LUG nuts

[Tbone289]

Sad, as my VW Lugs lasted 13 years on my GLI and 9+ on my Passat without requiring replacements.

It's not that sad really, as a quality 1-piece replacement set can be had for $30.

"Pot metal" is an exaggeration, as there's no way pot metal would stand up to Ford's torque spec.

Sponsored

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

It's not that sad really, as a quality 1-piece replacement set can be had for $30.

I guess that depends on your definition of "quality". There isn't a set of the 20 for $30 lugnuts I've looked at that don't have reports of the chrome ones rusting, or the black ones chipping.

McGard is the only manufacturer I can find that has a lifetime warranty on the finish.

HRG

 

[Tbone289]

I guess that depends on your definition of "quality". There isn't a set of the 20 for $30 lugnuts I've looked at that don't have reports of the chrome ones rusting, or the black ones chipping.

McGard is the only manufacturer I can find that has a lifetime warranty on the finish.

HRG

Yes, of course it depends. My experience with the brand I linked earlier has been much better than the experience that I've had with two-piece OEM Ford lug nuts, and my experience is the the only one I have to go by. There's been no swelling or rusting in my experience over many more miles than I get from OEM before they begin to fail.

But in any case, my opinion is that chipping and rusting of outer finish if it were to happen is much better than OEM swelling and falling apart any day.

YMMV

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

But in any case, my opinion is that chipping and rusting of outer finish is much better than OEM swelling and falling apart any day.

Agreed. HRG

 

[Retro1]

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?

Can't speak yet on the Maverick (it's only a week old); but the problem is REAL. I have the wonky lug nuts on a 2005 Vibe and when they mounted the tires they used the impact gun (can't fault them there) BUT likely set @ 150psi (maybe 200psi?). Anyway, virtually impossible to take them off with a lug wrench or normal socket. I hammered a smaller sock on, got them off, and drove the lug nut back out of the socket afterwards. They have a kind of "tinny" chrome shell that rounds over with anymore than about 60psi of pressure. Tell the jokers at the tire shop to lower the output pressure before they whack the nuts on!

 

[HeyBales]

After dealing with friend's 2 Toyota's that had been serviced who knows where, same chrome cap on the true nuts - I had to use lug nut extractor on I think 5 total, which just broke off the cap on 3 of them.
So at least could get to true lug nut, which was a true MM size and not goofy.
But whoever did theirs truly used wrong size.

But I noticed the front on the Mav which was touched by alignment guy to swap tires - now has a slight twist halfway down the length on most the caps, making the 13/16's toooooo tight, which fits perfectly on the others and tighter than 21mm.

I can tell they just didn't get the impact socket on fully or yanked it off while still hitting the trigger, twisting that end ever so slightly.

Haven't tested the OEM wrench on them for roadside repair, but I have my own wrench socket with extension that I think is 21mm, so I'll be fine when needed.
But still annoying.

Hmmmm - I wonder if I can attempt a half socket hold to straighten them.
Ehhh, probably not.

 

[Rob P.]

Ford has a problem with swollen lug nuts.

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

Swollen Nuts? Sounds painful.

 

[Carlitos_92]

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

Hat tip, brother. Picked up a set of those and swapped them out today. Other than the thread size stamped in the side, they are EXACTLY the same size and shape as the OEM. If a new Maverick was delivered with those on them instead of the Ford junk, no one would even notice. I imagine these will hold up a lot longer. Cheers.

Chrome lugs on black wheels... Not sure what Ford was thinking.

Could be that they were thinking most people don't care, and that some may even like the look.
Even more likely, the black finish probably just costs more.

 

[BetterDays]

Could be that they were thinking most people don't care, and that some may even like the look.
Even more likely, the black finish probably just costs more.

Based on some other decisions I see with the Maverick, I am sure it was the Superman fractional penny cost savings.

Sponsored