I recently had my vehicle's wheels balanced, and the shop over tightened the wheel locks upon reinstallation. I've taken it to BMW twice. The first time, they broke my keys and their master key trying to remove them. The second attempt resulted in them giving up after over four hours. They suggested cutting the wheels... which seems sorta ridiculous especially because the wheels on my X3M are pretty expensive. Do you guys have any alternative solutions or recommendations I could try? Thank you.

Probably one of the new "guys" first day in the shop and used the max torque setting because he wasn't "trained correctly" or just didn't care.

I'd for sure go back to the shop that did the work, explain your situation and have them work with you and reimburse you for the wheels that will likely need to be cut off of your car.
They may be cool about it...

Or, they may not...
If they don't want to play, small claims court will help you... do you have your receipt for the proof of "work done"?

If they won't make you whole, I'd be sure to let everyone you can tell know about them...

The lock lug is the only one you're having issues with?

Happen to me. BMW fixed it

This really sucks dude & sorry to hear about your troubles. APEX makes some nice super strong wheels. Every single time I've ever used wheel locks, it's made the removal of wheels such a PITA & complete headache for me. Hope BMW has a solution for this. And next time use these. They're bullet proof & your wheels will crack before these ever let go or chip / slip off they master key.

https://www.einhornindustries.com/store/p12/Unicorn_Titanium_Locking_Lug_Bolts.html

damn that sucks man.. BTW, I love those wheels I really want them... how do they feel?

Hope you get this fixed brother.

the spline locks, updated from the flower style, is pretty robust. take it to a decent established tire shop, im confident they will be able to remove it.

Every decent shop should be able to solve this. Never heard of cutting wheels. One should cut the nut if needed, but you can get replacement security nut adapter at any bmw shop

simplyeric wrote

damn that sucks man.. BTW, I love those wheels I really want them... how do they feel?

Hope you get this fixed brother.

They're really nice! Fronts are 20x9.5 ET +20 and rears are 20x11 ET +30. I plan on getting BBS FI-R Evo's or 826m style next. Haven't quite decided yet but before that... I have to get these locking lugs off

Jolbex wrote

Every decent shop should be able to solve this. Never heard of cutting wheels. One should cut the nut if needed, but you can get replacement security nut adapter at any bmw shop

I felt pretty helpless when even the BMW dealership couldn't resolve the issue. I thought it was super silly of them to suggest cutting the wheels off...

I had the same issue one time . I stuck a ratchet on the lug and then got the handle off my big jack . That gave me about 4 feet of leverage . Stuck that over the ratchet handle and just pulled down with all my might . Pretty crazy how my impact couldn't get it done but my skinny a55 could loosen them .

You will then have to check the threads to make sure they aren't stripped as the over tightening could cause that . If they are stripped , pretty sure your dealer could fix them or you might have to buy a new hub but they aren't too expensive .

cristianpina wrote

They're really nice! Fronts are 20x9.5 ET +20 and rears are 20x11 ET +30. I plan on getting BBS FI-R Evo's or 826m style next. Haven't quite decided yet but before that... I have to get these locking lugs off

I have FI-R Evo's on order....

sergbaja5t wrote

I have FI-R Evo's on order....

Specs and or pics?

Dude Dewalt wakes impacts that'll do like 1700 ft lbs, there's no way that wouldn't get these off.

cristianpina wrote

Specs and or pics?

Specs f21x10 et22 r21x10.5 et26
No pics yet... Soon however

I broke 3 BMW keys trying to get one off. Finally I was able to hammer(sledge) a 12point socket onto the locking lug bolt to remove "key" section of the lug bolt. Then I was able to use a locking lug nut removal socket on the remaining round part of the lug bolt. Not a fun experience.

Glad you got it figured out man

joebie3 wrote

I broke 3 BMW keys trying to get one off. Finally I was able to hammer(sledge) a 12point socket onto the locking lug bolt to remove "key" section of the lug bolt. Then I was able to use a locking lug nut removal socket on the remaining round part of the lug bolt. Not a fun experience.

3rd picture is priceless

I bet I reenact this every time I'm working on my vehicles .

cristianpina What ended up happening here with this situation... ?

Kevin_The_Clean1 wrote

cristianpina What ended up happening here with this situation... ?

I haven't had time to start working on it yet. I'm prioritizing my Audi project right now, but if I can't get the lug off using all my might and a breaker bar, I'll try joebie3 's approach.