X6M lock nuts

NFSBMW · 06-23-2011, 08:17 PM

I just had a horror week when a wheel specialist and then BMW's own Melbourne mechanics broke 3 of the wheel locks on my X6M. To make matters worse BMW's reaction after inflicting the damage was literally "We don't know how to fix. All we can suggest is what we've done recently and that is to use an angle grinder to cut the alloy wheels off the car."

I checked around and found that apparently BMW recently altered the lock nut design for both the X5 and X6. The "older" lock nuts apparently are regarded as bullet-proof and very reliable. The increasing feedback on the new lock nuts is that is slightly over-tightened (and that can happen no matter how careful a dealer or fitter is) then the metal simply can't cope and deforms - leaving you with a possible nightmare.

Where I finally got lucky was after 3 days of various attempts, an experienced older foreman took one look, got out his old "Easy Out" screw removal kit and removed the nuts in 15 minutes! Legend!

However I won't ever be replacing with the current BMW lock nuts. Right now I've refitted normal nuts and may in time either fit the earlier BMW locks or buy a quality titanium after market set.

Take my advice guys as in Australia this car costs around $200k and it's no fun seeing your pride and joy on a hoist with no one at BMW seeming to give a toss.

06-23-2011, 08:17 PM	#1
NFSBMW New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: X6M MY10 Monte Carlo Blue Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	X6M lock nuts I just had a horror week when a wheel specialist and then BMW's own Melbourne mechanics broke 3 of the wheel locks on my X6M. To make matters worse BMW's reaction after inflicting the damage was literally "We don't know how to fix. All we can suggest is what we've done recently and that is to use an angle grinder to cut the alloy wheels off the car." I checked around and found that apparently BMW recently altered the lock nut design for both the X5 and X6. The "older" lock nuts apparently are regarded as bullet-proof and very reliable. The increasing feedback on the new lock nuts is that is slightly over-tightened (and that can happen no matter how careful a dealer or fitter is) then the metal simply can't cope and deforms - leaving you with a possible nightmare. Where I finally got lucky was after 3 days of various attempts, an experienced older foreman took one look, got out his old "Easy Out" screw removal kit and removed the nuts in 15 minutes! Legend! However I won't ever be replacing with the current BMW lock nuts. Right now I've refitted normal nuts and may in time either fit the earlier BMW locks or buy a quality titanium after market set. Take my advice guys as in Australia this car costs around $200k and it's no fun seeing your pride and joy on a hoist with no one at BMW seeming to give a toss.
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