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Car Forum / Mercedes-Benz Cars / March 2008Alloy wheel security bolts - key mislaid - 03 W203
Can anybody offer any advice on how I might identify a part number for the correct key to remove OEM security bolts from my 2003 C270cdi? I went to my local dealer, who had a kit of 24 keys, none of which fitted. They did advise me that their kit only covers current models, and that it may not have been correct for the 2003 models. My bolts have a slot cut in a symmetrical pattern, resembling the six petals of a flower, per this pic: http://homepage.eircom.net/~jconsidi/myfiles/W203_studs.jpg any help or alternative suggestions very much appreciated. My local tyre fitter has a tool with a left-hand tapered thread to grip and unscrew the bolts, but unfortunately there is insufficient clearance in the wheel to allow it to work. I want to resort to drill-out as an absolute last resort. John I've just realised that the pattern is not symmetrical, from examining the photograph. JC I am guessing MB Ireland corporate office has a customer support number like in the U.S. Give them a call and ask for help with a technical question. They should transfer you to one of their techs who can help you out. He should be able to look up your car by VIN and be able to give you a part number or at least a range of part numbers. Doug That is McGard lock... Aftermarket wheel lock. however, it would be hard to buy the right key without the key code. There is a wheel lock removal key kit to remove the key without drilling it out. Expensive kit but maybe someone has it. Last choice is send an actual picture of the lock to McGard lock and see if they can match the key for you. I have been known to BANG a cheap 12 point socket on it and unscrew the lock off! Get one that just about fits over the edge of it and a Big a.s hammer. > Can anybody offer any advice on how I might identify a part number for > the correct key to remove OEM security bolts from my 2003 C270cdi? I [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > John Thanks for the replies so far. I would think that if MB Ireland had a facility, the local dealership would have known about it. I have a good relationship with their parts manager, built up over 25 years of MB ownership. I am fairly sure the wheels and bolts ARE oem, the keys in the dealers kit were very close to the pattern. The Bang method is beckoning right enough. For now, I will visit a few more dealerships in the next week or so - I travel a fair bit for business purposes. I might get lucky. I will also look around their stocks of used MBs, maybe I will spot a match. John > Thanks for the replies so far. I would think that if MB Ireland had a > facility, the local dealership would have known about it. I have a > good relationship with their parts manager, built up over 25 years of > MB ownership. > I am fairly sure the wheels and bolts ARE oem, the keys in the dealers > kit were very close to the pattern. If it's OEM and the dealer doesn't know how to deal with it, then obviously that dealer is an idiot. The dealer should most definitely be able to identify whether it is OEM or not and if it is, deal with it. Could you stand there with a straight face when they told you they only could take care of security bolts on current year models, but not one 5 years old? I would most definitely follow the advice to contact MB directly and escalate this. > The Bang method is beckoning right enough. > For now, I will visit a few more dealerships in the next week or so - > I travel a fair bit for business purposes. I might get lucky. I will > also look around their stocks of used MBs, maybe I will spot a match. That ain't likely. If it were that easy, thieves would do the same thing and the security lugs would be useless. > John THEY ARE OUT! I really appreciate all your help and suggestions. A friend of mine gave me a 3/4 19mm metrinch socket today, with the bang method it had them out in seconds. So much for beating the wheel thief...I had picked up four plain bolts when I was at the dealer's, so they are now fitted in place of the security ones. I'm almost looking forward to a puncture ;-) http://homepage.eircom.net/~jconsidi/myfiles/bolts_out.JPG Pic shows the bolts and the socket that did the business. Thanks again to you all John Just like most locks... keeps the honest people out > That ain't likely. If it were that easy, thieves would do the same > thing and the security lugs would be useless. You'd be surprised how easily "antitheft" devices are defeated. The club is sawed through in seconds, even if it has a fancy piece of reflective tape on it or whatever gimmick they are peddling today. Most antitheft things rely on consumer fear, or on the philosophy that making it a little harder to steal a car will steer thieves to an easier target. But the reality is that most are crap. Alarm systems? I bet you could set off a car alarm system, open the car up, drive away with it still going off, and not a soul would call the police. They would more likey say something like,"They must have been ignored as a child. Now they just want everyone to look at them." And both of us who mentioned the bang method have done it successfully in the past. Apparently now a third has done it. > I have been known to BANG a cheap 12 point socket on it and unscrew the lock > off! Get one that just about fits over the edge of it and a Big a.s hammer. I have also done this. I used a closed end 24 mm wrench on mine, but You apparently don't have room for that. I guess the socket is your best bet. The lock that I had to deal with had a slight taper to it so as I banged the wrench on it dug in. Good Luck! Bill >I have been known to BANG a cheap 12 point socket on it and unscrew the >lock > off! Get one that just about fits over the edge of it and a Big a.s > hammer. I wonder if an impact socket is a better choice than a standard one? Almost all impact sockets are 6 point. They suck at this. Also, impact socket are softer metal than a standard chrome socket so they don't shatter when you put them on a impact gun! A 12 point chrome socket has 12 sharp hard teeth to dig into the lock. > >I have been known to BANG a cheap 12 point socket on it and unscrew the > >lock > > off! Get one that just about fits over the edge of it and a Big a.s > > hammer. > > I wonder if an impact socket is a better choice than a standard one? |
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