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‘Swollen lug nuts’ 2017 F-150

Posted on 3/17/22 at 10:59 pm
Posted by djs017
Member since Oct 2014
239 posts
Posted on 3/17/22 at 10:59 pm
Anybody have issues with lug nuts on their F-150?
It’s finally time to change brake pads and the correct size socket (or breaker bar that came with truck) won’t fit on the lug nuts. They look beat up and deformed, so I assumed it was from dealership using impact during tire rotation. I called the dealership in a fit to explain my problem and they shrugged it off saying that lug nuts swell over time and need to be replaced. After some googling I found this seems to be a somewhat common issue, but I’ve never heard about it until today. Apparently there have been some lawsuits but they went nowhere.

Was planning to haul my boat a few hours away this weekend to fish a tournament but am not going unless I get this straightened out first. Changing brake pads could probably wait but I don’t want to risk getting a flat and not be able to change it. Guess I’ll be shopping for after market lug nuts tomorrow before I start fighting the old ones to get them off.

TLDR: ford lug nuts suck so check yours before you get in a bind.
Posted by Marlo Stanfield
Member since Aug 2008
2111 posts
Posted on 3/17/22 at 11:12 pm to
Yes, very well known issue that I believe Ford was sued over a few years back. Ford won the suit and they still install those pieces of shite. I swapped mine out for solid lug nuts.
Posted by UnoMe
Here
Member since Dec 2007
5811 posts
Posted on 3/18/22 at 12:04 am to
Gas is to high to go fishing anyway save up for rice and beans
I don't drive Fords
My nuts was swollen years ago due to the mumps.
Thats about all I got
Good Luck
This post was edited on 3/18/22 at 12:06 am
Posted by armsdealer
Member since Feb 2016
11675 posts
Posted on 3/18/22 at 12:26 am to
Yes they do suck. A lot of manufactures use the same style and they all swell. It doesn't happen as bad here, but places where they salt the roads it is really bad.
Posted by Chancellor
BHam
Member since Oct 2017
2224 posts
Posted on 3/18/22 at 2:27 am to
quote:

Ford


There is your problem.

And I don't mean that in the silly Chevy vs. Ford gay pride way.

I mean Ford sucks. I have one. I bought one of the '04-'11 5.7L 3-valve V8 F-150s. $1,000 to change spark plugs because they break off and you have to drill them out. Worst engine ever made. It's been nothing but problems as long as I've had it.

That was my first Ford. It will be my last Ford. I will never, ever... EVER... own another one of their piece of shite vehicles as long as I live.
This post was edited on 3/18/22 at 2:32 am
Posted by Soul Gleaux
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2012
4043 posts
Posted on 3/18/22 at 7:41 am to
Get one of these, makes getting them off painless. The 21.5 side fits the swollen ones, the 21 side fits non defective ones. Get a set of Dorman one piece ones from Autozone to replace them and never have to worry about it again. LINK



ETA: you’ll need a 3” long 1/2” impact extension if you don’t already have one as well, to use that flippable socket.
This post was edited on 3/18/22 at 7:46 am
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
66921 posts
Posted on 3/18/22 at 7:54 am to
I'll need to hear some kind of explanation for how lug nuts "swell." Thats not something I've ever seen and I have a hard time picturing how it could happen.
Posted by Strannix
District 11
Member since Dec 2012
49530 posts
Posted on 3/18/22 at 8:01 am to
I got some swollen truck nutz baw
Posted by CottonWasKing
4,8,15,16,23,42
Member since Jun 2011
28870 posts
Posted on 3/18/22 at 8:53 am to
Had hell with mine on my old F-150 while trying to change the brakes. Broke two breaker bars. Couldn’t ever get one of the wheels off. Needed new tires anyway so I bought tires and some aftermarket lugs.

Gave the lugs to the guys at the tire shop and told them to use these to replace the stock ones.

Sat in that waiting room for almost three hours but they finally got them off.
Posted by BorrisMart
La
Member since Jul 2020
8859 posts
Posted on 3/18/22 at 9:27 am to
When I got some new tires at DT a while back they told me they were throwing in lug nuts for free bc 2015-2020 F150 lug nuts have an issue with swelling and they were doing that for anyone who came in with an f150 for those years. The best bet is to run by a tire store and get them to throw some new ones on. It sucks but apparently it is a big issue.
Posted by Crawdaddy
Slidell. The jewel of Louisiana
Member since Sep 2006
18585 posts
Posted on 3/18/22 at 9:33 am to
Yep. Bought gorilla. Lug nuts are pricy for what they are
Posted by Harlan County USA
Member since Sep 2021
614 posts
Posted on 3/18/22 at 10:51 am to
Yes. I have the same truck.

The first time I had a flat, downtown B'ham, I couldn't get the factory 21mm tire iron to fit. Called a coworker who carried me to Advance and bought a 22mm tire iron and changed the tire.

The 2nd time I had a flat, on I-85 just outside Auburn. The 22mm wouldn't fit. Had to call roadside service and two guys swinging hammers just destroyed the outer aluminum caps to get the tire irons on. I drove to the closest tire shop and bought all new lug nuts. I still have all the old nuts.

Called and emailed Ford, cussed them out, got no relief.

Posted by Cracker
in a box
Member since Nov 2009
18180 posts
Posted on 3/18/22 at 12:16 pm to
pry the chrome cover off or hammer a socket on
Posted by JoePepitone
Waffle House #1494
Member since Feb 2014
10891 posts
Posted on 3/18/22 at 3:18 pm to
I had to replace all 24 on my 2014 F-150 a couple of years ago. The only problem I had prior to that issue was an ignition pack failed on 1 cylinder.

Now one of the blend door actuators has failed. They evidently started with that part and built the entire truck around it. A $60 part takes around 7 hours to replace it. Console and dash have to come out to access it. Estimate is $1,000.
Posted by deltaland
Member since Mar 2011
92606 posts
Posted on 3/18/22 at 5:56 pm to
quote:

Swollen lug nuts


Tell your wife to stop being a tease to your truck
Posted by johnnyrocket
Ghetto once known as Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2013
9790 posts
Posted on 3/18/22 at 9:27 pm to
I had that issue on my personal F150's and the ones I bought for my business.
Nothing you can do but change them out to aftermarket ones.
Posted by AndyCBR
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Nov 2012
7699 posts
Posted on 3/20/22 at 9:27 pm to
Toyota does this same shite, my wife's 2016 Sienna has the same issue and I decided to preemptively get the Japan spec lug nuts with no liner/cover last time I rotated the rims. Tossed the OEM ones in the trash.

If you keep the vehicle long enough it will get you sooner or later. In Northern climates with salt roads, it will be sooner.

Total shite cost savings design.



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