Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[1897]

I just bought a 2011 335 i xdrive. It has one locking lug nut that I don’t recognize. It did not come with a lug nut key. Anyone recognize this? It almost looks like there is cover over the locking nut but it is rusted on. I have soaked in PB Blaster but pretty frozen on.

[Emilime75]

Some of these come off just by using a pick/hook tool in the center hole and you pull it right off...not sure about these. It also looks like there might be an actual lock bolt under the cap.

[1897]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

Some of these come off just by using a pick/hook tool in the center hole and you pull it right off...not sure about these. It also looks like there might be an actual lock bolt under the cap.

Thanks for the idea. I tried prying it off with pick but it didn't budge. Pick may not have been rigid enough but there wasn't really a lip that I could hook onto. There does look like some corrosion between the teeth which may be too much for a dental pick to pry apart.

[Serf27]

It does not have a plastic cap. It is the actual wheel bolt and you need the key to remove it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Mini-Co...8AAOSwLqFV8i2u

[1897]

Originally Posted by Serf27

It does not have a plastic cap. It is the actual wheel bolt and you need the key to remove it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Mini-Co...8AAOSwLqFV8i2u

Thanks. My lug looks different than the BMW locking lugs on that page. I can’t figure out how a key even fits on the lug.

[Serf27]

Your bolt is a female design and the lock will be male and goes into the wheel bolt.

Not sure how many different locks there are.

Best bet to go to a bmw dealership to see if they have a key or a tire shop so they can remove it.

[Emilime75]

You know, it almost looks like the style of lock that Serf27 posted, but with the key broken off inside it.

[neilvan]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

You know, it almost looks like the style of lock that Serf27 posted, but with the key broken off inside it.

^^ I agree with this; See if you can get the broken section out.

And as someone also said you can go to the dealership, try out all the options and buy the matching locking key from them

[1897]

Thanks for your ideas. I thought it might have a broken off male key as well but its so clean It didn’t look like something had broken off. Also pretty corroded so won’t pry off. Haven’t tried a big hammer yet which might free it or totally jam it on.

I will try dealer to see if they recognize and have a key. Otherwise time for the hammer.

[IllSic_Design]

Go to a tire/wheel place. They deal with stuff like this all the time and will most likely have a method/tool to get it off.

[Serf27]

The lock and the bolt fit on each other very snug.
If it did break off in there, I can see why it would like it belongs in there.

How do you other lock bolts look?

[1897]

This is the only wheel with a locking lug. Regular lugs were tough to remove. Ended up needing 4 foot pipe extension to get enough leverage to loosen.

[Serf27]

Yea, just go to bmw or a tire shop and get it removed.
Someone probably used an impact gun on it and snapped the lock. The locks aren’t usually torqued that much.

[1897]

Mavis said their lug extraction tool was too wide to fit in the recess and "grab" the lug. BMW was able to do it ($192 with tax) in about 10 minutes. I didn't get to see their tool but guessing it involved an impact wrench biting into the face of the lug (as opposed to biting into the outer edge that most extractors do).

BMW thought it was one of their locking lug nuts with the male "key" broken off inside the female lug as some of you guessed. Next time I'll try one of the lug extraction wrenches available on Amazone or Harbour Freight. And a big hammer.

[Serf27]

Just don’t torque them with a gun and you should be fine if you get another set.