Swollen (lug) Nuts

[Ben]

Any of you ever heard of swollen lug nuts? I'm sitting at the Costco tire center getting g a rotation, and they just called and told me that I have swollen nuts.

The lugs on one wheel no longer properly fit the 27mm socket. Apparently this is a Ford thing (it's my f150) and there is some kind of class action suit in the works. Costco isn't known for ripping people off so I have no reason not to believe them  anyway, I told them to give me new nuts all the way around for $32.

[zxcvbob]

Yes, I've heard of it, not sure what vehicles though.  The nuts are undersized and have a decorative sheet metal cover that brings them up to the right size.  Corrosion gets under that and swells them up so a wrench doesn't fit.  I've had to replace a few; again I don't remember what vehicle.  Probably a Ford Focus or maybe a Chevy pickup.

[Ben]

Yes, that decorative cover is exactly what the Costco guy said!

[Northwoods]

So, you had them replaced all deez nuts?

[Kingcreek]

Yep. Common issue easily remedied. Had it on fords and Jeep so far.
Not just corrosion. The impact tools will deform them also.

[BobR]

Man, you are having quite the start to the month, first your insurance kicks you in the (metaphorical) nuts and now the truck is feeling all sympathetic and has actual swollen nuts!!!  :)

bob

[Brad Johnson]

Yes, I've heard of it, not sure what vehicles though.  The nuts are undersized and have a decorative sheet metal cover that brings them up to the right size.  Corrosion gets under that and swells them up so a wrench doesn't fit.  I've had to replace a few; again I don't remember what vehicle.  Probably a Ford Focus or maybe a Chevy pickup.

This. Common thing, especially where a lot of road salt is used.

Brad

[Tuco]

Put the swollen nuts in a little sack and drape it over the trailer hitch?

[WLJ]

Yes, I've heard of it, not sure what vehicles though.  The nuts are undersized and have a decorative sheet metal cover that brings them up to the right size.  Corrosion gets under that and swells them up so a wrench doesn't fit.  I've had to replace a few; again I don't remember what vehicle.  Probably a Ford Focus or maybe a Chevy pickup.

My 07 Focus had those. Replaced them all with real lug nuts when several of the covers fell off.

[Ben]

Okay, so it's not just Ford. If it's this common, it sure seems dumb of them to keep using these cover designs. I suppose it's a cheap way to make the rims look a little fancier? For the people into that. I'd rather have an ugly rim with lug nuts that I can get off if I have a flat in BFE.

[dogmush]

I'm just curious what kind of Chinesium lug nuts you got for $32.  When I had to replace the lug nuts on my F150, the cheapest decent quality lug nuts I could find were like $5 a piece.

[Ben]

I'm just curious what kind of Chinesium lug nuts you got for $32.  When I had to replace the lug nuts on my F150, the cheapest decent quality lug nuts I could find were like $5 a piece.

Eh, I've had a good life. 

I mean, 1/2" Grade 8 nuts run like a buck a piece.

[French G.]

Definitely had that on all my ford products. Changed them all out as soon as I could. Had the opposite problem on the front hubs, the nuts holding them on I got all eight off because I am just that good but I was four millimeters lower in socket selection because the corrosion had removed that much nut.

[Ben]

I wonder if I just never knew about it or had it on any of my previous Fords because of the CA climate, and just got it now because of potatoho Winters?

[K Frame]

The US Army made a LOT of training films about how to avoid swollen nuts during World War II...

It apparently didn't really work.

[Boomhauer]

It’s a Ford and Jeep thing for sure. And it’s hell getting one out of a socket when you are tool limited such as on the side of a road.

[BobR]

The US Army made a LOT of training films about how to avoid swollen nuts during World War II...

It apparently didn't really work.

That is a good point, but perhaps the sheath they told men to use to prevent the swollen nuts wasn't as permeable or installed as long as the sheaths on the auto (lug) nuts.

bob

[griz]

Happened to my father on his Ford Fusion.  A flat on the interstate and the lug wrench that came with the car didn't fit.  Also, the VDOT service guy we called didn't have a socket to fit and he had all the standard (and oddball) sizes.  Had to tow the car.

[cordex]

I had a flat the other day and stopped to change it on the side of the interstate. A guy pulled up behind me in a Dodge Durango just as I was finishing up and said he had a flat but no jack. I helped him change his tire and noticed that the lug wrench wouldn’t fit one of his lug nuts as it was slightly swollen.  We ended up beating his lug wrench onto the nut with my lug wrench and got it changed. I hadn’t put much thought into it until reading this thread.

[Bogie]

Most lug nuts have a bevel to self-center in the wheel's holes, so that the wheel doesn't get a chance to move back and forth, elongating the hole, and trashing the stud.
 
I think the cheapest I sell is about $2.50.
 
If it will fit (some alloy wheels don't have a lot of clearance) use an impact socket, and a battery powered impact gun. Or a four-way wrench, supporting the outboard end under your jack... Then step on the left side, and that will pop most loose.
 
Your counter guy should also be able to set  you up with all-steel nuts.

[Ben]

Your counter guy should also be able to set  you up with all-steel nuts.

I was born with all steel nuts.

[JTHunter]

Man, you are having quite the start to the month, first your insurance kicks you in the (metaphorical) nuts and now the truck is feeling all sympathetic and has actual swollen nuts!!!  :)

bob

 

[RoadKingLarry]

I was born with all steel nuts.

Is that why they call your "Rusty"?