I replaced the standard MG McGard ones that the car came with (that are made of cheese), and replaced them with FORD McGard ones

Removing with a power gun isn't really an issue, they just shouldn't be done up with one. If the locking nut key was damaged trying to get the nuts off then they were obviously already done up to tight previously. Not really the tyre fitters fault.

I've been a mobile tyre fitter for 7 years and i've snapped countless locking nut keys due to monkey mechanics doing them up to tight with air guns. Not really avoidable.

I know the nuts were not tight as I did them up I lost one as I do not do them tight and when getting them off they were not tight as the others


Paul

Your probably more likely to snap a locking nut key using a breaker bar than you are with an air gun when removing them.

Reason being with a breaker bar your pushing down on the nut which tends push the key downwards and off the nut rounding it off. Atleast with a gun your putting inwards force on it keeping the pressure the same all the way round.