Clamp Removal

[Blind_Io]

This came up in the Top Gear section, about the Stig's alleged clamping incident outside of MPH. I found a site that tells, in detail, how to remove various wheel clamps. It's supposed to be "members only" but thanks to Google and sloppy web design I can view it.

This is similar to the clamp in this example except the lock was an integral part of the main plate and the chain was held by the locking pin and not a padlock.

1. The first clamp I removed was attached in a place where no warning signs existed. I decided there and then to try to get it off as the fine was £60 (US$90) and I knew that trying to plead with the clampers was a waste of time. I walked across town and bought a hacksaw for @£10 ($15).

The problem with clamps is that they are usually made from hardened steel. This particular clamp consisted of a plate and a chain which wrapped around the axle. This is a design to stop people letting air from their tyres and slipping the clamp off.

Try as I might the saw made no impression and simply polished the steel - I spent several minutes attacking the device in various areas but it was a seriously tough bit of kit...then...

I found a weakness!

There is a soft area on these clamps and on several other types. It is the bolt in the locking mechanism, the locking pin which holds the chain. This is the only component made from mild steel and which can be cut. It's a good area because it releases the chain instantly.

2. I have touched on the next clamp in Example 1.
I have successfully removed two of these types. They are made up of 3 bars which hook over the tyre held in place by a front plate designed to restrict access to the wheel nuts.

The idea is to let as much air from the tyre as you can drive away with. Then add the secret ingredient...brute force!

If you pull hard enough it is possible to bend the vertical arm back away from the wheel leaving you free to drive out of the contraption.

Another approach I found online:

1.Do what I do.....buy a cordless drill and keep it in the boot (trunk)....spend about £40 on the drill and keep 2 batteries fully charged.

2. You will need a titanium/cobalt drill bit...5,6,7,8mm will suffice....these are only available from Locksmith supply companies....I am a locksmith!

3. Locate the lock mechanism and or padlock locking mechanism...and drill it!!

4. Make sure the drill is not on hammer!!

5.Do this and the lock is..well..opened!!

6.Keep an eye out for the clampers......they dont like there clamps mullered!!

This one isn't bad, I had a project that required a power drill and I didn't own one at the time. I picked up one at Costco for about $40.

[Peter3hg]

Its all well and good tell you get found and are done for criminal damage.

[Viper007Bond]

If they can clamp you on a public street, that's seriously fucked up.

[Peter3hg]

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

If they can clamp you on a public street, that's seriously fucked up.

It's a bit of a problem at a moment, there is currently no regulation of the clampers so basically anyone can go buy a clamp, find a private car park, and start clamping cars. On public roads the councils use reputable companies so you shouldn't get ripped off.

[D-Fence]

wasn´t there this super hero dude in london attacking clamps with a flex?

[Viper007Bond]

Originally Posted by peter3hg2

It's a bit of a problem at a moment, there is currently no regulation of the clampers so basically anyone can go buy a clamp, find a private car park, and start clamping cars. On public roads the councils use reputable companies so you shouldn't get ripped off.

Oh, private property? Well then anything goes. Don't park there if you don't like it.

[Blind_Io]

Originally Posted by peter3hg2

Its all well and good tell you get found and are done for criminal damage.

Apparently they advise you to take the clamp with you once you get it off. Without a damaged clamp or other evidence they have no way to prove that you were the one to remove the clamp. It could have been removed by anyone who has a vendetta against clampers.

If they take you to court they have to prove you damaged or destroyed the clamp, and if the laws in the UK are the same as the US, you cannot be forced to testify against yourself. Anyway, if someone places something on your car, like a leaflet, does it not become yours? I mean, if you can be ticketed for littering if you take a leaflet off your windscreen and drop it on the ground then why can't you remove a clamp that has been placed on your wheel? Also, if this occurs on private property, the police won't respond, saying it's a civil matter. From what I have read, the clampers depend on this when extorting their victims, but it works both ways - if you start cutting through the clamp or bending it they can't call the cops on you either. From what I gather, most of the time they put on the clamp and a notice of what number to call to get it removed. They run a volume business and they want their guys out setting clamps, not sitting on their arses watching cars sit with clamped tires, so they probably are not around anyway.

I would take the chance and destroy the clamp to free my car, if they want to throw resources after tracking me down by license plate number and take me to court they can, but it would cost more than it's worth. In the end they can't prove that I had the car towed home and that it's sitting in my garage with the clamp still on the wheel. They attached it to my vehicle in the hopes that the vehicle would not move, I found a way to move the car and the clamp moved with it. I guess they should have thought of that before locking it on my car.

[Cobol74]

Point of information:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2003422773,00.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3112670.stm

The best answer was the French one - superglue the things shut, so that to release anyone they had to destroy their own clamp!

[Viper007Bond]

New idea: buy a clamp and carry it around with you. When you park, clamp your own car. Then when some idiot comes along who wants to clamp it, he'll go "oh, it's already been clamped!" and be on his way. When you're done shopping, remove your own clamp and drive away.

Genius? Why yes, I am.

[Blind_Io]

That was done in a film a few years ago, Coyote Ugly, I think.

Not a bad idea, either. If private firms can buy wheel clamps then why can't anyone?

Here's one on eBay:http://cgi.ebay.com/Denver-Boot-HANS...QQcmdZViewItem
the guy says it was "used on [his] classic Jaguar" I wonder if he bought it for security or he was clamped and got it off somehow.

There is this site: http://www.tirelock.com/product.php?cid=1
They have the option of buying "spare" keys to their product for about $7. With a little research (looking at the locks being used on cars in your area) you might be able to get "spare" keys to most the models. Anything using a standard padlock would probably be fairly easy to defeat with a drill or saw.

[mautzel]

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

New idea: buy a clamp and carry it around with you. When you park, clamp your own car. Then when some idiot comes along who wants to clamp it, he'll go "oh, it's already been clamped!" and be on his way. When you're done shopping, remove your own clamp and drive away.

Genius? Why yes, I am.

That's truely a brilliant idea - will have to remember it if they ever start clamping cars over here!

(You can forget about the whole clamping thing in Germany as you usually will get towed away if parking in restricted public areas)

[stuntfreak]

i think this was shown on one of the fifth gear eposiode

[chaos386]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

Anything using a standard padlock would probably be fairly easy to defeat with a drill or saw.

Or you could use a bump key and leave the clamp completely intact.

[D-Fence]

Originally Posted by mautzel

That's truely a brilliant idea - will have to remember it if they ever start clamping cars over here!

(You can forget about the whole clamping thing in Germany as you usually will get towed away if parking in restricted public areas)

They use clamping and "release air from tires when car is moved devices" when you dont pay your taxes over here.........

[mautzel]

Originally Posted by D-Fence

They use clamping and "release air from tires when car is moved devices" when you dont pay your taxes over here.........

Never seen / noticed that!

[Viper007Bond]

They just give you a ticket here and or tow you if you're parked in a really bad spot.

[BlaRo]

Does anybody else find it ironic when you park in an area you're not supposed to be in, and a cop clamps your car to teach you a lesson, but you just end up spending more time in a space you're not supposed to be in?