LUG nuts

[BillB]

OK here's a new twist I'd never even think of. I was asked if I wanted to change out my lug nuts. My brain shouted "SCAM". The Tech said the lug nuts on most new cars are now using a softer metal on the actual lug portion (China made??) but not the threads. There are documented cases of being stranded roadside because the nut portion strips to round when attempting to remove and you can no longer get the tire off. It happens frequently in tire shops and some have even started making you sign a waiver before doing any tire work. I called BS and called my local NAPA store and the guy said he can't keep the "good ones" in stock. They are 4 to 6 dollars apiece around here. The only way to get the tire off in most cases is to hammer and chisel the lug nut off. According to the NAPA guy, it doesn't matter if you use a wrench or impact driver, that you probably have at least a 40-50% failure rate on each lug nut. He also said to be very cautious when buying new ones and that they need to be sourced for a reputable company to avoid just replacing bad with bad. Any experience from anyone?

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[Glen Baker LLC]

Ford's with swollen lug nuts, is a thing.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/swelling-lug-nuts.21630/

 

[MaverickDragon]

@BillB
Hmm..
What about the stock Maverick lug nuts?
I haven't seen anyone on the forum mention a problem with them yet, and the "similar search list" doesn't show that either. I know on the XL with steel wheels, alloy wheels will require lug nuts designed for them.
That may be a different case for the other trims if they have alloy wheels or some other factor is involved, but with a new vehicle under warranty, keep the lug nuts you have, as the warranty won't replace parts you add on if there is a problem...

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I'm guessing, it's too early for the problem to show up on our Mavericks in mass. Three years ago we were at Discount Tire getting new tires for my wife's 2017 Escape. The tech showed us how bad the lug nuts were getting.
Her Escape has never been in freezing temps, snow or much rain.

 

[OleFordGuy]

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/best-chrome-lug-nuts.49777/

 

[Cycopath]

@BillB
Hmm..
What about the stock Maverick lug nuts?
I haven't seen anyone on the forum mention a problem with them yet, and the "similar search list" doesn't show that either. I know on the XL with steel wheels, alloy wheels will require lug nuts designed for them.
That may be a different case for the other trims if they have alloy wheels or some other factor is involved, but with a new vehicle under warranty, keep the lug nuts you have, as the warranty won't replace parts you add on if there is a problem...

They're still too new. The issue is that the OE lugs are two different metals. The actual nut part is normal steel and the chrome cap is cheap crap. Moisture gets in between the two then rusts causing the cap to swell. Most of the auto parts stores sell one piece lugs that won't do that

 

[MaverickDragon]

I learn something every day...
I wonder if there is a difference between the XL and other trims due to the steel wheels.
The XL also has covers over the lug nuts, so that might make a difference...

 

[Cycopath]

I learn something every day...
I wonder if there is a difference between the XL and other trims due to the steel wheels.
The XL also has covers over the lug nuts, so that might make a difference...

Can confirm that there is. The XL doesn't have "capped" lugs, so there's nothing to swell.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

I've already had the lug nuts on my '24 Lariat Tremor replaced under warranty, when I could no longer get a 21mm-13/16" socket on them.

HRG

 

[Tbone289]

I replaced mine with these one piece lug nuts within weeks of buying my Maverick XLT. Amazon will tell you they don't fit, but I assure you they do. I've used this brand on 3 vehicles with no issues.

https://a.co/d/0dn4HgWR

 

[BK007]

I was thinking about these...

 

[icegradner]

I was thinking about these...

Trucker style, like right out of a horror movie.

 

[jonshep]

The problem is the outer cover, the shiny part, made from aluminum crap. If you are out in the boon toolies and have a flat and use the little toy lug wrench, there is a chance you misalign the wrench and spin the crap cover. You then must cut it off with a flat screw drive, it's made from crap, and then find the metric socket that fits the inner lug nut. The actual nut under the crap cover is an excellent lug nut and it will work as engineered, doesn't look to good but it's not made from crap. I hear that in cold country you can get water behind/under the crap cover, it freezes, and causes swelling. I haven't had that happen but if it does you have to cut the crap cover off and find the smaller socket to get the steal lug nut off the car. My wife bought a 2023 Edge with crap covers on the lug nuts. So the first week she had it, I ordered a set of chrome, solid steal, lug nuts and changed all 20 of them. When I bought my 2024 Maverick, the first week I ordered a set of 20 chrome steal lug nuts and changed them. I liked the looks of the 7/8" better than the 13/16" so mine are bigger. I took the 40 crap covered lug nuts down to a friend's tire shop and gave them to him so he could replace the crap cover lug nuts his employees spun with an impact. It's a simple fix to change the lug nuts and get good solid chrome nuts. Do them one at a time and you won't have jack up the vehicle.

 

[Propane Burning Man]

Part of the problem has got to be the 148lbs. of torque they are supposed to be torqued to. 148lbs. Seems ridiculous to me. My mustang torque is 100lbs. Cheap lugs also. 20 years old. Have taken the wheels off numerous times. No problem, same cheap original lugs.

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