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No locking nuts on that wheel.
i should have thought of that!!
I have thought that, but also thought "how common is it to have a wheel stolen?" I know it used to happen years ago, before locking wheel nuts were common but does it really happen now?
I can imagine. Seen pictures of welds onto nuts to try and remove them !!
Totally agree. Had them on my Ocean and at around 8 months old I couldn’t get one of the locking wheel nuts off. they’re like cheese.
If you use the VW tool kit wheel brace with the locknut adaptor added, the connection combined is 'wobbly', so it is easy to burr off the important contact edges and spoil the locking nuts. Personally I always carry a normal straight torque wrench (about 2' long) and a longish 19mm socket (about 3") and never use the tool brace on hub nuts. The difference is considerable. It is easier to remove wheels (with the extra leverage) and of course you can refit wheel nuts to an approved torque (I believe 180Nm or 133 ft/lbs).
Let's face it, the wheels were the best bits of those cars, no wonder they left the rest behind
I’ve never used the VW supplied toolkit. I have a torque wrench and appropriate socket etc.
I am too new to California ( 3 weeks tomorrow) to have much experience of its locking nuts, but I certainly noted, on my 'trial wheel change' - before we set off on a long continental trip shortly - the locking wheel nuts on my 2006 Phaeton were a more stable in use design.
After 8 yrs, all wheels have been removed on 7 occasions, 5 for tyre changes and 2 for brake pads/discs over 118,000 miles and the VW locking nuts are as new. Just saying.
WG, your locknuts, 8 years old, may be more like my 2006 Phaeton, that have seen a lot more action even than yours and remain perfect; they are like an irregular torx. My new MY2023 locking bolts are three male studs in a recess with the adaptor a female match, and these are hopeless with the supplied wheel brace though, on my first exercise, came off OK with a carefully applied straight torque wrench and 19mm socket.
yep, I think nowadays DPF-safe or Cat-locking brackets to impede or slow down the otherwise fast removal of extreme valuable DPF would be more in line with current theft risks.
My 18" Springfields might be a bit more attractive, but I struggle to remember hearing a tale of wheels being stolen this Century. I'll keep my locking nuts until I wish I hadn't though, I think.
Check out T6 Forum. Member had his spare wheel stolen very recently. He is now fitting a Spare Safe.
Unfortunately no. I don't think anybody has produced them yet.
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