No, lug nut locks are not universal. “They are going to be unique in size, thread pitch, design of lug on the vehicle and pattern of key,” says Howes. “With this many variables, it makes it ...

If you have a metal lathe just looking for some work, why not make your own lock nuts? That’s what [my mechanics insight] did when faced with a peculiar lock nut that needed replacing in a car.

Unless you are a mechanical engineer, you might not realize there’s a lot of nuances to something even as simple as a nut and bolt. How many threads do you need to engage? Do lock washers work?