Bad Eurolock Experience

[Brian Armstead <barmstea@ibb.gov>]

Fellow Listers:  I had my '89 in for tire service yesterday, and had a
real bad Eurolock experience.  The left front one would not budge under
finger pressure, and I am no weakling, so I used a pair of pliers for
more leverage.  The internal plastic structure then broke, and I was
left with a key that spun around the metal portion.  O.K., no problem,
out with the Vice Grips to loosen the recalcitrant lock-nut.  Key snaps
in two.  Tire mechanic comes over and says "we see this all the time
with Eurolocks (they deal with a lot of high-end imports), it's a truly
bad design."  He leaves and comes back with a Torx bit set.  Taps a Torx
bit into the lock, gives it a whack with a hammer, and the Eurolock
falls off the wheel.  Total time to disable the lock: 3 minutes.  Took
the other three off in ten minutes.  While watching this, I imagined how
thieves must salivate when they see these things protecting (SIC) your
car.  I also thought of being out at night, not being able to get the
wheel off because of a crappy lock.

So I'm back to McGards, which is where I should have stayed in the first
place.

Brian