Another owner changes to solid lug nuts...........

[ORRadtech]

So not thay I disagree with what you're saying. But does that mean the OEM lugs are going to fail? Or that they're not good enough?

The issue with the stock lugs is not the integrity of the core nut, it's the crappy outer shell the breaks or collects corrosion inside and bulges. If you're not looking for pretty you could probably peel the skin off the stockers and be fine.

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[burrpenick]

So not thay I disagree with what you're saying. But does that mean the OEM lugs are going to fail? Or that they're not good enough?

NO fail, and yes, they are fine! Its just the stainless steel covers dont hold up to air tools and wrong sized sockets, so then getting them off can be a chore. As I said before, I always put a coat on wax on the new lugs nuts and they do not rust, and actually if they did, it would be nearly impossible to see it on the stock Ford wheels I have!

 

[12g]

Just Purchased these Gorilla Lug Nuts on eBay (good price)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/400490952507

https://www.ebay.com/itm/181391077645

 

[ICU812]

So not thay I disagree with what you're saying. But does that mean the OEM lugs are going to fail? Or that they're not good enough?

The oem lug nuts are not soft metal, The issue with the oem ones id they are mild steel that has a s/s or tin cap over them, water gets between the lug nut itself and the s/s, tin outer "trim" cap untreated steal or even coated steal that has the coating rubbed off from the outer tin cap and lug nut and water = rust .The rust now holds the moisture even longer and gets worse and then the outer cap/tin swells.
A dry climate area they might never do this, or it take a long long time. Any place with normal rain fall forget it, anyplace that uses road salt it happen even faster, not so much an issue with Mustangs are most never drive them in the snow/winter.
The oem lug nut itself is an open type the tin cap closes it off, problem there is that water can get to the lug nuts threads and axle wheel studs threads.
I did like the 80's G.M. open lug nuts with black plastic caps.
At the drag strip,auto x, etc , you only had to remove the plastic screw on caps and you now passed tech as it had open end lug nuts.
After track time, screw the plastic cap back in the lug nut.
The aftermarket solid open end type I'm not a fan of on a street car that you are going for the sleeper look, For reasons I won't comment on here .
Some things done in my youth are better left there.
The oem tin covered lug nuts are a non issue for many owners, dry climate, never sees rain or worse snow, dried off after being washed/detailed, lives in a temp controlled garage. But in humid climate or the rust belt, they Suck.
They are nothing new, been in use since a least the 70's.
To the oem that is buying these in bulk of millions saving 10 cents per nut is huge. So them using them isn't going to stop anytime soon.

 

[WD Pro]

McGards on mine :

Cheaper to source in the U.K. when compared to the gorillas and supposedly a more corrosion resistant coating

WD

 

[Zrussian13]

Went to rotate my tires yesterday and my mcgard key broke off on the first wheel. Waiting on a replacement before I can rotate. I went ahead and ordered all new lug nuts. My stock ones are definitely bulging. Can't fit a 21mm on them anymore. I have to use a 22mm. I thought I was crazy when the 21 didn't fit. I was sure I used a 21mm in the past. Then I saw a few of these threads pop up and realized I have a problem.

 

[burrpenick]

13/16 seems to be the official size, and I know many swear by 21mm. I had too be persistent to get 3 of the 5 off one or my rear wheels that I knew were not in good shape, then took it to the shop for the other 3 wheels. I watched, he used a medium sized hammer to pound the socket over the lug, then used the air wrench to remove them. another interesting thing is the TORQUE. Ford says 150, but this shop preferred 100, I went with 120. Lots to read about on that but some were complaining about broken lugs and studs and my guess is 140 is overkill- to protect FORD legally! Hope your key did not break off in the lock!

 

[The_Mad_Patcher]

I replaced the stock lug nuts on my 2018 Mustang with gorillas too. I even changed the lug nuts on my 2003 Marauder for the same reason. Slow learning curve for Ford?

 

[ICU812]

Went to rotate my tires yesterday and my mcgard key broke off on the first wheel. Waiting on a replacement before I can rotate. I went ahead and ordered all new lug nuts. My stock ones are definitely bulging. Can't fit a 21mm on them anymore. I have to use a 22mm. I thought I was crazy when the 21 didn't fit. I was sure I used a 21mm in the past. Then I saw a few of these threads pop up and realized I have a problem.

Don't use an impact tool on the locking lug nuts and tool, and this should not happen.
Also make sure the socket and tool is straight on the nut, not angled from leverage of a long breaker bar.

 

[OGsmakDadE]

I received my Gorilla nuts today and will install on next tire rotation so everybody can see them.

We are eagerly anticipating the pictures.

I have rays engineering titanium lug nuts on my Honda prelude, they are so light I thought they were plastic. Expensive but very nice. I’ve used gorilla lug nuts on two other cars, plan to use them again on the mustang. When/ if I get aftermarket wheels, I may look into a fancier option.

 

[Zrussian13]

Don't use an impact tool on the locking lug nuts and tool, and this should not happen.
Also make sure the socket and tool is straight on the nut, not angled from leverage of a long breaker bar.

I never use impact guns on my lugs. I use a standard size 1/2" socket to break them free.

 

[LetItRide1978]

This is what I have. Anyone have experience with them? Will they have the same issues as the stock ones?

https://www.cjponyparts.com/ford-performance-lug-nut-set-oe-style-black-mustang-2015-2021/p/M1012MB/

 

[NightmareMoon]

13/16 seems to be the official size, and I know many swear by 21mm. I had too be persistent to get 3 of the 5 off one or my rear wheels that I knew were not in good shape, then took it to the shop for the other 3 wheels. I watched, he used a medium sized hammer to pound the socket over the lug, then used the air wrench to remove them. another interesting thing is the TORQUE. Ford says 150, but this shop preferred 100, I went with 120. Lots to read about on that but some were complaining about broken lugs and studs and my guess is 140 is overkill- to protect FORD legally! Hope your key did not break off in the lock!

wrong on the torque. If you look up what a standard nut torque is for a 14mm bolt, its 148ft lbs. the bigger the bolt, the higher the torque to get the correct clamping force. These cars use unusually large studs and so the torque required is surprisingly large too.

its not a lawyers game and its certainly not a layman’s guessing game. Will the fall off at 140? Probably not, but 120 is quite low for this application and 100 might well come off while your driving

 

[jblue]

Didn't wait for disaster here, replaced the chrome-ish 2-piece parts with Gorilla lugnuts:
https://www.cjponyparts.com/gorilla...style-bulge-black-chrome-2015-2021/p/WHLLN20/

I really like the black chrome look over the regular stainless steel ones anyway. I haven't received my car yet, but I learned from this forum about those lugs nuts, or I would have never known. That is going to be one of the first things I do when I get my car. Dealer told me within 2 weeks! Yeah! Thanks for the info and pic.

 

[David Schmidt]

I really like the black chrome look over the regular stainless steel ones anyway. I haven't received my car yet, but I learned from this forum about those lugs nuts, or I would have never known. That is going to be one of the first things I do when I get my car. Dealer told me within 2 weeks! Yeah! Thanks for the info and pic.

That's the trouble with this forum... imagine my surprise when I looked at my otherwise blacked-out car and all of a sudden after reading one of those "what did you do to your Mustang today" threads I realized I had chrome lugnuts. No longer!

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