Lug Nuts retaining water?

[FTBronco9]

Went to get my tires rotated at Americas Tire a couple weeks ago and the guy was telling me that there’s a problem with Fords lug nuts. That because of the seam around the outside, water is able to seep in which will allow the nuts to expand or retract on the stud. Which could cause them to seize up or strip with heat. He said that it’s a known thing and there’s already litigation surrounding it. I found out the case was dismissed earlier this year but I’m wondering if there could be something to this. Anyone else heard of it or think it could be a problem?

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[Bearcat1]

Change them all now, or you will have an issue eventually with the swelling. I have 3 other ford's all the same thing. Got stranded with a flat on my 2017 Expedition because of these cheap$+:#!? Lugnuts Ford uses. Just change em out, but don't buy the replacements from Ford.

 

[0ne]

Jeezus, we have to worry and obsess about the friggin lug nuts too?

 

[Boreal]

The lugs on our 2012 explorer are swollen. It’ll probably happen with the Bronco too

 

[Bearcat1]

Do what ya want, just my opinion. First thing I do now with every Ford, ask your dealer techs their thoughts and how much it happens. Just a bad design Ford won't let go of.
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/black-lug-nuts-size-and-style-for-bronco.32524/

 

[projectbadlands]

Used to be a Ford tech and yes, they will expand and round off. I would suggest replacing them now instead of when you need to change them out and you are stuck on the side of the road with a flat. A nice locking set can be found for less than $100 online. Even at your local tire shop maybe.

 

[Johnny Mo]

1000000% an issue - had them on my Fusion a well. Ford would not warranty replace them and would only replace them in service dept with the same shit design. Went with aftermarket one piece lugs instead.

 

[flip]

I'm not sure Bronco has the two piece nut like the ones that have this issue.

 

[Bearcat1]

My Bronco had two piece, 2022 BD.
Not sure if different materials or not, but still two piece design.

 

[FTBronco9]

I'm not sure Bronco has the two piece nut like the ones that have this issue.

Mine do. 21 OBX

 

[Headsong]

WTF???????????
It's always something. Now I wonder if my replacements suck as well? (Not Ford)

 

[Bearcat1]

Chuckle, I am going to bow out of this thread. I am very happy with my Bronco overall, most fun vehicle I have owned. The oil stick thing kind of pisses me off, but that is about it. I planned on changing the lug nuts before I even ordered it knowing it was probably an issue as I currently own 3 other Ford's with the same lug nuts. I just was answering the ops question, but seems like every thread of this forum becomes a bitch session and I don't want to add to this one. Good luck, cheap $100 insurance IMO and an easy diy.

 

[Beach_Bum]

To be clear, the lug nuts don't actually "swell". They are 2-piece. They use a 21.5MM socket which is special size. What happens is standard sockets will have a slight slippage combined with the torque of an impact wrench and the top layer of the 2-piece design will be moved out of alignment of the underlying splines causing the impression that it has "swelled". In a worst case of the "swelling", the outer cap will spin freely. One will need to chisel off the outer cap to get to the underlying splines to remove the lug nut. Extra labor in the shop and they will charge you for that along with replacing with the same shit design. If you have a "swollen" lug on the trail or roadside, you are f'ed.

Best coarse of action is to buy a solid (1-piece) lug nut and replace the crap that comes from Ford.

 

[Ground_zero298]

They will swell. Worse in snow states that use salt.

 

[‘21OBX]

They are a two piece design and water could eventually infiltrate them. Not likely in on road conditions. They will corrode and swell and generally suck the older they get. Many manufacturers have used the same design for years.

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