New style Cherokee Lug bolts

[redjeep]

A buddy of mine just stopped by and the lock for his wheel is stripped out.  The new Cherokee's have full wheel bolts, not studs and nuts like normal. The guy at the tire shop just put the key on an impact and buzzed it right around.  He has gotten 2 more new keys but can't get them to bight.  I took a 2x4 and ratchet strapped it to the end of the breaker bar through the rim so it couldn't come out of the bolt but it still just spun.  The end of the bolt is about 1/2 inch down into the aluminum rim so welding on a nut would be hard, never mind trashing the finish on the wheel.

He took it to Zellers Tire in Torrington and they couldn't get it off either.

Got any good tricks? 

I'm wondering if I put the welding tip on my torch if I could heat up the bolt without trashing the rim too bad. 

He said he saw on Youtube where they take a 12 point socket and smash it down over the bolt head.  I was wondering if we could do that with a deep socket then use the stick welder through the 1/2 square hole to weld the socket to the bolthead.  Hopefully welding inside the socket will, 1 heat up the whole bolt to loosen it, and 2 the socket would contain the spatter and heat so the rim doesn't get trashed.

What do you think?

I told him to give Toce's in Torrington a call and call the dealership to see if they have any advice.

 

[Greenhorn]

I have done this before, but it won't work with a hex head. It needs to be a round OD like a locking lug. :
Carefully pick out a sacrificial, strategicly sized 6 point socket.
Bash it onto the OD so it "self broaches" a spline grip. Apply breaker bar and pipe if necessary. Prayer helps.

 

[TJlongworth]

I would try and weld a nut on it, put the nut on and line the surrounding area in aluminum foil and go to town

 

[TJlongworth]

I'd give it a shot

 

[JohnyPro]

Wow… reason 1,368,903 why not to have wheel locks…

 

[2ndgearhero]

welding a nut is as solid as you can get with this type of predicament in my opinion, wrap the wheel with a welding blanket and go to town.  My mind also goes to seeing if you can split the nut somehow

 

[Greenhorn]

welding a nut is as solid as you can get with this type of predicament in my opinion, wrap the wheel with a welding blanket and go to town.  My mind also goes to seeing if you can split the nut somehow

Removing the head of the bolt so it no longer obstructs wheel removal (leaving the threads in at least untill the wheel is off) .....sheesh

 

[2ndgearhero]

welding a nut is as solid as you can get with this type of predicament in my opinion, wrap the wheel with a welding blanket and go to town.  My mind also goes to seeing if you can split the nut somehow

Removing the head of the bolt so it no longer obstructs wheel removal (leaving the threads in at least untill the wheel is off) .....sheesh

I've worked on a few VW's previously.  I got lucky with an oversized screw extractor, like 3/4" in diameter.  That got the security bolt out

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[BC Miller]

Can you use a rounded head bolt extractor that bites when you unscrew it?

 

[A new level]

I’ve done the weld on trick and the snap on version of these before. Both work well.

https://www.amazon.com/Remover-Pieces-Socket-Set-Extractor/dp/B099KC1XRY/ref=asc_df_B099KC1XRY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=532565192785&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5028745862183783506&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007343&hvtargid=pla-1410254880863&psc=1

 

[redjeep]

There is a sleeve on the outside of the bolt that spins.  I wonder if those are strong enough to crush it into the bolt.

I haven't heard back yet so I don't know if Toce or the Dealer had an option for him.

 

[A new level]

Ugh what a carp idea! This is what happens when something goes from design engineer directly to production.

 

[2ndgearhero]

Ugh what a carp idea! This is what happens when something goes from design engineer directly to production.

To be fair to the guy who came up with it; no one is getting that wheel off!

Terry, could you use this?

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[redjeep]

I wonder how hard the bolt would be to try and drill.  I've had shitty luck trying to get regular vice grips to stick to normal wheel locks which leads me to believe thy are pretty hard.

I figured he would stop by today when I was out in the garage but nothing back from him yet.

 

[Pete]

If I recall a wheel lock didn't stand a chance to the winch when we ripped the wheel off on the trail.

 

[PaulW]

Smash a 6 point impact socket over it and with a strong impact keep beating it in reverse.  Eventually it will scrape off the chrome and bite into it removing the lug.  I use a 20mm impact on McGuard wheel locks.  Works everytime.

 

[JeepinMaxx]

If I recall a wheel lock didn't stand a chance to the winch when we ripped the wheel off on the trail.

I remember that "fix" at the campground (if I remember the stud finally let go)  One of the reasons I've never run wheel locks on my Jeep!

 

[beaker]

They make  lock removers why fight it get one.Universal Locking Lug Nut Removal Set
https://www.harborfreight.com/universal-locking-lug-nut-removal-set-58535.html

 

[beaker]

The campground fix was when we had most of the lug nut off but nothing left to grab.  Had a buddy torch another off for me some years ago.  Keep oxy acet on the lug and melt off.

 

[Paul]

opcorn: