C3 Locking Wheel Bolt Problem

[Guest Stephen345]

Hello,

 

I had a problem with my brakes (another post on here) so I decided to take the wheel off for a closer look. I put the locking wheel nut "key" onto the security wheel bolt. The key has four lumps that engage with four dimples on the bolt. When I tried to turn it, the dimples just sheared off!

 

I phoned the dealer, who surprised me by being extremely helpful. He suggested hitting it with a hammer and chisel. As you may know, the bolts on a c3 are recessed so I wasn't sure how I would hit them without hitting the alloy wheel. As the security bolt is round, I wasn't sure quite where I was supposed to hit it either. Any tips for future reference?

 

It was suggested I tried an emergency remover made by laser. I had a read of the reviews on the halfords web site but it said they only work on some cars and one poster said they didn't work on his citroen, though he didn't state which model.

 

I bought one to try. I was told I needed an impact wrench to turn it but I didn't have one, so I tried to turn it by hand. It did turn but the top of the bolt sheared off!

 

I phoned a local, non-dealer, non-citroen, garage and they said that the bolts are designed to shear specifically to stop crooks using these emergency remover kits. Is that true? The dealer never warned me about that.

 

At this point I had lost the side and top of the bolt but there was still enough flange that it was holding the wheel on. I called the dealer who said they could remove it for £40+vat. This seemed an amazing price coming from a dealer, so I rushed it in.

 

They warned me they might scratch the alloy wheel in the process and I noticed aftaerwards a couple of small chips at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock from the bolt. I could see through a window into the workshop but my car was right at the back, obscured by the other vehicles, so I didn't see what they did. Any ideas how they managed this?

 

I bought a normal bolt to replace it and replaced the security bolts on the other wheels too, so that this never happens again. I searched this site did find one post in the c5 section saying the citroen bolts were too soft and sheared too easily.

 

Has anyone else had this experience and how did you solve it?

[paul.h]

Not had this problem but I use a torque wrench when doing the bolts up and also after they have been done up by others since they are often overtightened. It is worth making sure the bolt threads are clean and with a slight smear of copper type grease. If you have alloys, also have a slight smear of copper type grease where the wheel contacts the hub so they do not rust on.

 

Your old bolt may have been drilled out.