Locking Wheel Bolts - Some Questions

[EssEmmDee]

In a perfect world where wheels are always torqued accurately to spec, and removed at every B service you will never have a problem with dry threads. Unfortunately we live in a world of tyre fitters who like to use the gun, and service centres that can’t be bothered to take the wheels off at every B service. For that reason I have my own habit. Not up for debate though. 38 years in the trade, works for me.

if you've got a process that works for you that's spot on.

Luckily I've got take tyre fitters that are happy for me to stand over them chatting while I get my tyres changed but I know that's not everyone, and in fairness to them, they always use a spinner and torque wrench when reinstalling as opposed to a gun.

Most garages and outfits now just employ bolters, as opposed to decent mechanics and fitters, and there's a massive difference in their standards and work ethic.

 

[SmartAmg]

when you say prone to breaking, how?
do they shear, or are you saying the head just mashes?

Never known one to shear. But as you say
the lock puzzle, tends to break, if that makes sense. I stick by what I said, they are a waste of time.

 

[EssEmmDee]

Never known one to shear. But as you say
the lock puzzle, tends to break, if that makes sense. I stick by what I said, they are a waste of time.

in truth they're a relic of a bygone era, when alloy wheels were the exception rather than the norm, like removable head units.
Now everything has alloy wheels and nobody bats an eyelid.
Now they've just turned into another accessory to push onto the customer, top end OEM's will sell the locking wheel nuts as a nice to have gucci bling accessory in a plush presentation box that the owner can just keep with the car and never use.
Nice presentation box, velour interior, titanium locking nuts, and machined tool head, all very pretty. And in that box is where they stay, unless the owner wants to punt them on fleabay of course.