Swollen Lug Nuts
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 305
Likes: 14
From: Louisville, KY
Swollen Lug Nuts
So, I guess I've been living under a rock. I missed this topic if it was discussed before. I went to get my tires rotated today. My lug nuts have swollen such that the socket won't fit. The tire shop apologized for not having any replacements in stock. They said this is a very common problem on many Ford vehicles and they ran out, but have more on order. After he mentioned that, I remembered my boyfriend had to get all new lug nuts on his 2012 Ford Fusion last year when he got new tires.
So I did some google searching. There is tons of information on this. Apparently the design is poor; in that the lugs are of a two piece design. An actual lug nut with a cap. The tire shop had two choices. A one piece design that look different, but work; or an exact replica that is a bit more money, but also one piece. I opted for the exact replica one piece lugs. I'll go back when they come in. The set is about $55
Has anyone else experienced this on their F150 or other Ford product? If I missed this topic before, sorry. I was stunned when I searched this on the internet!
So I did some google searching. There is tons of information on this. Apparently the design is poor; in that the lugs are of a two piece design. An actual lug nut with a cap. The tire shop had two choices. A one piece design that look different, but work; or an exact replica that is a bit more money, but also one piece. I opted for the exact replica one piece lugs. I'll go back when they come in. The set is about $55
Has anyone else experienced this on their F150 or other Ford product? If I missed this topic before, sorry. I was stunned when I searched this on the internet!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 103
From: FL
Sure have, you're not the only one. Replaced with Gorilla. See here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...installed.html
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 103
From: FL
Well, I just traded truck in on an 18 but they still looked like new. Had rotated the tires several times, hammering away with impact gun (as it should be on a truck) and never had an issue. Will probably end up with gorillas on new truck it these give me any issues
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
Have had problems with those chrome lug nuts on two Ford cars, not with bulging but rounding. Almost couldn’t get one off. Luckily it was in my garage swapping winter tires instead if a flat tire out on the road
My preference is to replace them with steel or splined lug nuts.
My preference is to replace them with steel or splined lug nuts.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,808
Likes: 2,604
From: The Shenandoah Valley
Have had them on several Fords over the years.
I use a 6 point socket and breaker bar to break loose, a torque wrench with same 6 point socket for final tightening. I have used air wrench with the 6 point to zip off or on to speed it up, but I don't hammer the lugs. Never been a problem.
I have seen solid aftermarket no name nuts come off leaving threads on stud.
I have seen guys at a local tire shop use a air wrench with what looked like a regular socket on customers cars, not mine.
A worn, even new, 12 point socket on air wrench is lethal on these nuts.
LOL … as a trooper, found folks sometimes on interstate with blow out, special splined lug nuts or antitheft nut on a stud, and no idea where they last saw the socket that came with them. When I get a vehicle with them, I replace them soon as I can.
I use a 6 point socket and breaker bar to break loose, a torque wrench with same 6 point socket for final tightening. I have used air wrench with the 6 point to zip off or on to speed it up, but I don't hammer the lugs. Never been a problem.
I have seen solid aftermarket no name nuts come off leaving threads on stud.
I have seen guys at a local tire shop use a air wrench with what looked like a regular socket on customers cars, not mine.
A worn, even new, 12 point socket on air wrench is lethal on these nuts.
LOL … as a trooper, found folks sometimes on interstate with blow out, special splined lug nuts or antitheft nut on a stud, and no idea where they last saw the socket that came with them. When I get a vehicle with them, I replace them soon as I can.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 725
From: Calgary Canada
This is a best practice, and will greatly reduce issues, no matter what vehicle or style of lug nuts.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 2,521
From: Pittsburgh
Lug nuts
I too have switched mine out to the Gorillas . Never had an issue with my 06 Escape so i was surprised with the F 150 and i also have a breaker bar and 6 pt socket to remove them .
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 103
From: FL
I use a Kobalt 350 ft-lbs max air impact with 6 point impact socket. In reverse, the impact used full torque. For install, setting 2 on the impact is ~140 ft-lbs and finish with calibrated torque wrench.
There is NO reason the lugs nuts should have this happen and I've never had an issue with previous Fords using this method.This is a truck - not a sports car. It should be able to handle a impact.
As I mentioned, the gorillas had no issue and I would recommend them to anyone with this problem. Old ones went right into the trash.
There is NO reason the lugs nuts should have this happen and I've never had an issue with previous Fords using this method.This is a truck - not a sports car. It should be able to handle a impact.
As I mentioned, the gorillas had no issue and I would recommend them to anyone with this problem. Old ones went right into the trash.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 2,521
From: Pittsburgh
When i removed mine i used a 7/8 " socket since they were so distorted . No impact wrench so i used a 24 inch breaker bar. Isn`t an 21 MM socket required to remove the factory lugnuts that are not distorted ?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 305
Likes: 14
From: Louisville, KY
Thanks for the tip on the gorilla lugs. They don't have a super easy website; in that I can't find a shopping tool where you enter your vehicle and it tells you the size lugs to purchase. Anybody know what size lugs my truck needs? I presume its based on my wheel. I don't know if you can tell from the signature pic; but I have the 18" wheel that comes with either the STX or FX4 in 2013.
Tomorrow I'll also call the tire shop and see if they can get these for me. I just paid this truck off and want to keep it for a few more years. I only have ~62,500 miles on it. I'd like to get good lugs and not have a problem again.
Tomorrow I'll also call the tire shop and see if they can get these for me. I just paid this truck off and want to keep it for a few more years. I only have ~62,500 miles on it. I'd like to get good lugs and not have a problem again.