Van-side tyres
Locking nuts off when the key has vanished
It happens all the time, and most often on a car that has changed hands — the key stayed in somebody else’s glovebox, or an air gun rounded it off years ago. We get the nut off at the kerb without wrecking the wheel, put a plain set on in its place, and the tyre job carries on. Find the key in a drawer six months later and you won’t need it.
How the job runs
- Keys long gone, keys rounded off, and cars that arrived without one at all
- Part of the tyre visit, or on its own if that is the whole job
- The alloy matters, so we take the time rather than chew the face of the wheel
- Tell us the make — some sets come off quietly and some argue
Ring it through, or send it over and we will come back to you.
Asked a lot round here
Will the wheel be marked?
The aim is the nut off and the rim untouched, and that is how it usually ends. If one is far enough gone that shifting it would cost the alloy, we stop and talk it over with you first.
Can you leave an ordinary set on?
Yes. A plain set goes on so the next person taking a wheel off isn’t in the same fix. If you would rather have a fresh locking set instead, say so when you ring.