Q: what's the wheel lock (or key?) look like

yes

At any rate,

The lock key is a piece of metal, a few inches long and, if I remember correctly, a little smaller around than a toilet tissue roll (without the paper). One end has six sides and fits into the lug wrench, the other end has a design that is specific to the lugnut on the car.

HTH,

Pat '96M

Yes.

Yes.

It looks sort of like a socket. One end fits on the goofy-looking lug nut, and the lug wrench fits over the other end. After having the "key" insert in mine start falling off, I finally ditched the goofy lug nuts and have normal ones now.

Has anybody with a Miata ever had wheels stolen?

I've never heard of it, maybe with some big aftermarket wheels. I ditched my wheel locks as well, they looked none too good to me.

Pat '96M

Probably the wheel lock key since it looks like it goes in a ratchet (actually a lug wrench) and should have been somewhere in your car since you can't change a tire without it. I keep mine with the lug wrench in the trunk of the car. If you can't get it back from your brother, you may be able to get a copy from the manufacture if you know who that is and the lock was registered. Otherwise, you'll need to take it to a mechanic to have the locking lug removed from each wheel (not sure how they will do this, perhaps a big set of vice grips with a long cheater bar). Good luck!

Gus (91 BRG)

My father had to have the wheel locks removed from his Exploder once, and I believe it involved a grinder.

At least, then they do prevent wheels being stolen, except maybe by the most hardworking thief. :)

Leon

That's the trouble with anti theft devices. You only really know when they don't work. For all I know, I've been putting up with the hassle of wheel locks and the club for nothing since my car may never have been the target of a thief.

Gus (91 BRG)