A socket spanner insert releases or fastens wheel bolts which in the mounted state rest inside wheel bolt holes of a car rim. The socket spanner insert includes a base body which has a screw head receptacle and a tool receptacle, and a sleeve which encompasses the base body at least in portions and is rotatably connected to the base body. In order to prevent damage to the rims when mounting and removing wheel bolts, a retaining element is provided which, during release or fastening of the wheel bolt, blocks a relative rotational movement of the sleeve with respect to the car rim and allows a rotation of the base body within the sleeve.

A wheel lock key assembly includes a wheel lock key portion configured to engage with keyslot features on a wheel lock. A driving tool coupling portion is connected to the wheel lock key portion and includes a surface structured to be rotationally coupled to a driving tool so as to enable rotation of the wheel lock key portion by the driving tool by a force acting on the surface. The surface extends along a plane extending parallel to the wheel lock key portion rotational axis. A retaining member is deformable to vary a radial distance the exterior surface extends from the rotational axis. A retaining member deformation mechanism is actuatable to deform the retaining member to vary the radial distance, such that the exterior surface extends at least a predetermined distance past the plane prior to rotational coupling of the wheel lock key assembly to the driving tool.

A wheel lock key assembly includes a wheel lock key portion configured to engage with keyslot features on a wheel lock. A driving tool coupling portion is connected to the wheel lock key portion and includes a surface structured to be rotationally coupled to a driving tool so as to enable rotation of the wheel lock key portion by the driving tool by a force acting on the surface. The surface extends along a plane extending parallel to the wheel lock key portion rotational axis. A retaining member is deformable to vary a radial distance the exterior surface extends from the rotational axis. A retaining member deformation mechanism is actuatable to deform the retaining member to vary the radial distance, such that the exterior surface extends at least a predetermined distance past the plane prior to rotational coupling of the wheel lock key assembly to the driving tool.

A wheel dolly for raising a vehicle wheel off the floor is disclosed. The dolly has at least two wheel straddle bars, each straddle bar having a non-swing caster assembly. A swing caster assembly is connected to each straddle bar. The assembly includes a stationary frame supporting a swing axle, a swing frame that rotates about the swing axle, and a swing caster connected to swing frame. The swing caster defines a swivel plane. A lift bar connects the two wheel straddle bars. The dolly can transition between two configurations: a lowered configuration, wherein the swivel plane is not parallel to the floor, and a raised configuration, wherein the swivel plane is substantially parallel to the floor.

Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

A driving tool includes an elongate socket body, and a non-marring cover around the socket body. The socket body includes a socket compatible with lug nuts, and a driver adaptor behind the socket. The cover is supported on the socket body for axial extension and axial retraction ahead of the socket.

A hand lift system for positioning a wheel and tire to be placed on a vehicle hub, the system being made up of two primary components. A first paddle component provides a shovel shaped lever to be placed under the tire to be lifted up to the vehicle hub, with a handle grip to operate the lever arm. A second component provides a solid wedge chock on which the paddle component is placed to act as a fulcrum to the paddle component lever, or to act as a support once the tire is lifted to the appropriate height. The paddle component doubles as a tool for shifting the spare tire or flat tire into place. The chock component doubles as a wheel block for either a tire still on the vehicle or a spare tire that has been rolled to the side of the vehicle for use.

A lug nut removal tool enables a user to remove a seized lug nut from a threaded stud. The lug nut removal tool comprises a drill bit which is drilled through a guide which can be adjusted in size by a collar. The drill bit comprises a plurality of blades separated by slots; the plurality of blades are mechanically coupled to cutting edges. The guide comprises guide slots which can be used to align the guide about the seized lug nut. In this manner, the user can attach the guide onto the seized lug nut and tighten the guide with a set screw. Then the user can attach the drill bit onto an air drill to cutting edge out the seized lug nut.

A corrosion-resistant wheel centering sleeve is provided to aid in centering a wheel about a wheel hub. The wheel centering sleeves have an adjustable thickness in order to coordinate with various-sized gap spaces in the wheel hole between the wheel and the stud.