VE Lock nuts and 15000 service

[black stallion]

Hi, my VE SSV is now 14 months old and with 22,000 klms needs new tyres. Took the car to Bridgestone and discovered that someone, somewhere has fitted lock nuts. I bought the car brand new from a major Sydney multiple outlet dealer. Of course, no luck nut key was supplied. Can anyone confirm if Holden fit these as standard on the SSV (19 inch wheels)? The dealer has advised they will attempt to remove the lock nuts. Would this be via drilling or is there some form of universal key?
Having read the service guidelines for the 15,000 service, it does call for the wheels to be removed for disc and caliper inspection. Clearly this dealer has not done that either. Not happy!

[planetdavo]

Many dealers fit locknuts as soon as the car has been delivered, due to a spate of pricks pinching them off the lot, and selling them on ebay/trading post etc.
There is a certain sequence to VE locknut coding. They will probably try some of the other locknut sockets to see if one is coded the same.
Who really knows what happened to it. A lot can happen in 22,000 kms...

[Wonky]

They didn't come with them as standard so I bought a set of Gorilla locknuts from Wheel King to protect my investment in 20" rims and tyres. The Gorillas are infinitely more difficult to remove than almost any others.

From what I've heard of the cheaper locknuts (I'm including the Holden ones in that) they shouldn't have too much difficulty removing them. There is a trick I've read about for sometimes defeating locknuts but I'm guessing the tyre place would probably know it and it won't work if all the nuts have been done up tight with a rattle gun.

[BLACKVE]

Same thing happened to me Re lock nuts. After owning car for a month noticed lock nuts fitted. Could'nt find key etc rang dealer not much help from them or other dealers in end bashed socket over nuts to get them off. Dealer told me there is approx 6 different sets of lock nuts for VE (factory) they would not let me try different keys because it ment they would open packets! Car gets serviced at another Holden dealer NOW! Had a flat tyre about 6 weeks later lol. Space saver tyre suxs!!!!!!!!!!!

[Devil CV8]

My SSV has locknuts fitted, and knowing the fleet company I doubt they paid for them to be fitted... Even the fleet guy at the dealer when I picked it up tried to get me to buy locknuts, so maybe it is standard now.

[planetdavo]

Even the fleet guy at the dealer when I picked it up tried to get me to buy locknuts, so maybe it is standard now.
Many pre delivery departments fit them for theft reasons. The fleet guy, who probably wasn't even aware they were fitted to your car to begin with, would try to sell them as they are on his accessory list.

[antsv8]

PM Me for a easy way to get the lock nuts off.

Old Mechanic's trick that is better kept off the forum

Cheers

Anthony

[Drewxt]

One of my mates transports Holdens, and every vehicle that goes on a truck has lock nuts fit, which are removed by some dealers, who would rather charge the customer for a set of lock nuts, than give you some value add...

And yes, there are ways of removing lock nuts without the key... Surprised your Bridgestone doesn't know them