Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site voder.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!zehntel!hplabs!nsc!voder!kevin From: kevin@voder.UUCP (The Last Bugfighter) Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: Re: Car Theft - Part 2 (McGuard Wheel Locks) Message-ID: <631@voder.UUCP> Date: Mon, 14-Jan-85 20:11:59 EST Article-I.D.: voder.631 Posted: Mon Jan 14 20:11:59 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 16-Jan-85 06:04:46 EST References: <997@hou4a.UUCP> Organization: National Semiconductor, Santa Clara Lines: 45 > If you have fancy wheels on your car which you would like to protect > there is one device that has worked for me and many other people I know. > They are called McGuard Wheel Locks. They are a set of lug nuts that are put > on (one to a wheel) in place of regular lug nuts. They can only be put on and > taken off through the use of a "key" (a weird pattern) that is put in the lug > wrench when using these locks. The key is unique and a second copy should > be secured immediately since these locks are impossible to remove forcibly > without damaging the lug. McGuard sells packages with one or two keys, if > you can't get the two key package, order a second key. These keys can ONLY > be gotten direct from McGuard and are NOT interchangeable. > -- > Michael Brochstein AT&T Information Systems, Holmdel, NJ > ihnp4!hou4a!mab (201) 834-3482 Just a comment about McGuard type locks; they are not fool-proof, nothing is. When I was a manager at a 4Day Tire Store at least once a week someone would come in for new tires who had forgotten his/her wheel lock key. The simplest way to remove them is to pound an appropiate size impact socket (not a standard socket, they'll split!) over the lock and then use a standard wrench to remove. If the lock was too tight or too deeply recessed then you just weld a standard nut on top of it. We used an arc welder to do this which I assume would be a lot quicker than a torch, but torches are not that expensive and places like Sears sell small oxygen/propane versions. And don't think that there aren't duplicates of your key either. If I recall I believe that there are 1200 key paterns actually used so it's not impossible for you and your neighbor to purchase locks that both use the same key. We'd always check our stock of abandoned keys to see if any would fit, on occasion they did. If a thief really wants your wheels he'll get `em! Locks can only slow him down, hopefully enough to discourage him. Incidently, don't get the kind of wheel locks that use a standard key that unlocks a sleeve (with tumblers inside) that slides off the nut. They are the easiest things in the world to punch out with a cold chisel. By the way, those people who always leave their wheel lock keys at home when they bring their cars in? When asked why they don't carry them in the car most say, "So they don't get lost". Wonder what they do when they get a flat tire? -- Kevin Thompson {ucbvax,ihnp4!nsc}!voder!kevin "It's sort of a threat, you see. I've never been very good at them myself but I'm told they can be very effective."