drive locks off if no key?
 

anyone know a trick to get drive locks off with out the key? can you get keys? I bought a use boat without the keys. :eek: Thanks Jeff

Re: drive locks off if no key?
 

check with you local marine shop. they should be able to get new keys. i have gotten them before for customers.

Re: drive locks off if no key?
 

I've used a dremel with a cut off wheel and cut the casing in half on McGards locks before. Then just a pair of pliers to undo the nut.

Re: drive locks off if no key?
 

I've gotten them off with a GOOD small pipe wrench.

Re: drive locks off if no key?
 

use only a little explosive.. or just cut it in half with a cutoff wheel. note it will be quicker and a lot more fun using an explosive charge. please vidoe the eplosion for a how to video for other members or america's funniest home videos. ratman

Re: drive locks off if no key?
 

Snap-On 7/16 12pt 3/8 drive deep socket.Use a hammer and drive it in there.Works like the original key.Have to use Snap-On,everything else splits.

Re: drive locks off if no key?
 

I hadn't tried it, but I was thinking along the same lines as Marinetrans. I'd use a cheap impact socket though.

Re: drive locks off if no key?
 

air chisel, catch the edge and vibrate it around to loosen it up. I do that on striped nuts also

Re: drive locks off if no key?
 

Or, a 3/8 12pt socket will pull the stud and lock outf. Then just put back and you still have the " lock "

Re: drive locks off if no key?
 

If you have a key from any other mcgard lock, just put it in a socket on an extension, rap it good with a hammer, put the ratchet on without disturbing it, & spin it off. Works every time.

Re: drive locks off if no key?
 

Damn, you guys are giving all the theives ideas on how to steal my drives. :cool:

Re: drive locks off if no key?
 

A month ago everyone agreed that drives are impossible to get off unless you have the key.

Re: drive locks off if no key?
 

the locks are only to slow the bad guys down... hopefully they make enough noise trying to steal them or attract attention in the process. the locks i have and have seen aren't deep enough for the socket trick to work most likely. this has been used on wheel lug nuts for ever but you can get a lot of bite because the socket goes so deep on the lug nut. be very careful trying any kind of air chisel as they easily can get away from you and damage other things. drape an old sheet around the area to catch the ground metal bits and use a dremel cut off wheel if you don't have access to a decent compressor and a high speed cut off wheel. should take more than 5 or 10 mins aside. just grind off the head of the thru lock bolt on the back side. be sure to was the boat and rinse well so none of the small bits of metal don't spot rust themselves to the surfaces of the boat. just my .02, ratman

Re: drive locks off if no key?
 

If they are McGuards, a chisel used straight in from the rear, will split the outside ring. Then you can use visegrips to get the brass nut. If you still have the original paperwork that came with them, there is a number, and McGuard can send you another key. If not, the chisel works fine.