Swollen Nuts?

[patmat2350]

The next mm size up socket, preferably 6-point (20mm iirc?), will do the job on your swollen schwetty nutz. Worked for me.

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[Colonel Angus]

Good tip but I've replaced them with a real set.

 

[RushMan]

Good tip but I've replaced them with a real set.

Before I even ordered my '24 BS BL, I ordered new lug nuts for it.

 

[patmat2350]

Yeah, but the 20mm will get your swollen nuts off so's you can install the new ones. Had to do that on my '17 Escape.

 

[PaulOinMA]

I didn't need one because I swap out the lugs at first tire rotation. I learned that 19.5-mm sockets are available from these discussions. Never knew that. ?

19.5 mm socket - Google Search

 

[patmat2350]

Got my new nuts from DPAccessories on Amazon. They're perfectly functional and certainly more functional than the OE junk.
But... the flange is smaller, so they don't fill up the counterbored holes in the wheels. No one will notice just walking by, and for sure not at 70mph... but it's something.

 

[Mrmike]

I replaced the lug nuts on my '23 OBX and my wife's '20 Ecosport. I bought the splined ones for both cars. Happy with them but you have to remember to keep the special socket for them in your vehicle.

 

[Thylacine76]

For those getting the black lugnuts for replacement, what are you doing for the security lugnut with the lock?

 

[sajohnson]

I read through this thread and another one -- " Does the BS Have the Swollen Lug Nut Problem?"

I've never heard of this problem before. Near as I can tell, "2-piece" refers to an ordinary lug nut that has a decorative cap on it. Is that right?

If so, I've had a couple vehicles like that but they never gave me any trouble. What is different about the Ford design?

From people saying they are forced to use 20 or 21mm sockets I'm guessing that the caps seize to the nuts. If the caps could be removed then the standard 19mm socket could be used directly on the nuts.

Is that the case, or am I missing something?

Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 6350]

For those getting the black lugnuts for replacement, what are you doing for the security lugnut with the lock?

Buying the McGard Kit it comes with the locking lugs a key.
https://www.amazon.com/McGard-84538-Chrome-Thread-Installation/dp/B00DIX1PNC/ref=sr_1_1_pp?crid=2ZZYQ80HOEIVS&keywords=Mcgard+84538&qid=1698716477&sprefix=mcgard+84538,aps,124&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do:amzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840

 

[sajohnson]

I'm looking at the lug nuts linked to in both threads:

1) Amazon is saying these do not fit(?). The specs seem correct:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WW2M1XQ

2) These from DP look good:
https://www.amazon.com/DPAccessories-D3116-HT-2305-20-Chrome-12x1-5/dp/B00H1IBKIK?th=1

Question: Is there a difference in durability between the chrome and black finish?

 

[jsus]

I read through this thread and another one -- " Does the BS Have the Swollen Lug Nut Problem?"

I've never heard of this problem before. Near as I can tell, "2-piece" refers to an ordinary lug nut that has a decorative cap on it. Is that right?

If so, I've had a couple vehicles like that but they never gave me any trouble. What is different about the Ford design?

From people saying they are forced to use 20 or 21mm sockets I'm guessing that the caps seize to the nuts. If the caps could be removed then the standard 19mm socket could be used directly on the nuts.

Is that the case, or am I missing something?

Thanks!

See Car & Driver's article about Ford's horrible lug nuts. Experienced this myself, including having to get a half size socket to remove swollen and chewed up lug nuts, and switched multiple Fords over to McGard lug nuts.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15339991/swollen-lug-nuts-are-costing-ford-drivers-time-and-money-lawsuit-claims/

 

[sajohnson]

See Car & Driver's article about Ford's horrible lug nuts. Experienced this myself, including having to get a half size socket to remove swollen and chewed up lug nuts, and switched multiple Fords over to McGard lug nuts.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15339991/swollen-lug-nuts-are-costing-ford-drivers-time-and-money-lawsuit-claims/

Just to be clear, I'm not questioning whether it's a problem -- that's obvious from all of the posts here and on the other thread.

I'd never heard of the problem until today. It's new to me, that's all.

I'm already looking at the replacement lug nuts that forum members have linked to (see post #41).

I am curious about what causes the problem. On the vehicles I've owned , the caps either unscrewed (cheap plastic on a Pontiac) or they are a friction fit and pull off (the Sprinter cab-chassis our RV is built on). They come off easily using small Channel-lock pliers and a strip of rubber to protect the caps, and provide grip without using much force.

 

[RushMan]

I read through this thread and another one -- " Does the BS Have the Swollen Lug Nut Problem?"

I've never heard of this problem before. Near as I can tell, "2-piece" refers to an ordinary lug nut that has a decorative cap on it. Is that right?

If so, I've had a couple vehicles like that but they never gave me any trouble. What is different about the Ford design?

From people saying they are forced to use 20 or 21mm sockets I'm guessing that the caps seize to the nuts. If the caps could be removed then the standard 19mm socket could be used directly on the nuts.

Is that the case, or am I missing something?

Thanks!

My '84 VW GTI had removable plastic caps...a lug wrench would not fit over them and they were easily pulled off by hand.
The Ford lug nuts have a non-removable, bonded chromed plastic outer piece.
They will leave you stuck at a most inopportune time when you have a flat and your lug wrench won't work due to distortion of the plastic from previous removals/re-installations. Worse yet, a dealer may try and charge you a small fortune to replace them when they can't rotate your tires during your routine maintenance.

There are numerous messages on the Escape forum about this, where I used to hang out until I decided to order the BS. It is also discussed in many other places including mention of the class action lawsuit which was dismissed.
https://ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com/ford-lug-nut-swelling-problem/
You can search the Internet for "Swollen Ford lug nuts" if you want more info.

 

[sajohnson]

My '84 VW GTI had removable plastic caps...a lug wrench would not fit over them and they were easily pulled off by hand.
The Ford lug nuts have a non-removable, bonded chromed plastic outer piece.
They will leave you stuck at a most inopportune time when you have a flat and your lug wrench won't work due to distortion of the plastic from previous removals/re-installations. Worse yet, a dealer may try and charge you a small fortune to replace them when they can't rotate your tires during your routine maintenance.

There are numerous messages on the Escape forum about this, where I used to hang out until I decided to order the BS. It is also discussed in many other places including mention of the class action lawsuit which was dismissed.
https://ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com/ford-lug-nut-swelling-problem/
You can search the Internet for "Swollen Ford lug nuts" if you want more info.

Even though the lawsuit was dismissed (which seems suspicious) I'd think Ford would have abandoned that design by now. It's clearly causing problems for many customers.

You wrote:

"Worse yet, a dealer may try and charge you a small fortune to replace them when they can't rotate your tires during your routine maintenance."

Charging the CUSTOMER/OWNER extra is outrageous -- but not surprising. The issue is between the dealer and Ford. The owner did absolutely nothing wrong. No doubt the dealer knows it's easier to get money from most customers than from Ford though.

The automobile industry seems to be getting worse over time. Charging owners extra to deal with a known problem caused by a poor design that the mfr refuses to improve is a new low.

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