A puncture off the A14 is a nuisance; finding the locking wheel nut key missing from the glovebox is worse. The lock comes out cleanly, and the damaged tyre is put right before the fitter packs away.
The key tends to vanish at the worst moment, after a tyre has picked up damage on the A14 and you finally reach a car park in Kettering or a side street in Rothwell. It may have been left at a garage, never handed over by a previous owner, or the adaptor may have cracked when someone forced it. Without it the wheel stays on, and a rounded lock pattern means the key would not grip even if it turned up.
Removal tools matched to that lock pattern are worked gently, keeping the alloy face and the rim around the nut free of scratches. Once it is off, standard wheel nuts or bolts go on in its place, or fresh locking nuts if you would rather keep one. The tyre that caused the call is then repaired or replaced before we leave. Give us the car model on the phone so the price is confirmed first.
You can book emergency tyre repair on the A14 or 24 hour tyre repair on the same call.
Removal needs firm, level ground: a driveway in Desborough, a Corby street off the A43 or a Kettering town car park, if the operator agrees. Nobody starts this job near the A14 carriageway; a car immobile in lane means 999 and National Highways on 0300 123 5000.
| Road | A14 Catthorpe to Thrapston |
|---|---|
| Operator | National Highways |
How locking wheel nuts are removed →Locking wheel nut removal on the A14 page
Lost the locking key with a tyre to change? Meet us where the car normally lives rather than anywhere near the A14. Owners around Raunds might be parked on a street off Brick Kiln Road or Grove Street, and Wellingborough drivers at Wellingborough Retail Park with the site's agreement. Our dedicated extraction kit frees the locked nut, and the tyre job carries on during that one visit.
Before assuming the key is lost, try the glovebox, both door bins, the hollow that holds the spare, where many sit in a small cloth bag, and under the boot carpet. A code card sometimes came with the handbook, and that number lets a key be traced. Have the V5C or hire paperwork handy in case ownership is questioned. The fitter protects the alloy while working, and a fresh locking set can go on afterwards. Park it in Kettering or Rothwell, never on the A14.
Rated 5.0 from 151 Google reviews across everywhere we work.
"Faultless experience. Great communication, attitude and service."
"A pleasure having them come down and save me. Big shout out to Hiwad, really responsive, recommend him to anybody."
Lost the locking nut key after an A14 puncture? Call and we remove it.
