Hi all - I was set to swap out my winter wheel and tire set for my summer set today (a bit aspirational perhaps as there is still some snow in the forecast mid week) but my plans were thwarted as I noticed my wheel lug key (to remove the wheel lug lock) is broken. The "key" part on the inside of the apparatus is broken and so the key no longer unlocks the locked lug. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement part? Is it a standard key for all 991 cars or is the key vehicle specific? I am hoping that the dealer won't charge me $100 or something crazy for a new key that broke because the original one is cheap and flimsy, though I know better and am expecting to be nickeled and dimed on this. Thanks in advance!

 

What part of the keyed socket broke? The toothed pattern on the inner surface?

If you just want to get your winters off, you can borrow my key (assuming it's the same pattern for all 991s), but my car is in the shop for the next couple of days getting seats installed. I'm in Nassau county.

 

Paradocs - yes, it's the toothed part on the inside of the key that partially snapped off. I'm going to call the dealer tomorrow to find out whether the key is the same across all 991s. Thanks for the kind offer; I'm also in Nassau (North Woodmere). I will hopefully get a replacement key from the dealer but I will let you know if I need to take you up on your generous offer. Yes, it's only to take the winters off and put the summers on. Good luck with the seat installation!

 

I heard there are like ~18 available types of keys and they will know by looking at some code somewhere. The dealers should have the key, but as for the charge, it's anyone's guess. A new lock lug nut set goes for 60 bucks from suncoast so I wouldn't imagine it to be that bad. Good luck!

 

Thanks mdk888. That's extremely helpful information! Appreciate it.

 

So, I spoke to my dealer's parts manager and it turns out that there are something like 35-38 variations of the wheel lug key and that wheel lug locks/ keys are put on cars randomly. So the only way to figure out which key I've got is to go to the dealer who can use a master key and get the locks off. I think I'm going to replace them with standard lugs. Less hassle that way, and I suspect that if someone really wants my rims, they'll take them wheel locks or not.

 

Did you do all the previous wheel tire work yourself? If not I'm guessing it was the last person who did acting like an ape with an impact wrench..

My point is I'd make THEM replace it.. as these things don't just break themselves..

 

Problem is a friend did the last wheel swap for me. He was doing me a favor (or so I thought) and I will just suck it up and get the new lugs and not make it into a big deal with him. Oh well.

 

A tire shop should have a master key.

 

I had the dealer remove the locks and install plain lug nuts. The techs thank me every time they swap the winter/summer tires. Locks are worthless unless you're parking at a remote airport lot for a week.

 

So I was off by half on the variations Did you get ripped a new one to have them use the master key to remove? or were they gentle?

 

Don't ask. The dealers' "master key" only works for the one piece locks (which come standard), not for the two-piece cloverleaf locks that apparently only come on cars with factory spacers (I've got the spacers). So the dealer has to order a replacement key from Germany which won't be hear for a few days, and claims that the replacement key (this high security key) is $175. The parts manager at the dealer was as surprised to hear this as I was and suggested that I write a letter to Porsche NA complaining about this. I will do that, but first things first I need to get that lug lock off the car so I can swap out my wheels. I poked around some forums a bit and it seems that this is a not so uncommon issue with the two piece keys.

 

Sorry to hear

 

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