Security Wheel bolt knackered (again)

[panadero]

When I first bought my 406 getting off a duff security wheel bolt turned out to be a garage job. Should have learned my lesson then and replaced all 4 with standard bolts instead of just the one. Now I have noticed the same problem on another wheel. (Have now replaced the other 2 wheels with standard bolts.)

I think that there are 2 main reasons for this snag. Firstly the Peugeot design/engineering is none too clever. The pits on the bolt head that the key fits into gradually wear away with time - made worse if (as I do) you regularly remove the wheels for servicing purposes and if (as I do) you tend to max-tighten the security bolt. Unfortunately you get no advance warning that the bolt will not come off. By the time it happens you’re stuffed – especially if you happen to have a puncture on the motorway at the time.

So my strong advice is get rid of any security key bolts and replace with standard bolts unless of course you live in a high risk area for alloy wheel theft. Interestingly however a garage owner told me that there are tools on the market to get these security bolts off so presumably a thief could get the wheels off anyway using such a tool. Maybe they will just slow him down a bit.

Does anyone know how to get a security bolt off? Having a nut welded on is an option but sparks might damage the alloy wheel. I have thought of whacking a 15 mm socket on to the outer bolt head. Then there is a specialist tool called Dynomec which looks useful – does anyone know if the AA patrolman normally carries this item because if so I think I’ll stage a puncture.

[StevieboyTD]

Works with most versions.

[boombang]

I've seen expensive McGard locking nuts whipped off in 5 seconds.

I can't say I know anyone who has had alloys stolen in the last 10 years, so would question using them unless you live or park somewhere extremely risky. Have left the lockers on my 406 but only do them up pinch tight rather than with torque wrench like others.

[drjonts]

Concur completely! Have replaced all 4 lockers with standard ones on mine.

Jonty

[Doggy]

.....and if (as I do) you tend to max-tighten the security bolt. Unfortunately you get no advance warning that the bolt will not come off.

It's generally accepted that the torque required to undo a screw is 2.5 times what it was tightened up to.

Does anyone know how to get a security bolt off?

Had the same issue and wound up drilling the heads off mine, (which was a sod of a job).
Silver lining - I finally learned, (through necessity), how to sharpen a drill.

[ColinCranwell]

I had this problem.
I got an old socket, just too small to fit, and belted it on with a hammer, a real ball pien hammer.
It got the security stud off. Your right, it is a bad design. I got replacement security studs off Ebay, which have a proper shape on the head and a proper socket, although you need to check they have the flat head, if that is what you need.

If you have really horsed it up, this method may not work, but all it will cost is an old socket.

Regards,
Colin.

[hammerman]

After my locking key snapped on the side of the motorway in Italy on our honeymoon on my old Xantia,i drilled them all off with some hole saw cutters from B&Q.I brought a few that fitted snug over the round head like the sockets in the above photos & drilled them off.
The 1st thing i did when i got my 406 was replace them all with standard bolts.

[panadero]

Many thank for these responses and in particular the pic from Stevieboy TD