Removing wheel locks

[J.Bond]

Finnally getting around to getting rid of parts cars on my property, have a 70 merc cyclone that I'm kicking out,  however it has front disc brakes.  The aluminum slots have  1 wheel lock each, does anyone here, have a trick for removal.  I was hoping to use a grinder over cutting torches, as to keep from damaging the existing rims.

[tan top]

are they key locked sleeve  to cover the   nut   or just   a funny  shaped nut ? , can you get a picture ?

[J.Bond]

They look like McGuard puzzle locks.

[rt green]

a custom wheel shop will sell you one so nothing gets ruined. have used an air hammer with a chisel bit to get them off customer cars. but you get flying metal and one slip-  also, the tool truck guys will have a universal set of sockets that does the trick.

[J.Bond]

Just talked to buddy of mine that has had this problem before, told me to grind the chrome off the puzzle face, center weld a 3/4 nut to the lock. and remove with a socket, do it quickly enough, and the heat from the weld will assist with removal. Going to go that route, and see if it works.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I just bang a slightly oversized socket over the lug & have at it with an impact gun

[J.Bond]

I just bang a slightly oversized socket over the lug & have at it with an impact gun

Just 69 CHRG;
That was easy,  did have to grind in some flat spots on the lock, but, job done.  Thank You!!!!!!!!

James

[ODZKing]

The way the thieves do it is simple, as 6t9chgr said, take a socket you don't care about, poundit on the and let 'er rip.
It'll come off.
The only time they WON't come off is when you have them and you're on the sid eof the road with no key in the middle of winter with a flat tire!!!   
Those things are useless.   

[mauve66]

well, not useless, at least the theif won't be able to get them off either while your hitchhiking to the gas station to get a tow truck, oh yeah, we have cell phones nowadays............

[J.Bond]

Just pounding a socket on the lock really didn't do it. Had to take a grinder and mimick 6 sides to the lock to get some grip. Keep in mind that this car has been sitting out side here for 15 years. Even the wheel lugs gave me some grief , even with my impact gun.

[areibel]

I just bang a slightly oversized socket over the lug & have at it with an impact gun

Man you guys are smart!  Just last fall I had he same problem, and I would up drilling it out- took a 1/2" bit in my big drill and went right through the center, then I could hammer it and break the stud. Not a way I would recommend though- I think it was about an hour of drilling and three bits to get it done.

[tan top]

 what the other guys say    

also
got a number of sets off in the past  ,  either  weld a nut on the top if possible  ,  but  what i end up doing the most ,
get a old socket that fits as tightly as possible over the locking nut  ,  next is the the tricky bit  , try marking  the shape of the lock nut pattern of a piece of paper , the  copy that  , to socket i mentioned above by welding the shape in the socket / then grinding  with a tiny  carbide bit on a dremmel ,  once it sort of fits  , then   knock it on with a hammer , sometimes the shape needs re welding for each nut  , if you can heat up the lug nut a little with a torch  just before the modified socket goes on so much the better