I don't see how they were able to do that. The cars are not equipped with wheel locks from the factory. They are added afterwards, and the lock/key combo you get is entirely random based on what's in the parts inventory at the time you get the locks. So there's no matching of the keys to the chassis or VIN number. Unless the dealer inputs a key code or something into the maintenance database at the time of installation, I don't see how providing a chassis or VIN number can help except to narrow the range of locks that might fit (e.g. locks for an e39). But obviously it worked for you so maybe there's something I'm missing here. hmmmwent to my BMW dealer and with the chassis number they were able to order me one from BMW
I completely forgot about that. I should look around my garage and see if I can remember where I put it. Thanks!Need4Spd said:The reality is that there aren't that many key combos so most dealers will have enough to find the right one that fits. The BMW sets come with 2 keys. What happened to the other one?
ELEVENS said:I don't know if this will work on the BMW locks, but I've read that on some wheel locks, if you can find a tight-fitting, sacrificial socket, you can hammer it onto the wheel nut or bolt. The interference-fit might be tight enough to allow loosening. It that works, you'll probably want to buy a new lock (and a new socket).
Not standard from what I remember. You certainly don't have one in that photo.Stickman said:Are wheel locks standard? I have cleaned my wheels and don't recall seeing a wheel lock. What do they look like? Photo of one of my wheels is attached (just happened to have one!)
Thanks for your help.
Nuts - sorry, poor joke.KBK said:And I finally got my 2 new 'front stock' sized rims..and am ready to take my E-bay purchased new-to-me used Winter tires..to my 'quality' mechanic..and no wheel lock tool in sight!
I have no way to take the tires/wheels off... and I'm at least 170km from the nearest BMW location. That's just freaking great. They never gave me the thing when I bought the car. From a BMW dealership... I might add. And the dealership I bought it from..is 400km away.
Nice.
One mechanic trick is to get a socket that barely fits over the lock, hammer it on, and then remove (now non reusable) lock and socket. I think 6 pt. works best for grip. Try SAE for metric sizes and vice versa.KBK said:The sad part is, I have to drive 25 km to my mechanic and the weather is perfect for that right now. By the time such a wheel lock device gets here, my time will have passed and the weather will be nasty again. Like, undriveable, with the dunlop 9000's.