Wheel Nut Key - dealer didn't supply with new car

[chimpangie]

I've had wheels changed by tyre services several times — they have the wheel off as quickly as if the lock bolt wasn't there, and they don't even open the hatch, let alone use the car's key.

hmmm, interesting.....

[h100vw]

hmmm, interesting.....

I do my own work so never been to a dealer except for parts.

There's Norris on Gympie Road and Austral https://maps.google.com.au/maps?ie=U...07947353424031

I don't know anything about their workmanship though.

[chimpangie]

I do my own work so never been to a dealer except for parts.

There's Norris on Gympie Road and Austral https://maps.google.com.au/maps?ie=U...07947353424031

I don't know anything about their workmanship though.

Thanks, will look into them both. First question I will ask is do they have a full set of wheel nut keys!

[brad]

a) Advise the selling dealer of your dilema

b) The repairer should be able to get them off with a big mofo screw driver - the type with the square shaft works well.

c) If (a) doesn't come to the party i have a set of Audi locknuts x4 + the key you can have for a fair price.

PS: did anyone look in the glovebox, centre console or take the spare out to have a look? Mine fell out of the foam holder a few weeks back & was under the tyre.

[chimpangie]

Update:


Moss Vale VW claim the key would have been in the car as they always do a pre-delivery checklist. They are unable to order a new key, they can only order a new full set of lock nuts. Their advice is to take my car to another dealer up here who can offer better service than Northstar.


Northstar have advised that the reason they don't have my key is that they are missing about 4 from their full set. Now that I have advised them I want to take to a dealer that has a full set, they want to charge me for work they have already done on the car!! What? They haven't done anything! I don't think it's fair that I should be out of pocket because they are unable to finish a job when they don't have the right tools!


Northstar also did my 15,000km service a few months ago - Moss Vale said they always take the wheels off and do a full brake check at 15,000 so Northstar should have taken the wheels off then too. Is that legit? Would they have needed to take my wheels off then and is there any chance that they could have lost my key?

[brad]

In theory they should have taken the wheels off but if you have an open wheel style & it's the first service then they'd probably just have a peek through the spokes. You could use this as leverege though.

Unfortunately you are in the classic he said / she said position where you can't win (IMO). Probably best you take up the lock nut thing with VW Customer Service and let them arbitrate a reasonable outcome.

I still can't work out why the mech can't get the locknuts off with a big screwdriver - it's not hard.

[chimpangie]

In theory they should have taken the wheels off but if you have an open wheel style & it's the first service then they'd probably just have a peek through the spokes. You could use this as leverege though.

Unfortunately you are in the classic he said / she said position where you can't win (IMO). Probably best you take up the lock nut thing with VW Customer Service and let them arbitrate a reasonable outcome.

I still can't work out why the mech can't get the locknuts off with a big screwdriver - it's not hard.

Thanks Brad. I've just got off the phone with VW Customer Service who are being very helpful.

It is correct that a new key cannot be ordered for me now, I will need a new lock nut set. However, Northstar are not within their rights to charge me an exorbitant amount for labour because they don't have the right tools. They are looking into it further and will get back to me.

[Umai Naa!!]

That's odd, because I've bought the keys before, albeit with a new lock bolt.

The kicker is, without the key, they're impossible to get off on Golf 6 due to the design. There's nothing to bash something into or onto to circumvent the key method.

[brad]

It is correct that a new key cannot be ordered for me now, I will need a new lock nut set. However, Northstar are not within their rights to charge me an exorbitant amount for labour because they don't have the right tools. They are looking into it further and will get back to me.

I agree. They sound like they are trying to profiteer somewhat.

That's odd, because I've bought the keys before, albeit with a new lock bolt.

The kicker is, without the key, they're impossible to get off on Golf 6 due to the design. There's nothing to bash something into or onto to circumvent the key method.

What do the G6 ones look like?
I have the Skoda ones (which Peter Warren appear to sell for $72.50 for 4bolts & the key)


and the Audi ones


So you either buy 1bolt + 1 key or 4 bolts+ 1key - yes?

[Umai Naa!!]

Golf 6 ones are more like the Audi ones.

Yeah full set will be completely different to what's on the car, which doesn't necessarily solve the issue of being able to remove the ones that are already fitted. If you can match one up from the kit to what's on the car, you order it as key + bolt.

FWIW, we/I always use the key in the customer's car. 1) you know it fits, and 2) it's more efficient than rummaging through the tool cabinets looking for that one in 50 lock nut keys. And if the customer's one is missing, you can quote up and inform them of it, rather than let them make the discovery on the side of the freeway in the middle of the night.