Lug nuts..again :(

[Mr981]

I put the stock GT 18" wheels on today--took off the foundar 18" rims with snows on them.
Decided to re-torque the wheels after driving on them a week and found that neither a 13/16 nor a 21mm socket head would fit over these lug nuts. Put a 7/8 socket on and it was too big.
Grabbed a lugnut from the other set--which looked identical and took it down to the auto parts store and went through theirsockets to see if one would fit.
The first word out of the guys mouth was "Swollen" lug nut. He didn't bother to explain but the inference was they were distorted now--somehow.
He finally found a dual size socket head-22mm/22.5mm and the 22mm side worked just fine.
Glad I checked--the rear left was down around 100lb and the others were in the 140 range.
Anyway--I don't understand what is going on here; are these parts so cheap that they deform over time?
I have two other cars-- Toyota/Porsche-- that are either lug nuts or bolts
have have used the same ones for year without issues.
Is there a better set of aftermarket lug nuts available from a forum supplier?
thanks for any help in advance.

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[hiccup]

You can distort or leave burrs if originally torqued with incorrect or worn socket /wrench..

 

[NvrFinished]

American manufacturers have been using this type of lug nut for years. It's a chromed aluminum cover/sheath that is pressed onto the lug nut. They don't rust so they provide a cheaper alternative to a high quality lug nut. They work OK until the first loose impact wrench is used on them. Once that happens, the cover expands and doesn't want to accept the socket. Why they still use these I have no idea.

 

[hmperf]

This has been going on with Ford since the freaking 80s at least. As NvrFinished said, its a cheap chrome like cover over a steel lug nut. If not done right the cover can distort. GENERALLY you can get the socket on them with a little persuasion. However what has happened to me in the past is that rust forms between the cover and the lug nut and bows out the sides. No getting a wrench on that.

 

[jacknifetoaswan]

This happened on my both my S197, and my S550. After getting tired of it, I just bought myself a good set of Gorilla lugs. I bought the set that has locks for each of the lugs, and ended up spending damn near $100, but you can buy cheaper sets for about $40. They're well worth it.

JR

 

[Paul@PKAUTODESIGN]

Its happened to us here at the shop before.

 

[Kong76]

I just went through this. Had to pound a 21 mm on to get them all off. Even had to pound them out one by one with a hammer. Completely flattened the cheap ass oem lugs heads. Immediately went to CJpony and bought the gorilla oem buldge style. Just switched back to my stock wheels until summer decides to show up here in Ca and the new lugs worked great.

 

[CrazedAntelope]

Yeah there OEM lugs are super soft. I got some $25 ones from American muscle and they hold up much better.

 

[Synyster06Gates]

I had a similar issue - but noticed it only after a shop used a 21mm socket. Prior to that, my 13/16 was a PERFECT fit. Now I have to force a 21mm on - but it work. It just ever so slightly distorted the splines

 

[kz]

Yeah there OEM lugs are super soft. I got some $25 ones from American muscle and they hold up much better.

I did exactly same thing.

 

[Mr981]

I did exactly same thing.

I ordered the same set;expecting them in a few days.
I'm still amazed an established car company would put this kind of crap on one of their products. This is something I'd expect on a Chinese car.

 

[zxd9]

I rounded one of mine a couple weeks ago. Bought some replacements and went to Ford to have them remove the bad one. They did it for free and admitted it is an issue and Ford is aware of it. However, they haven't officially acknowledged it.

 

[69mach1-395]

Sounds like a warranty issue?

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