Hi, all. Was trying to use my day off to bleed the brakes on my 70 Riviera, but I found these guys (pic attached) with a clover/trigram-shaped groove while staring at the wire wheels. I always opt for caution/patience over GTD when I'm able, so I wanted to get info before trying to remove things by main force. Anyone seen these little guys before? Do I need a specific tool for them?
There should be a key, but you can sometimes just use a screwdriver to turn them. I've seen them before, many years ago, but I don't believe that they are factory.
Wow it's a new one to me. I had put those exact spokies on my 73 Riv. I got them used at a auto store so I have no clue where they came from. Sorry I couldn't help but they would sure frustrate a thief.
Factory locking wheel covers had a locking retainer in the center under a snap in medallion (I had them on a ‘78 and ‘86 Cadillac). What you have looks like an aftermarket solution. With any luck the key to them is in the trunk or glove box. Patrick Found a listing for something like yours… https://www.ebay.ca/itm/295296651627
Chevy Caprice wire wheels had goofy looking bolt that locked the cap to a bell like cup that was lug nutted to the rim. Those goofy bolts used a goofy key to remove... $$$$$ at dealer if lost..... A common 6 or 12 point socket was the sulution to the lost key.... Cant remember what size it was or if it was SAE or metric.
We used to have tools in the garage that would take off the locking nuts. We had various sizes and the working end was tapered. You would bang the tool onto the bolt and the taper would hold it tight. Then take them off with an impact. Worked like a charm. When people did not give us the locking socket, we used them all the time to take off lug nuts to get the wheels off for inspection. I think they were Snap on. Duane
@pbr400 I did check all the stuff that came with (not a ton: old carb, misc springs and bits), but nothing resembling this. I emailed the auction house to see if they'd relay a message to the seller for me. Gonna keep hunting around. Thanks for all the insight, everybody! Distributed intellect, FTW. ^_^
You might think about bolt extractors. If you can get to it with one. https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in...FkDgpiRbLxNgeucg7DXirVHJSWAht1DUaAql3EALw_wcB
GOOD NEWS! Main force was the answer in the end. While I like to be safe, I've consulted the Oracle (thanks, to all of you of the Oracle here ^_~): I just popped them off with the big, flat driver. Turns out those weren't actually functional. Security through obscurity! If I did that in my work (software), I'd be in trouble. It's like the password being `hunter2` instead of `admin`. Thanks, again, everybody!
