The mystery of the lock nut, though, isn’t how it works. The nylon insert is just a little too small for the bolt, and the bolt, being harder than nylon, taps a very close-fitting hole in the ...

Each set of locking nuts usually comes with a key, or a socket, to fit its specific pattern. “If the car was bought new with these, then the special tool is normally in the glove box or with the ...