a car stolen off the car. It was my first car, a mint condition Accord hatch back that I practically stole thanks to a generous alumni of my college. I parked the car in front a friend's house for a get together. I heard what sounded like the text book Honda ignition but paid it no mind. Came outside car is gone like the wind. Spent a few days calling the police with no success. Then I get a call from the NYPD asking me to call an impound lot in a really bad part of the Bronx. "We have your car, bring a tow truck and some wheels". I'd never been to the Bronx before... I took a mechanic friend of mine. As soon as we parked a swarm of NY's finest came from all directions in their squad cars with their guns drawn. A crime was in progress directly accross the street. :D Only in NYC. My car had no wheels, no brake calipers, no radio of course, they pried out the digital clock on the dash and even tried taking apart the windshield but gave up. Back in NJ we drove to a junkyard and picked up much of what I needed.
That wasn't fun and now that I think about it explains a recurring dream I've had over years where I park my Boxster and come back to find it's gone. Which reminds me why did everyone stop using those red steering locks that were so popular in the 1990's?

Thanks for the feedback on removing the anti theft lugs. The 23mm deep well, 12pt socket worked like a dream.

first thing I did when I got my car was toss those things

I'm still on the fence. They are a pain to deal with, but they are also a deterrent. I'm not worried about the Porsche enthusiast who will see my crappy 17" rims and taking them. Just the idiot kids who think it would be cool to take them because they have a Porsche logo and think they might be worth something.

If they want the Porsche logo, they can easily pull the center caps, much easier than jacking up the car and unbolting 4 wheels