I managed to strip the internal thread on a locked wheel nut on my Octy yesterday. I've been looking at a few options for removing said nut but am unsure yet which to try. One method is to hammer on a socket but that's a one shot method and I risk making the problem worse.

I also found this in Halfords: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_196491_langId_-1_categoryId_255216

but the shop says it can only be used with an air gun, which I don't have, but why can does it not work manually?

Any other suggestions pls?

In the reviews someone says it doesn't need an air gun, he used a ratchet.

Sometimes you need the shock that only an impact driver can deliver to loosen some fixings.

Since you can easily get at the wheel, try using a simple impact driver, the type that you hit with a hammer on the end. Cost around £10.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cht101-1-2in-drive-impact-screwdriver-se?da=1&TC=SRC-impact+driver

Or for around £20 a simple 12V operated one like this:

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cir13c-1-2in-impact-wrench-kit-12v?da=1&TC=SRC-12v+impact+driver

I've tried using the halfords one and it didn't work as it kept on slipping off, ended up taking it to a tyre place and they did it for free by using a professional locking wheel key removal set.

Something like this?

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/laser-3464-4-piece-emergency-wheel-nut-remover?da=1&TC=SRC-locking+wheel+nut+removal

the guy uses something like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5pc-Metric-Impact-Twist-Sockets-17-19-21-22mm-Wheel-Locking-Nut-Remover-/180986386906?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a23a119da

he hammered the socket on to the nut, asked me to stand on the brake pedal and then used a ratchet to remove the nut, and it took no more than 5-10 minutes

Check a recent post i made as i have had a similar problem with my security nut and even skoda couldn't remove - I ended up going to a local garage who then tac welded a nut on and removed the bolts this way - they charged £20