Removing Locking Hubcap with no Key?

mercman from oz

mercman from oz

Well-known member
573653


My friend recently purchased this beautiful 1934 Ford Cabriolet from the USA.
However, no Key was supplied for the Locking Spare Wheel Hubcap.
He has taken the car to a Locksmith, but they were unable to help.
What is the best way to approach this problem?
Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
 
Do a search for "removing 1934 Ford locking hubcap". One I found said the rumble seat handle lock may be the same as the spare tire lock. Another one if the value of the hubcap is more than the wheel, cut the wheel to get to the back of the lock.
 
If you have time and are adventurous, do a youtube search on impression key. Or,key impressioning. You might have to order some key blanks from your favorite supplier. I watched a local locksmith make a key for my '31 coupe years ago using the impression process.
 
It takes some patience but with a proper blank you can do it. Blacken the blank with a match or lighter. Place the key in the lock and twist back and forth. There will now be marks on the blank that need to be filed away.
It's not as tough as it may sound. Patience...
I have used this method numerous times when I didn't have a code.
 
Kube said:
It takes some patience but with a proper blank you can do it. Blacken the blank with a match or lighter. Place the key in the lock and twist back and forth. There will now be marks on the blank that need to be filed away.
It's not as tough as it may sound. Patience...
I have used this method numerous times when I didn't have a code.
Click to expand...

Considering the source, I have to believe thus is the straight skinny. I just wonder why I haven't heard of it before?
 
Remove the 4 bolts that hold the tyre mount to the body ,push the three spring loaded
cap hold downs back through the rear hole ,
 
If the car is keyed as original it is the trunk or deck lid (oblong head) key that is the same as the spare tire.
 
Trevor, unfortunately the 3 pins will not move without the key to turn the end of the barrel that rotates the 3 pins in and out. However if he does remove the mount he maybe able to get a pair of long pliers up inside and grab the end that had the special “ snap off head” bolt, ( if he’s really lucky!)personally I don’t think he will be successful working up inside the spare tyre mount and the wire wheel, up behind the cap. I feel that he’s either going to have to find another locksmith who maybe able to work it out, or drill the centre out as a last resort. The locking barrels do come up for sale from time to time. ( & I have a pretty nice 34 cap with key available if he needs one in the future) Dan
 
No need to hurt the cap or wheel.
Remove the tire carrier and wheel from the car.
The 3 locking pins are spring loaded. If you can get to them, try pulling one from the edge of the cap to the center of the cap. It only needs to move about 3/8" to release it from the casting.
If not snip them off and the cap will come off. The pins are easily replaced so no great loss there.
 
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The carrier has a curve so trying to get in there after removal is a tight squeeze if at that.If that screw securing that 3 pin cap had a slot cut in it maybe can be unscrewed and release the pins.
 
I have a spare tire lock with both bands plus one key that I have been trying to sell for $50 plus shipping if you are interested.
 
573768


For an experiment, I found a 1935 Ford Spare Wheel Holder and Wheel.
From this "behind" view, there is not much room to work on the inside of a Locking Hubcap?
It appears that the only access is through the holes in the Rim.
Am I missing something?
 
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