How to steal rims - Dodge Dakota Forum

Subject: How to steal rims
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My 02 Dakota came with a set of McGard wheel locks installed by the dealer. I had my truck in yesterday for brakes and I always retorque my lug nuts after anybody has been near them with an impact gun. The dumb mother fukker put the driver side on so tight (I estimate 160-200ft/lbs) that the key broke and exploded the lock when I tried to remove it. Thinking I was totally fukked and would have to either mangle the rim or break the stud, I began searching for a solution.

Eventually, I found that an <B>18mm 12 point deep-well socket could be pounded over the wheel lock</B> and the busted POS came off like a regular lug nut. I removed the other 3 wheel locks the same way.

The next two things seemed logical. I went by the dealership and told the brain dead chimp, in front of his boss, what he had done and the trouble he caused. The owner of the dealership gave me a credit for 5 free oil changes. I said thanks but no thanks, see ya never. Bye bye. I then explained that I was in the market for a Liberty but I would be taking my business elsewhere.

I then removed the wheel locks on my wifes minivan and threw them in the garbage. If somebody wants my rims that bad, take them. I have insurance. I would recommend that anybody who has McGard wheel locks on their rigs, chuck them in the garbage before they bite you in the ass. If you're just too paranoid to part with them, at least remove them before some brain dead dickhead with an impact gun tries to ruin your day.

I also occured to me that wheel locks are friggin useless. With 4 18mm sockets I could steal a set of rims in under 5 minutes. Hmmmm. Maybe one more trip to the dealership. bwahahaha

I'll apologize in advance to all the professional techs out there who are offended by my characterization of the brain dead dick head who serviced my vehicle. I do not mean to generalize and I applaud those of you who cringe at the thought of putting rims back on with an impact gun and not a torque wrench. The "tech" who serviced should be shot and pissed on.

mikec041
Dodge Dakota
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1/04/2006
20:27:54

RE: How to steal rims
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using a deep socket and hammer is the hard way.
Do you think tire shops worry if the customer forgets the lug lock key? The idea of any lock is to keep the "Honest man honest" won't stop a bad guy

Paul
Dodge Dakota
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1/05/2006
08:25:58

RE: How to steal rims
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I agree with you on procedure, torque is a must!
Sears has a 3 piece set for removing locks and rounder lugs. Kinda looks like a deep impact socket with a reversed "easy-out". Will fit "most" lugs/locks even with limited space around the lug.

GraphiteDak
GenIII

1/05/2006
11:24:21

RE: How to steal rims
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I have locks on ours. But I know they COULD be removed that way. But I still think they come in handy to keep the average Joe from taking the time using a socket and hammer out in public to steal rims.

The sockets on our Caravan are deep in the rim. Sure would take a narrow socket to get them off.

I keep the key taped to a wrench for that vehicle. So while the rest of the bolts get used with the impact, the locks are removed/tightened with a wrench.

ExDakota
Dodge Dakota
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1/05/2006
13:25:09

RE: How to steal rims
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That stinks that the tech did that to your wheels. That being said, it sounds like the manager acknowledged the problem and tried to make it right. It sounds like he would have taken ownership of the problem if you hadn't already fixed it.

Unless there is something further, this sounds like the kind of dealer that I would give a second chance, unless I knew that this wasn't an isolated incident. The difference between a good business and a bad business is not the fact that they had a problem, but how the problem is handled.

Leviticus
Dodge Dakota
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1/05/2006
18:50:06

RE: How to steal rims
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I agree with ExDakota...however trying to correct the problem by giving him something of literally no value to them (five free oil changes) whoooeeee! is far from correcting a problem like that. He shouldve offered some decent alternatives, instead of waving some worthless oil change in front of him. How bout replacing the lugnuts that are now missing, or offering to replace with new locking ones? Perhaps a coupon of value like..15% off youre next service (any service). How companies think giving crap away to cover their aZZ is good business practice is beyond me.

ExDakota
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2006
09:51:27

RE: How to steal rims
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They might have. Usually when someone presents their side of the story, they do it in such a way that shows them in the most positive light.
The way this experience was recalled makes him sound like he went in attacking the staff. If this is his side, you have to wonder how hostile he really was.

.boB
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2006
21:54:11

RE: How to steal rims
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Lug nut locks are a waste of money and a pain in the behind. There are a couple of companies (like Snap-On) making a socket specifically for removing these things without the key. Anybody can buy one (or 12).

Dakota Red
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2006
14:29:10

RE: How to steal rims
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Back again

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