When you get the last locking nut off throw them all away and just fit plain lugs.

I'm assuming the T3 still has the fake chrome plastic lug covers as per the T1 and T2, so pop those back on and no one will know.

 

The T3 does have the fake chrome lug nut covers. They go for $1 each online.

 

I nearly lost my lug nut key earlier, freaking out when I took the car to the tire shop, and had to remove the tires to have patched because of the construction debris punctures. The wheel monkeys had tools on site that removed the keyed lug nut pretty quick, and it dawned on me, "Tools to have on hand".They had various sized 12pts sockets from NRG, OTG, Gorilla, generic forced socket drives, and found a perfect fitting universal 12pts socket that they got from Oreilly Auto Parts. Surely enough, I found the security key in the center console afterwards because my kids were playing with it.

I rather not deal with the headaches and purchase standard lug nuts.

 

Thanks, perfect post!

There is an O'Reily near me that I will go to and get a 12pt socket that will fit on the key as I have it with me. I'll also go to the AutoZone and get the lug nut remover as well. I'll be happy to bang the 12pt socket on as long as the bolt comes off.

As the Treg is going back to VW, will put the bolts back on but just snug, certainly not 133 ft lbs-tight.

 

(My) solution.

22mm socket, beaten onto the anti-theft bolt. I thought that it would as easy as moving the breaker bar and viola! The bolt would just spin right off=WRONG! There is a collar that is on the outside of the bolt and the 22mm socket spun it right off.

The 1" CTA lug nut removal socket was then too big for the remainder of the lug bolt. I went back to AutoZone and got the 3/4" CTA lug nut remover, used the Harbor Freight impact wrench, spun it in reverse, it had worked its way onto the bolt when miracles of miracles, the bolt just spun right out.

I promptly went and removed all the anti theft bolts and will leave them off. I will make sure that none of our vehicles ever has them or, if they do, I will make sure the tire idiots don't mess things up either before, or, after the job, or both. I have read of stories of those who got a flat and could not get the locking lug bolt off and had to go through burning napalm hoops to finally get the bolt off.

2 used tires for $90 are getting put on the other 2 rims I have and the 2012 Exec will have a set of 18" 2004 Cayenne Turbo wheels. It already looks so wonky with 18"s on the back while the 20"s are on the fronts.

I'm going to contemplate having the wheels refinished and painted/powdercoated and then putting them on the Cayenne if I get some TPMSensors as I'm looking at at least $600 for the refinished/paint then for the TPMS.

 

(My) solution.

2 used tires for $90 are getting put on the other 2 rims I have and the 2012 Exec will have a set of 18" 2004 Cayenne Turbo wheels. It already looks so wonky with 18"s on the back while the 20"s are on the fronts.

You probably already know this but it's NOT a good idea to run different sized tyres, let alone different diameter rims on the vehicle at the same time:surprise::surprise::surprise:as it can come to bite you big time with diff issues.
I'm sure our resident guru in this area, noobytoogy will explain further:grin2:

TonyB

 

The 2012 TDI Exec is NOT going back to VW with a set of 20" Pikes Peaks and Pirelli Verde Plus' with only 4,000 on them, that's for sure. The wheels will fit on my my 2016 Cayenne Diesel and the wifes 2015 TDI Exec.

I got a set of four 2004 Cayenne 18" turbo wheels for $80 which has two mismatched Michelin tires on it and I will be going to a used tire store to get two more used tires installed on the remaining two bare-rims and will put them on later this afternoon. The two tires will cost me $90 installed and balanced. I had to spend about $20 for the 22mm socket and locknut removal tool so for under $200 I can save the Pikes Peaks and tires. WIN!

I'll probably have the Treg towed/flatbedded to the dealer when the time comes as it is and has been, off the road since Feb 25 when I got the Cayenne. Poor Touareg, it has just been sitting. Mismatched tires, 18" wheels. Back to VW it all goes.

 

Indeed a poor imagery to envision; the soon-to-be orphan, sent on its way with mismatching clothes, and full of health issues.

Keep that 22mm socket and drive tool for future "assisting friends" tools. It's part of your well armed arsenal now.

 

I know. I loved this 2012. I had planned on keeping it till it was not worth keeping but stuff like Dieselgate just comes up.

I'm going to have to try and get the collar that is stuck in the 22mm socket out, shouldn't be too hard, even if the socket was $4.99.

I will also try and get the bolt out of the backout-tool, I just need to put some flats or, use a pipe wrench on the bolt and use the breaker bar to spin it off the bolt. I hope I never have to use them again but one never knows.

 

Might have to get four bolts myself. I was replacing a wheel after fitting mudflaps. I was tightening the security head on one wheel when the wheel brace popped off. I looked at the head and socket and they both were slightly rounded. When it was time to do the next wheel I was a little more careful. Same thing happened!

I was using a hand held cross brace, not a rattle gun and the socket was well seated. These security bolts are crap, unless the strategy it that no one can steal your wheels if it is impossible for anyone to remove them!

 

The design of the wheel locks blows chow. It is the worst design of all time but, like you had mentioned, it sure does make it tough to get the anti-theft bolt off to steal the (somewhat lame OEM) wheel(s).

Porsche is a bit better in that it is a socket that goes over a splined bolt-head, way less of a chance to strip/damage the bolt and key. Thankfully the wife's 2015 does NOT have any of the anti-theft bolts for if she did, I'd take them off and replace them with regular lug bolts.