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Strange Lugnut issue on 2021 MUSTANG GT

2021CSGTJH12

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So I have a 2021 Mustang GT CS. My question is are the OEM lugnut supposed to have a play?

Spec is 150 pounds of torque and I made sure it clicks and tighten. I took it for a 2-3 mile normal drive, under 50mph. Came back and parked the car. The lugnut has a play. Video below. Hard to explain but here is how I describe it. Put two fingers to the lugnut and you can turn it a it but won’t let you loosen but you can turn it tighten but won’t let go any tighter. It’s almost like wiggle room?
Does the OEM comes with a cover?
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SHOdaddy68

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(Your video did not load)The OEM lugnuts suck! They have a thin metal cover over the actual lugnut. If you take them on or off with an impact they are probably ruined because the covers are now stretched and loose. If you got them to the right torque they won't loosen up but the covers will still be loose. Only thing to do to fix them is a new set of solid aftermarket lugs.
 
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2021CSGTJH12

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So this is what I got from GOOGLE AI
Yes, the 2021 Mustang OEM lug nuts have a permanently attached sheet metal chrome cover over an underlying steel nut. If you feel wiggle room or play when you try to move it, your lug nuts are failing and must be replaced immediately. [1, 2, 3]
This is a notorious, incredibly common design flaw known throughout the automotive community as "Ford swollen lug nuts." [1, 2]

Why They Wiggle
  • Two-Piece Design: The factory hardware consists of an inner steel core capped with a thin, decorative chrome shell. [1, 2, 3]
  • Trapped Moisture: Over time, moisture gets trapped between the steel core and the outer chrome cap. This causes the steel underneath to rust and expand. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  • Impact Wrench Damage: If a mechanic used a high-powered impact gun or the wrong size socket, the force physically warps and stretches the outer shell away from the inner nut. [1, 2]
 
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2021CSGTJH12

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(Your video did not load)The OEM lugnuts suck! They have a thin metal cover over the actual lugnut. If you take them on or off with an impact they are probably ruined because the covers are now stretched and loose. If you got them to the right torque they won't loosen up but the covers will still be loose. Only thing to do to fix them is a new set of solid aftermarket lugs.
Sir!! You’re 100% right. What do you recommend ? Any reputable after market lug nuts set I can buy? American muscle?
 

SHOdaddy68

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Any tire store will have a set that's better than the OEM Ford crap. I just wish there was a decent set of black lugs out there that won't rust after a couple years.
 

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ORRadtech

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Any tire store will have a set that's better than the OEM Ford crap. I just wish there was a decent set of black lugs out there that won't rust after a couple years.
I put these on ove 6 years ago and no rust yet. I don't live in the rust belt though. I have been very happy with them.
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kz

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Sir!! You’re 100% right. What do you recommend ? Any reputable after market lug nuts set I can buy? American muscle?
Buy Gorilla ones or Ford Performance open ended ones (they're not very pretty though). American Muscle is a terrible store.
 
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2021CSGTJH12

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Buy Gorilla ones or Ford Performance open ended ones (they're not very pretty though). American Muscle is a terrible store.
Will do. $145 with wheel lock. So what is wrong with American Muscle? Their products are not bad. I saw these for $54.99 I was gonna order them until you mentioned that there are terrible store. They don’t come with wheel locks, which I don’t care for it since my car I usually park in the garage.

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PonyEnjoyer

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From my research, the highest quality aftermarket lug nut is the McGard 64073.

However, if you care about keeping compatibility with the OEM spare tire lug nut wrench, the Dorman OE Fix 611-007 is a 21mm replacement lug nut that copies the original lug nut except it is one-piece. The McGard is a 22mm nut.

Most aftermarket lugs, including the commonly touted Gorillas, are actually 13/16 inch instead of 21mm.

EDIT: McGards take a 22mm hex - forgot to mention originally.
 

Joe Gonsalves

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American Muscle is not that bad. I purchased lots of stuff from them over the years. You can't blame them for issues with parts that they don't make. The only issue I have with their web site is it won't post a bad review. I bought Power Stop brake pads for my 2011, pads are junk by the way, and they had chunks of material breaking off them. I had already installed the rears and was working on fronts when I noticed the issues like the spring clips popping off. Tried to write a review like 5 times, and it never got posted. Other than that I've gotten good deals and fast delivery from them.
 

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RescueLt

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I have the black Gorilla lugs as well. They are durable, and look good. Bought the whole set on Ebay with locks for about $80.
 
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SHOdaddy68

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Will do. $145 with wheel lock. So what is wrong with American Muscle? Their products are not bad. I saw these for $54.99 I was gonna order them until you mentioned that there are terrible store. They don’t come with wheel locks, which I don’t care for it since my car I usually park in the garage.

IMG_2637.webp
This is the set I bought a few years ago. Looked great when new. I have only removed them a few times and the black coating does not last. More surface rust than black. This thread reminds me I need to replace them with a better product.
 

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From my research, the highest quality aftermarket lug nut is the McGard 64073.
That's what I have but in black (64074) :like:

Most aftermarket lugs, including the commonly touted Gorillas, are actually 13/16 inch instead of 21mm.
As are the Ford two piece nuts - use of a 21mm socket likely being a contributory factor in causing and / or speeding up the failure ... :frown:

WD :like:
 

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I have a set of black Gorilla lugs and they faded vs my black wheel color so I'm not the biggest fan of their black ones.
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