Hi everyone
I have just bought a bit of a project car. It has caterham super 7 16" alloys with locking cover plates, but I have no key for the cover plates.
They look like just 3 holes about 3 mm dia.
They look like this: 
Do you need a special key, or is it just a matter of making something up with 3 pins at the appropriate spacing and unscrewing?
Thanks all
Hugh
ETA: picture is a bit big! Unfortunately the holes dont show up very well on less large images I have tried.
[Edited on 30/10/17 by hughpinder]
easier image
Description
Thanks mr gremlin
Some good 90° circlip pliers inserted in opposing holes usually works with a bit of a wriggle.
Replace with an ordinary allen cap head bolt, or buy a locking bolt kit for a vauxhall(assuming the old bolt is m8).
Have a look at: https://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=210414
Dave
Do you want to keep/reuse the wheels?
I've removed locking wheels nuts in the pas by MIG welding a nut or short bolt to the offending part and using thread to unscrew the nut.
Did have some photos of it, but can't find them!
One other thought - is it worth calling Caterham to see if they have a suitable key you buy?
Renault use a very similar system, I just use a pair of long nose pliers in mine, if you need a bit of extra leverage, then just put the ends of pliers or circlip pliers in 2 of the holes & use screwdriver for leverage between the arms
Thanks all.
I scanned the caterham site and couldn't find anything, but they may respond to a phone call. If not I'll soon make up something suitable
with the welder, or replace with M8 cap heads
Regards
Hugh
This is the key my lads twingo uses.
wheel
key
As said good pair of long nose or circlip pliers or hammer and chisel and replace them with a nice Allen bolt
If it doesn’t budge, rather than welding on to it you could drill a hole in the centre and use an easy-out.
If it doesn't budge then use a small pin punch and a hammer
Drill down the centre wit 10mm and then a 13mm, when the drill hits the chamfer the nut will snap off. remove thread with mole grips
Well thanks for the replies. I don't know when the wheels were last off, but its like the locks are welded in - have snapped some allen keys I
was using as the 'pins' . Have dosed with looooads of penetratign fluid and will let you know how it goes. I don't really want to try
and drill them out if I can avoid it.
Hugh
quote:
Originally posted by hughpinder
Well thanks for the replies. I don't know when the wheels were last off, but its like the locks are welded in - have snapped some allen keys I was using as the 'pins' . Have dosed with looooads of penetratign fluid and will let you know how it goes. I don't really want to try and drill them out if I can avoid it.
Hugh
I suspect you are right - I am quire surprised that they are not hardened so that they cannot be drilled!
I regularly come across this problem and as I posted use a pin punch,works every time.
I will have a go again at the weekend - pin punch and drills are at the ready!
Thanks everyone
[Edited on 2/11/17 by hughpinder]
As mentioned, an old pair of needle nose that you dont mind bending a little (and plenty of lube)!
At the risk of teaching a hen to suck eggs.
It may help if you give them a couple of sharp taps on the head of them with a hammer & large punch.
This will often help to release the corrosion bond.