P38 wheel nuts

Hi

Need to take the wheels off, but hit a problem and not sure what is what.

I have searched the forums, but could not quite find a hit on this.

The wheels are standard and I am not sure they have a locking nut. All the nuts are chrome, none have a dimple on them. However, one nut on each of the front wheels does not allow the brace to fit over properly. Compared to the others (where the brace fits down to the collar on the nut), the one in question only allows the brace over the first 4-5mm, so you can get no purchase to turn them.

The rear wheels do not seem to have this problem, odd.

Are these locking nut covers (they will not budge at all) or damaged nuts? They look fine, no obvious damage.

I do not have the locking nut key in the car, hence was not convinced they are locking.

Thanks in advance again......

Its possable the nuts in question are swollen
What happens is the nut starts to rust causing the chrome cover to swell try using a slightly bigger socket

gfromleeds said:

Its possable the nuts in question are swollen
What happens is the nut starts to rust causing the chrome cover to swell try using a slightly bigger socket

Click to expand...

He could always try a socket from Halfrauds they are usually a sloppy fit.

I had same prob mate, my standard wheel brace wouldnt fit due to the chrome caps that are over original nut. I was told that over time these can rust slightly & stick to nut. I managed to source a 27mm socket & now use this with a large rachet which i find very easy & fits all mine perfect

wammers said:

He could always try a socket from Halfrauds they are usually a sloppy fit.

Click to expand...

Lol too true

i had the same problem on a bmw i had i chiseled the chrome covers off down one side and ripped em off after all they are pointless!

dom leadenham said:

i had the same problem on a bmw i had i chiseled the chrome covers off down one side and ripped em off after all they are pointless!

Click to expand...

Yeah the rusty wheel nuts underneath look much better.

So there is a chance that there is no locking nut (no dimples), just a swollen but?
Sounds painful.....

Cheers for the advice so far....

wammers said:

Yeah the rusty wheel nuts underneath look much better.

Click to expand...

:hysterically_laughi

JamesBB said:

So there is a chance that there is no locking nut (no dimples), just a swollen but?
Sounds painful.....

Cheers for the advice so far....

Click to expand...

If they all look the same, chances are you have standard, with the shiny chrome caps on, some you can wiggle & appear loose, but chances are you wont get em off,

JamesBB said:

So there is a chance that there is no locking nut (no dimples), just a swollen but?
Sounds painful.....

Cheers for the advice so far....

Click to expand...

Exactly i have one thats starting to go.
i have to bang the wheel brace on then the nut sticks in the brace so it has to be the first back on then bang the brace back off
Keep meaning to get a new one but cant be arsed

no locking nuts, chrome has come away from steel underneath just find a socket that fits.

Cheers for all the info guys. Will give it a shot.

Utter pain in the AAGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH.

Still not able to undo it.

Put a larger socket on, now can not get it off. Socket is jammed onto the nut.
Tried turning it, no go, waaaaaaaaaay too tight.

Nightmare. Looks like I have to take it somewhere to drill out the old socket, then put new tyres on for MOT. Shame. I have spare wheels with tyres that have 6 months tread, but I am sure they are going to want to fit new ones if they do this favour for me.

Try turning or banging the socket in the opposite direction. That may unstick it from the nut. Or tap the socket with a hammer from side to side.

try and borrrow an impact wrench ive got one but your a little bit too far from me

Note to self: DON'T PANIC! Sorry for the vent above, but common sense pulled through in the end.

Long iron bar and give it a good wrench.

Damaged the chrome cap getting the socket off. Front wheels changed and now I have 4 legal tyres. A new set due on the 4 spare wheels now.

Relief.

Thanks for the offer on the impact wrench though too.

keep that bar handy...you WILL need it again lol