Locking wheel bolts......

[S4INT]

Hi all - I'm a newbie here having recently bought a '98 S4 Avant from another forum member.

Right - first problem I've got is the headlight washer pump failure, so I've been to Audi, bought the part, gone to remove the nearside front wheel....and the locking wheel bolt key is missing!

Spoke to the previous owner who thought it was in the car, but it's not.

I've been back to Audi who have tried all their key types but none match.

So - anyone got any bright ideas about how to find the right key, or how to get them off?? (short of a large drill or an air chisel!!!)

I've attached a (very bad quality) picture in case anyone recognises the type??

[SimonS4MTM]

Not an audi bolt, go to a tyre fitter and see if they can help

[tartan_rob]

Looks like BMW or aftermarket. Why not try some tyre fitters? They normally carry a few different types...? Failing that RAC job?

[S4INT]

Don't think its BMW - aren't they the spline type?? At least it was on my 330 sport.

Thanks for the replies - I will try a few tyre fitters, but I think the chances of finding the right key are slim!

Was thinking about angle-grinding a slot in the face of the bolt and trying an impact driver on it??

[Nige_RS4]

Try here .... http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product_te ... bolts.html

They look like the McGuard ones.

[S4INT]

Thanks for that Nige - think you are right!

Got to send a high quality digi pic to McGard in Germany along with proof of ID and vehicle ownership, and they will match it up and send me the key.

[s4dan]

i have the magic tool at work that will get them of if you are close to cambridge u should pop in your see are web site under this

[Morpheous]

Call RAC out "if your tyre goes flat!" They carry tools which screw on to the bolt, this will however damage the bolt. Or you could do it yourself by bashing on a slightly smaller (old) socket over the bolt, then with a short extension and impact tool, undoing.
Have a new standard bolt standing by then get the proper locking wheel bolt set.
The type shown are rubbish and often fail to undo even with the correct tool.

[S4INT]

Thanks for the offer S4dan, but have now got my new key from McGard and all is well - got the wheels off at the weekend and changed the headlight washer pump and also the ABS control unit at the same time, so no more flashing lights on the dash!! (for now.......)

[ajsl]

Are the McGard bolts really that bad? I've got a set at home that I'm intending to put on - but now I'm unsure!

[S4INT]

I don't think they are bad - in fact my wheel bolts had been done up so tight that I actually broke my short socket extension undoing them, but no problems with the key itself.

[ajsl]

Thanks for that As for the tightness of the bolts. well apparently having them too tight can warp the brake disks? I use a torque wrench on mine

[jonno1]

Had a flat on a brand new Goodyear Eagle F1 (needed a new one!) - went to try to take the wheel off and the locking wheel nut (same shape as photo above) would not come off no matter how hard I tried and then the key shredded itself as the thread was not deep enough to get a good hold on. So the AA had to come out and after a lot of huffing and puffing he got it off by using a larger socket over the whole nut - destroying it in the process. Apparently this is a very regular occurrence (third that day for the guy that came out to me). He said its always that pattern that causes the problems and that the VAG standard is the multi pointed star which is much better cos it has a much deeper thread. So they are what I now have on the car (£24 from dealer as opposed to £35 for the other type from Halfords). Just glad it happened on a sunny day not far from home and not in the rain on the M1!!!