swollen nuts, lol

[mwangarch]

reading thru the forum and realized I need to replace the lug nuts before it becomes an issue; fortunately, they're pretty inexpensive. I mean, really, Ford, did you really save that much $ by going to two piece nuts? WTF.

Sponsored

 

[Mark S.]

I get that some people don't like two-piece lug nuts, but just about every auto manufacturer uses them, including Toyota. When correctly manufactured, the caps protect the nuts underneath from corrosion. Yes, they sometimes get moisture under the cap, and some people have managed to mangle them using the wrong socket (or other tool) to remove them. But the reality is they have been in service for decades and enjoy an extremely low failure rate. After all, Toyota is not in the habit of using components that don't last.

If you get one-piece lug nuts make sure they are chrome plated. These components, like all components on the underside of your car, are exposed to the absolute worst of the elements that can cause corrosion. If the lugs you get are not corrosion proof you will be replacing them long before you would have to replace your OE two-piece nuts.

 

[mwangarch]

Apparently, Ford hasn't figured this out. Never had to replace lug nuts in 50 years of driving. Maybe 'cause I'm in California where salt isn't used much.

 

[SeaJay]

Pretty cheap to buy. My dealer swapped mine out when doing a tire rotation and knew exactly why I wanted it done no questions asked.

 

[mwangarch]

Those of us who have replace our nuts; should we hang a pair off our rear bumpers?

 

[wireman]

Apparently, Ford hasn't figured this out. Never had to replace lug nuts in 50 years of driving. Maybe 'cause I'm in California where salt isn't used much.

Unfortunately on the 2018 Escape Titanium I bought used, some "tech", owner or whomever mangled 3 of them with an air wrench.

Once they are deformed, they are hard to get a socket on and can make your life miserable trying to rotate tires.

So, it's not just the salt & rust.

 

[cprcubed]

Unfortunately on the 2018 Escape Titanium I bought used, some "tech", owner or whomever mangled 3 of them with an air wrench.

Once they are deformed, they are hard to get a socket on and can make your life miserable trying to rotate tires.

So, it's not just the salt & rust.

Same! The Roadside Assistance guy that changed a flat for my wife on our Toyota Avalon used an impact and deformed them enough where I had to hammer a socket on them to remove them (and then hammer the deformed lugnut out of the socket). I'm generally pretty careful when I R&R them on the vehicles, using only hand tools, but I just ordered some McGard lugnuts and locks for the BS. Cheers!

 

[wireman]

Same! The Roadside Assistance guy that changed a flat for my wife on our Toyota Avalon used an impact and deformed them enough where I had to hammer a socket on them to remove them (and then hammer the deformed lugnut out of the socket). I'm generally pretty careful when I R&R them on the vehicles, using only hand tools, but I just ordered some McGard lugnuts and locks for the BS. Cheers!

I bought a set of locking McGards also.

 

[Caliope]

I swapped out the two piece lug nuts on my '19 Ranger Lariat, mainly because I thought chrome lugs didn't look right with the solid Magnetic rims. I installed black lugs instead.

 

[Bucko]

Unfortunately on the 2018 Escape Titanium I bought used, some "tech", owner or whomever mangled 3 of them with an air wrench.

Once they are deformed, they are hard to get a socket on and can make your life miserable trying to rotate tires.

So, it's not just the salt & rust.

Its for this reason that I bought a set of black one piece. I don't want the wife to be stranded at a tire shop because they striped a lug nut with the impact wrench.

Cheap insurance to make a happy wife.

 

[69cuda340s]

My '16 F150 been in garage since new and lug nuts are swollen just from periodic car washing.

 

[mwangarch]

Easy and cheap repair; only takes about 15 minutes to replace them. Only tool you need is a 19mm socket and 1/2" drive torque wrench. Plus, you keep the wrench and socket in the tire tray and it's better than that wimpy flex socket that comes with the car.

 

[kshaw]

I get that some people don't like two-piece lug nuts, but just about every auto manufacturer uses them, including Toyota. When correctly manufactured, the caps protect the nuts underneath from corrosion. Yes, they sometimes get moisture under the cap, and some people have managed to mangle them using the wrong socket (or other tool) to remove them. But the reality is they have been in service for decades and enjoy an extremely low failure rate. After all, Toyota is not in the habit of using components that don't last.

If you get one-piece lug nuts make sure they are chrome plated. These components, like all components on the underside of your car, are exposed to the absolute worst of the elements that can cause corrosion. If the lugs you get are not corrosion proof you will be replacing them long before you would have to replace your OE two-piece nuts.

Mark, based on my personal experience with a previous Ford Escape, this problem is a big deal that can become a safety hazard. Frankly, I am surprised that NTSB has not made Ford do a recall on those lug nuts. Imagine that you have a flat in a remote area and attempt to change your tire and find that your lug wrench, calibrated for a 19mm nut, will only fit two of the five lug nuts. You may as well just not have a spare tire. I discovered the problem when I decided to replace the brake pads on the Escape at 40,000 miles. The 19mm socket would only fit 20 percent of the lug nuts. For the rest, I used trial and error with a 20mm, 21mm, and 22mm sockets and a hammer to drive them on and I had to use a lug nut extractor socket to remove two of the nuts. I discussed with my local Ford dealership and they agreed to offer me a discount of about $1 off each off new lug nuts. I started carrying a socket wrench with my additional sockets, 15 of the new lug nuts, and the lug nut extractor. I am doing the same for the BS.

 

[Mark S.]

Mark, based on my personal experience with a previous Ford Escape, this problem is a big deal that can become a safety hazard. Frankly, I am surprised that NTSB has not made Ford do a recall on those lug nuts.

I don't know the specific rules, but my guess is the NTSB is not going to issue a safety recall for what's really a maintenance difficulty. To my knowledge, there is no evidence of a two-piece lug nut coming off on it's own due to water/corrosion damage to the cover.

I get everyone's concern; I've experienced issues with two-piece lug nuts too. The idea of getting stuck out in the boonies because you can't remove a lug nut following a flat should be on your list if you frequently venture out on your own (not part of a group).

My point is I don't think these are as much of a problem as they are being made out to be. Manufacturers have been using them for decades because they offer significant advantages over one-piece lug nuts. They have a good service history if care is taken while installing and removing them--i.e. don't use an impact wrench. Use of an impact wrench can break the seal between the nut and cover allowing moisture to get in.

If you haven't experienced any issues with your lug nuts I recommend leaving them alone. Ask your maintenance shop not to use an impact wrench when rotating your tires to avoid damaging the cover, and replace them if/when a problem arises.

BTW, the issue I had with two-piece lug nuts occurred after I used an impact wrench to remove/replace the lug nuts while rotating my tires. Live and learn.

 

[mwangarch]

It's such an inexpensive thing to replace; I don't understand why people don't just do it. Toyota and Nissan apparently have had some issues, too, from what I'm seeing on the Internet, where everything is true!

Sponsored