Swollen Lug Nuts? Really!

[@davidevenson6614]

My dad just told me about this. He went to the shop and they informed him that he had swollen nuts. He asked if the could fix it or if he should go see his doctor. Good times!

[@themintoshow]

LOL!! Your dad seems like a funny guy! Kind of how I felt when they told me that also. LOL!

[@sd906238]

I almost looked down to see if both of my nuts were swollen.

[@martinswartout6215]

If the metal cap starts to spin.... take a socket that fits and place it over the end and use a big hammer to punch it onto your lug nut.... it will compress the stainless cap tight enough to then use your tool to remove the lug nut.

[@Anon1mous]

Other manufacturers do this too. Its all abut saving them a few $$$ per vehicle. Also doesn't help that shops use air tools to take them off and put them on. It quickly deforms them. Slower but better to use a tire iron to take off and put on then torque with torque wrench.

[@themintoshow]

Great point!

[@zack4892-g4m]

Too bad shops arent run by people who care. Customers just want their oil changed and tires rotated like a nascar pit crew and bosses just want to get more cars through the door while pretending to care.

[@Tk3997]

How do you think they install them at the factor, you think there's someone with a damn hand wrench gingerly torquing down every single lug on your F'ing Camry or something? Furthermore the manuals give no provisions against use of impact tools in removal of the bolts or re-installation when a proper torque limiting device is used that I've seen. They're SUPPOSED to be able to be treated like normal solid lugs, but of course they're not as anyone with experience will tell you. It's almost like having a thin, light metal casing with an air gap around a bolt that will be continuously and directly exposed to the elements along with being guaranteed to be removed and significantly re-torqued multiple times during it's expected life cycle is unbelievably stupid design or something.

[@SaxJockey]

​@@Tk3997Agreed, it was a terrible piece of engineering. Buyers rightly expect something as simple as a wheel nut (lug) should last the life of the vehicle. For someone that puts their vehicle in for frequent servicing (wheel removal/brake inspection), they might find that the tyres outlast the nuts!

[@jesusdiscipledon1499]

Look the same as my swollen Ford lug nuts. I hope no one gets hurt because of this. Those that do will be able to seek huge compensation for damages that were preventable by having 20-24 good nuts instead of 20-24 pieces of junk. It’s a small corner to cut. It will cost lives. God bless them all.

[@navyretired230]

My son's 2019 Corolla had same issue. Had to hammer on socket to get enough bite to take off luv nuts

[@jerryporter9128]

My 2003 Dodge Ram has the 2 piece also. I have new lug nuts ordered. I would suggest that anti-seize lubricant be used also.

[@Anon1mous]

No. Do not use anti seize on lug nuts. ever.

[@jerryporter9128]

I was told by a dealer to do this. I should have researched and I would have found out to never put anything on the threads of lug nuts as it can change the torque value.

[@rodgerpetrick1125]

I bought my 2017 Ford Escape new. At 45,000 miles I took it in for an oil change and tire rotation. When the service tech told me that I will need to replace all of my lug nuts I though it was a scam. When I took it to in for new tires I had already bought all new lugnuts.(one piece lugnut) When they came in to tell me the lugnuts needed peplaced I already had bought new ones. After they got the tires on they showed me a 5 gallon bucket full of junk lugnutsa. I would think car manufactures would want to use quality parts and not quantity.

[@bobhanson2111]

Rodger. I had the exact same experience at my Ford dealer on a 2015 Edge they wanted $220.00 to get the swollen lugs off and replaced with new ones made the same way as the old ones. That a total waste of money. I had them replaced for $60 using solid one piece aftermarket.

[@grjr]

This is a known problem for over a decade now and eventually they all will fail. It's not just Toyota, Ford and Chrysler do the same thing. Only solution is to replace the nuts with solid 1-piece nuts as you have.

[@Super_Sphontaine]

at 2:28 you can tell they were stuck in a socket at some point at that point they should have been replaced or the wrong type of socket was used to remove the lugnut

[@haydensanford1987]

I had to chisel my 19mm caps off of my wheel with a screwdriver. I had an 18mm deep socket in my vehicle at the time and it took them right off. If I didn't do that, I would have been stuck on the side of the road. I then replaced all 20 lugnuts with one piece lugnuts. It will never happen again. This should be addressed by all manufacturers. Leaving a family stranded on the side of the road because of this issue is horrible and should be against the law.

[@zack4892-g4m]

No need for wheel locks when every lugnut is a different size. Be glad you have a yota and not a jeep. As a tech I've had the pleasure of dealing with chrome plated lugnuts rounding off and creating a whole host of issues after and those lugnuts werent even that bad. Any brand whose nuts are not all one material will suffer from this issue, especially in the north. Once a little bit of rust can form inside.

[@GametimeSlime]

Yes this is definitely correct everytime I go to get my tires balanced I manually loosen my lugs before the drive it in because those air tools will straight destroy those aluminum plated lugs

[@clintondunham5322]

If you need a budget fix you can remove the chrome cap from all the lug nuts but it is labor intensive.

[@haydensanford1987]

Took me ten minutes with a hammer and flathead screwdriver. I couldn't believe how fast and easy it was.

[@Joseph-jt3vg]

Chrome lug nuts used to be classic good ol fashioned drop forge steel nuts with crimes pleated directly to the steel. The metallurgy was better in the both the steel and the chromium pleating process. The worst that would happen is your chrome would fade or flake off and the nut was smaller by less than 1/10000” from factory. Even after the steel pitted and expanded a little. NOW, for cost reasons, they don’t directly chrome them but use a more oxidation susceptible steel for the lug and then a piece of tin, basically, crimped/pressed around the shitty “steel” nut that’s been “chromed”. While it does prevent flaking, the expansion from the trapped moisture underneath coupled with the fact that two different metals will expand and contract at different rates… just a recipe for disaster.

[@adamjg4]

This happens more often than people think. 😢

[@themintoshow]

That's what I'm coming to understand

[@nowacurmudgeon]

Just had to go through this with my 2018 Ford Edge with 27000 miles. Got 19 off with a 1mm oversize socket. The 20th I had to use a 19mm carbide hole saw to remove the cap. Then a 19mm socket worked. There was a Ford class action lawsuit. Got dismissed because the cars were out of warranty.

[@lougaru2445]

What happened at the end could be why my snow tires came with smaller sized lug nuts!

[@airheadbit1984]

If you don't know about this and take care of it (replace all lug nuts) a flat tire could turn into a tow that cost much more than replacement lug nuts.

[@michaelmorgan659]

I did this yesterday on my Lexus RX 350. I spent a lot of money on getting tools that I needed to get it off and at the end of the day I had to take it up to discount tire have them pull it off. I thought I’d be done in an hour. Six hours later finally finished.$$$$$$

[@themintoshow]

oh damn! sorry to hear that!!! what a mess!

[@MotoCoffin2019]

It's made as an anti-impact gun. Hand tighten only.

[@kelcisolberg8680]

Yea just got new tires and replaced the lug nuts for the same issue

[@bobhanson2111]

What size impact sockets did you use on the lug you took the cap off the lug nut?

[@themintoshow]

Hi Bob, I'm really not sure. Probably was the next size up.

[@drbcrb]

Tool manufacturers now make half size sockets such as 19.5

[@ashlynwilcoxon2096]

Hey just wanted to tell you that I have a 2015 Dodge Dart I’m working on and this problem happened to me, I ended up having to take a chisel to pop a hole in the aluminum head and use vice grips to get the cap off so that I could use the original tire 19mm tire iron. But to answer your question it could be any size above it depending on how warped, I used 19,20, and 21 all on one tire🤣🤣🤣

[@bobhanson2111]

@@ashlynwilcoxon2096 That’s exactly what I wounded up doing a took my impact with socket and had no issues getting the lugs off. Thanks for your reply.

[@eugeneraczka6371]

What size are the lug nuts ?

[@albertanderson7915]

Just replaced the lug nuts on my 2017 f150 yesterday.

[@lougaru2445]

I'm pretty sure I'm having this problem with my 2015 Toyota. That's why I'm here

[@ajlorenzana7023]

This is because of the construction of the nuts

[@dumdiversaspapalbull1452]

They need to make some kind of topical cream for this.

[@themintoshow]

🤣

[@xAxMxWx]

Sad to see Toyota’s moved away from the steel nuts

[@martinswartout6215]

This is a WELL KNOWN issue with Toyota's lousy quality control! Their lug nuts really suck; they are a poor quality steel metal clad in a stainless steel jacket. AND everyone's poor practice of using "one size fits all" sockets on their power lug rachets... doesn't help the situation. I ended up replacing ALL of my lug nuts for my Tacoma with a Gorilla brand locking nuts -- now each of my lug nuts is a "specially keyed" lug nut and I bought extra lug nuts, as well as a second key. Given Toyota's brand.... you'd think that they would give you a better auto part, wouldn't you? Be careful if you choose to replace them, make certain that you order the correct part. By the way, I have a 4-way lug wrench that I always carry in each vehicle, as well as an extendable "breaker bar lug wrench" because, well, you know, you may forget to readjust your lug nuts after some mechanic has put a little too much torque on my lug nuts. Each socket has been sprayed with a bright blue paint to mark the correct socket for each vehicle... plus, always use an anti-seize compound to aid you when working with your work.

[@NotALot-xm6gz]

They should be replaced under warranty as Toyota fitted parts that were unfit for purpose.

[@thebobsmith1991]

90000 miles on my 2013 and they are telling me i have this problem too. Idk

[@themintoshow]

It's real my friend! sucks, but it's real!

[@thebobsmith1991]

@@themintoshowThank you for your response. i said to them i don't even know what you are talking about here. I read all your wonderful reviews on how helpful your service was to others having their tires repaired and now I'm being up charged $185 on new lugnuts bc mine are swollen. You should have said something before you took them off. The snotty manager stepped in and said we will replace them at no charge to ensure you're safe on the road. I said i wasn't expecting that but i am willing to pay for the tire repair and they so no. It made for a bit of a funny story later..Sorry so lengthy. Cheers

[@themintoshow]

That is so awesome they replaced them for you at no charge! Sucks you have to replace them at all but I'm glad you got them for free! The solid one I bought are starting to show some surface rust. Not happy about that!

[@thebobsmith1991]

@@themintoshow non of it makes sense. If i didn't have the flat then i would never have gone it to have it repaired. I would still be driving with the old "unsafe" lugnuts. Idk whatever! Have a great day.

[@tgxperience]

Personally I think these cheap nuts should be illegal and recalled. Ford isn't alone in using this garbage.

[@billmorris6005]

The lug nuts are not swollen. The manufacturer takes a lug nut then wraps them in a shiny thin piece of metal which gives them a finished appearance which then changes the size. The supplied lug wrench will not fit even from day 1.

[@framusburns-hagstromiii808]

That's what I thought...as soon as they use an impact wrench on those nuts, they deform a bit. Faulty design from day 1. Should be a class action lawsuit against every manufacturer who did/does this. Have the same problem with my 2012 Highlander and I'm pissed.

[@2ubetty]

I have a 2014 Sequoia @80k miles and got a $698 quote from the stealership to replace.

[@themintoshow]

Holy moly! That's crazy expensive! Sorry they did that to you!

[@kenrivers9757]

Damn tell them you need the lugs not the RIMS replaced 😂😂🤣🤣😅😅😆😆😆

[@CaliGoober]

Ford and Chevy use these “2-piece” lug nuts too. Total garbage. Even if you use the correct socket and proper torque setting, the will distort over time and stress. Most common on the bigger heavy trucks needing over 130 ft lbs of torque

[@MrMnmn911]

What a sorry a$$ lame design the auto manufacturers are doing. I just had this explained to me at NTB. I never knew about this. They also informed me they would not remove and rotate my tires without agreeing to purchase new lug nuts without this lame design. They said they could certainly get these lug nuts off but they would NOT put the tires back on using these lame designed nuts.

[@kenrivers9757]

This happen to me on my 2007 expedition.

[@themintoshow]

Sorry to hear that!! seems like it's happened to a lot of different makes and models.

[@kenrivers9757]

@@themintoshow my solution was ,go to a custom rim shop and purchase the deep well lug nuts with the key. They never swell and cannot be taken off without the deep socket key. Workes great for me

[@drunkingsailor2359]

Not just on a Toyota all makers use them crap lug nuts.

[@dwaynepothier6161]

This issue just happened to me, only 1 wheel, i have never seen this. To me its all about $$$$ company's don't give a F about there customers anymore it's always ABOUT THE FLIPPING DOLLAR! cut corners all the time disposable vehicles so you purchase another one and repeat! Why can i purchase a 1932 GE fan and it works perfect and it's almost 100 years old and my store purchased fans only last a year or two?

[@rickeymorrison1821]

Run into this daily at work go buy new one's like you did best 150.00 dollar upgrade you can buy a lot cheaper than a wrecker if you have a flat in the middle of nowhere

[@smoejith9283]

Lug nuts should be one piece metal. Period. Care makers are jack wagons.

[@framusburns-hagstromiii808]

You would think Toyota would have some integrity about their build quality, but Toyota is no longer what they once were and are a shadow of their former selves. I no longer trust Any brand auto mfg because they only look at their bottom line and do not give two sh#ts about the customer. Any lawyers out there up for an industry-wide class action lawsuit?? I would sign on in a heartbeat.

[@UncleRed1999]

No. Weather has no effect on lug nuts being swollen. I’m a tech for an independent repair shop. Swelling happens from improper use of your tightening tools. Using an impact without a torque stick/over torquing has everything to do with the swelling. That’s why fords, Toyota’s, and some Chevrolet vehicles have those swells because people are cranking down on them with a bare impact wrench. Use a torque wrench or torque stick when tightening the lugs and they will usually never swell. Over time and years, even with proper torquing, that aluminum cap WILL eventually swell. But not on a 2014 That’s been kept up all its life.

[@Tk3997]

What utter nonsense. Do articulate how, exactly, it is physically possible that impacting on a metal cap within a confined space will cause that cap to grow to a size LARGER then then space confining it? Your supposed explanation is physically incoherent. The problem is that the nuts are swollen too large to get properly sized sockets onto, not that they're crushed or deformed from impact forces. Indeed one of the "solutions" is in fact to apply impact forces to crush the softer cap INTO a socket to try and get enough bite to remove it. The reality is brutally simple. There is a void space between the softer cap and the nut underneath and they're constantly exposed to the elements, furthermore the cap is thin and usually a softer metal that more easily deforms. Moisture inflation resulting in repeated freeze thaw cycles and corrosion between dissimilar metals eventually swells and de-laminates the soft exterior cap, bulging it out beyond it's original size. This isn't rocket science and similiar things can be seen in similiar constructs in a zillion different places.

[@darylkehl3031]

In the snow belt water gets in the lug nuts from behind and then freezes causing them to blow up.

[@fishwomanyvr]

swollen testes.

[@collinhopper7542]

Some luber-goober has been monkeying with your lug nuts. I have completed services on vehicles where the second tech to work on the vehicle, distorted the lug nuts, as I have been the first and third tech to work on the vehicle. It is quite unfortunate.