Most lug nuts are one piece of hardened steel, but Ford chose a design that puts an aluminum cap over a steel core. The cap is notorious for swelling and delaminating when it gets hot. A 2017 class-action lawsuit accused Ford of cost-cutting when switching to the two-piece design.
Do Ford lug nuts swell up?
The lug nuts on the Ford Fusion are known to swell to greater than their original size. When these lug nuts swell, the lug nut wrench will no longer fit, so they must be drilled or extracted. The lug nuts swell when they have been tightened too tight.
Is there a recall on Ford lug nuts?
There are No Lug Nut Recalls on Ford Vehicles —Yet While there aren’t any recalls, there have been a growing number of lug nut-related complaints regarding swelling and distorting, several of which have resulted in lawsuits being filed.
Is there a problem with Ford lug nuts?
Critics asserted that the caps of the lug nuts were prone to swell and change shape, making them hard to remove for regular maintenance or wheel and tire replacement. Plaintiffs in the suit against Ford, filed in 2017, alleged that vehicles with ‘ swollen and delaminated’ lug nuts ‘cannot be safely driven.’
How do you stop a lug nut from swelling?
You can eliminate the possibility of swollen lug nuts by paying a little extra for chrome-plated or stainless steel nuts. Those shiny finishes replace the caps that are attached to most nuts, but they cost more.
How does a lug nut swell?
It claims that the lug nuts can swell and delaminate after changes in temperature and exposure to moisture. Vehicle owners then have to try (and apparently fail) to remove the swollen lug nuts with a lug wrench supplied with the Ford vehicles.
What is the wheel bolt pattern on a Ford?
When it comes to Ford wheels (including Mercury and Lincoln), it also comes down to two common five lug bolt patterns, 5×4-1/2 and 5×5-1/2, although Ford did produce a few passenger cars with 5×5-inch bolt pattern.
Can lug nuts go bad?
Most people never assume that these hard steel components can go bad or wear out and in most cases, they would be correct. The most common cause of a bad or failing wheel stud is due to improper installation by tire service technicians, over torquing of lug nuts, or lug nuts that are not tight enough.
Do wheel nuts swell?
In short, Yes. Swelling occurs due to corrosion and moisture getting trapped between the cover and the metal lug. The condition makes it challenging for the standard impact socket to fit when removing the wheel. A swollen lug nut is a common issue in the automotive industry.
Should lug nuts be replaced?
Lug nuts must be torqued to the manufacturer’s recommended values, and they must be re-torqued to those values after driving approximately 50 to 100 miles on your new tires after the tire service. Both under and over tightening can be dangerous.
How much does a lug nut cost?
Lug nut cost can range anywhere from less than $5 up to $100 per piece depending on the material and brand of the lug nut.
How many lug nuts are on a standard car wheel?
At personal cars, 3 to 5 lug nuts are standard; at light and heavy trucks a higher number occurs.
What size lug nuts are on a Ford F150?
The Ford F150 lug nut socket size is 19mm.
Swollen Lug Nuts Are Costing Ford Drivers Time and Money, Lawsuit Claims
Hagens Berman & Co. According to a case filed recently by the law firm Hagens Berman, two-piece lug nuts on the wheels of millions of Ford automobiles can become bloated and nearly hard to remove with a regular lug wrench, despite their attractive appearance. Because it specializes in automobile lawsuits, you may recognize the name of that law company as being familiar. Some of its recent litigation have featured charges that Ford Shelby GT350s overheated while being used on the track, and that General Motors used defeat devices in its diesel vehicles, similar to those used by Volkswagen.
Rather of being manufactured entirely of steel, it is believed that the lug nuts were instead constructed with a steel core and a chrome, aluminum, or stainless steel cover to match the vehicle’s wheels.
Ford car owners must then attempt (and, according to reports, fail) to remove the enlarged lug nuts using the lug wrench that was provided with the Ford automobiles.
Hagens Berman & Co.
- There are hundreds more identical, anonymous remarks in the 200-page dossier, which comes from Ford owner forums as well as complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- Replacement of the faulty lug nuts, according to Hagens Berman, can cost buyers anywhere from $80 to $120, not adding labor costs.
- ‘Ford opted to manufacture its lug nuts with a substandard design that prioritized beauty over customer safety, resulting in direct injury to consumers.’ A Ford spokesperson stated in an email that the company is unable to comment on ongoing lawsuits.
- Plaintiffs from seven states have joined the claim, which is seeking nationwide class-action status.
- As a result of Ford’s headquarters being in Dearborn, Michigan, the complaint was brought in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
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The Curious Case of Ford’s Swollen Lug Nuts
- When it gets heated, the cap is prone to swelling and delaminating, which is a common occurrence. Moreover, it is an excellent spot to collect moisture and accelerate rusting. What was the ultimate result? A lug nut that is either too large to be removed with a regular wrench or fused together so tightly that it requires a drill, a welding torch, and seven Hail Marys to be removed. Ford was accused of cost-cutting when it switched to the two-piece design, according to a 2017 class-action complaint. It further stated that while the carmaker is aware of the issues, it will not respect its promise by dismissing any lug nut-related claims under its warranty. … Continue reading ‘The Swollen Lug Nuts Lawsuit Against Ford Has Been Dismissed’ for more information.
Ford wants the lug nut lawsuit tossed because’the plaintiffs never allege the swollen lug nuts have ever caused physical injuries to any person or damage to any property.’
- Ford further contends that the plaintiffs make assertions regarding swelling lug nuts as if the lug nuts should be indestructible and the warranties should be indefinite, and then ‘try to portray their product-defect complaints as warranty, fraud, and unjust-enrichment claims,’ which Ford believes is incorrect. Should lug nuts be expected to endure indefinitely? Without a doubt, this is not the case. However, they should not fuse together to form anything harder than a diamond after 10,000 miles on the highway. … Continue reading the article ‘According to Ford Attorneys, the Lug Nut Lawsuit Is Without Basis’
Ford has been sued for switching to a 2-piece lug nut design that features an aluminum cap.
- It expands when exposed to heat and humidity, and it also fractures and delaminates when exposed to moisture, which causes corrosion. Owners and lessees who have flat tires are frequently left stranded on the side of the road because even tow truck workers are unable to remove the bloated lug nuts from their vehicles. Having to have the lug nuts removed and the tire replaced will need a tow to the mechanic’s facility. They are less expensive than one-piece stainless plugs, but they appear nicer because of the cap on the end of the two-piece capped lug nut. When purchasing a vehicle, most owners don’t give a second thought to the lug nut, only to be confronted with this problem down the road. Continue reading ‘Ford Sued for Using Two-Piece Lug Nuts That Swell’ for more information.
Swollen Lug Nuts: How To Fix & Spot (5 Pro Tips)
It’s possible that you’ve heard someone complain about bloated lug nuts on their automobile. You may be wondering if lug nuts can actually ‘swell,’ and if so, how can you prevent your lug nuts from being swollen. After all, I had the same question as you, and I was surprised to hear that swelling lug nuts may be a serious and perhaps life-threatening problem if they occur on your vehicle. This page provides information on how lug nuts swell, which vehicles are most susceptible to swollen lug nuts, and how to prevent or correct the problem if it occurs.
One of numerous complaints against Ford onrepair palabout bloated lug nuts has been lodged with the company.
What exactly happens when a lug nut swells?
‘Two-piece’ or ‘chrome-plated’ lug nuts (the shiny-looking lug nuts) are those that swell when corrosion occurs between the two layers of different metals, and are widely known as ‘two-piece’ lug nuts or ‘chrome-plated’ lug nuts. This might result in the incorrect socket for your lug nuts no longer fitting, which can result in changing a spare tire on the side of the road being a potentially disastrous or costly repair. Many late-model Fords, Dodges, Chryslers, and Toyotas have swollen lug nuts, and this is a common problem (as well as many other brands and makes).
To remove the lug nuts, locate the largest socket that can fit the lug nuts (swollen lug nut sockets are now a thing) and remove them before replacing them with higher quality lug nuts.
If you’re trying to replace your tire on the side of the road and your tire lug nut wrench in the trunk doesn’t fit your lug nuts, you may be dealing with swollen lug nuts, which is a dangerous situation.
Remove the rusted lug nuts as soon as possible and replace them with a higher-quality lug nut that will not swell.
Here’s how a legal firm that specializes in General Motors bloated lug nuts explains the problem: ‘The root of this fault is the materials that GM decided to utilize in the manufacture of its lug nuts on Chevy vehicles and trucks.’ The lug nuts used by General Motors have an asteel core with an aluminum covering.
Owners of Chevrolet automobiles have complained that the lug nuts on their vehicles have warped, swelled, and became too large to fit in a lug nut wrench, even after only a short time of ownership.’ Source.
Does Your Car Have Swollen Lug Nuts:
The quickest and most convenient method is to contact your dealership and provide them with your VIN number. Inquire as to whether your vehicle is equipped with chrome-plated lug nuts and whether there have been any reports of lug nuts swelling. Inquire as to whether they will take care of the problem for you or whether it is covered by warranty. In the event you urge them, they may be willing to replace all of the lug nuts at no charge (a service that would otherwise cost upwards of a several hundred dollars).
- Fusion, Escape, Flex, Focus, F-150, Mustangs, and F-350 trucks are just a few of the Ford models that have a negative reputation from around 2010 to about 2015, including the F-350 truck.
- This problem has been reported in Jeeps, Chryslers, Toyotas, Chevrolets, and maybe even some Hondas.
- Swollen lug nuts can occur in any vehicle equipped with chrome-plated lug nuts, which were most typically introduced in 2010 and beyond.
- Another case has been filed against Chevrolet for the same reason.
Lug Nut Swelling Explained:
The quickest and most straightforward method is to contact your dealership and provide them with your VIN. Inquire as to whether your vehicle is equipped with chrome-plated lug nuts, and whether there have been any reports of lug nuts expanding. Whether they will take care of the problem for you or whether the problem is covered by the warranty is something to inquire about. The company may agree to replace all of the lug nuts at no charge if you urge them to do so. This might cost upwards of a couple hundred dollars at a repair shop.
- Fusion, Escape, Flex, Focus, F-150, Mustangs, and F-350 trucks are just a few of the Ford models that have a negative reputation from 2010 to 2015 or so.
- This problem has been reported in Jeeps, Chryslers, Toyotas, Chevrolets, and even some Hondas.
- Swollen lug nuts can occur in any vehicle equipped with chrome-plated lug nuts, which were most frequently introduced in 2010 and forward.
- For the same reason, here is another another case against Chevrolet.
How to Remove Swollen Lug Nuts:
Look, how badly your lug nuts are swollen is directly proportional to the severity of the problem. The best case scenario is that you can either hammer on the right socket size for your lug nuts (it may be a bit too tight to easily slip on), or you can remove them with an impact wrench or breaker bar (the latter being the preferred method). This will cause damage to both the lug nut and, in certain cases, the socket you are currently using. Make certain you replace the lug nuts as soon as possible after removing them in this manner, and only use a socket that you are comfortable with possibly breaking.
- A set of impact sockets and an impact wrench (either air or cordless) are the finest equipment to have on hand if you want to remove them.
- These were created expressly for the purpose of removing swelling lug nuts from automobiles and trucks (since oftentimes the best fitting socket is between two sizes).
- It’s very effective on swelling Ford lug nuts.
- Grab this 22mm/22.5mm flip socket for your Dodge 16′′ – 17′′ aluminum wheels.
- Here is a set of three 5mm sockets that are all the same size.
- Because 5mm sockets fit the lug nuts correctly and will remove them (even if they are swollen), they are a good choice.
Instead of having to hammer on a smaller socket and then hammer out the lug nut through the socket, you may hammer out the lug nut via the socket (therefore saving you tons of time).
Rounded Off Swollen Lug Nuts?
If the lug nuts have already been super rounded off (because you attempted to remove them and failed), you will want a set of these damaged lug nut removers to complete the job. They are inexpensive and truly perform admirably. You just hammer them onto the rounded off lug nut and then remove them with an impact wrench or breaker bar, depending on your preference. They will cause damage to the lug nut (which should already be damaged if you’re using them to remove it), as well as to the wheel.
The greatest set on Amazon is right here, and it’s at a fantastic price, too!
Related Questions:
The brand Gorilla, which sells lug nuts that are guaranteed not to swell, is favored by many customers. If you want to look for Gorilla lug nuts on Amazon, here is a simple search result; just make sure to choose the suitable size for your car or truck. I strongly advise you to call your dealership first and inquire as to whether your car is equipped with the lug nuts that are known to swell and whether they would repair them under warranty.
How much will a shop charge change out your lug nuts?
It can cost anything from $50 to $300 to complete the job with all of the necessary materials and labor. If you identify a lug nut problem early on, before they begin to swell, you may save money and time on the repairs. Simply replace them with lug nuts of the best quality that will not swell before they become an issue.
My lug nut wrench won’t fit my lug nuts, I am pretty sure it came with the car, what gives?
A socket set that will fit on the damaged lug nuts is essential since they are more than likely damaged owing to rust and corrosion as well as bad engineering, so buy one to replace the damaged lug nuts as soon as possible. If the tire wrench in the trunk does not fit, don’t try to remove them on your own. If you round off the lug nuts, you may cause extra damage and/or an expensive repair if the vehicle has to be repaired. You should call a tow truck driver or a professional if your tire iron or lug nut wrench is not square and straight when you try to tighten the lug nut yourself.
5 Pro Tips for Swollen Lug Nuts:
- Take them out before they become an issue
- Make contact with your car dealership and inquire about warranty protection. Make use of a socket set to do so. 5mm increments were created for swelling lug nuts in order to make removing them significantly easier and faster
- You should remove any swelling lug nuts from your vehicle if you are on the side of the road
- However, you should replace them promptly. Always seek expert assistance if you suspect your lug nuts are bloated and you do not feel confidence in your ability to remove them. It will save you more money than removing them after they have been rounded off, and it will cost you far more to remove them.
We’re in a lug-nut dispute with our Ford dealer
Q.My son acquired a 2014 Ford Fusion about a year ago now. When we took the car in for its 30,000-mile service, the mechanic discovered that the lug nuts on the wheels were swelled in 11 places. I had never heard of such a thing before, so I went online and searched for ‘swollen lug-nuts,’ only to discover that there is a massive class action lawsuit now underway. I phoned the Ford dealership and spoke with the service manager, explaining that I had identified the problem. He informed me that I would still be responsible for payment.
- I ended up paying for lug-nuts that might potentially leave us stranded if we have a flat tire, because the nuts are extremely difficult to remove from the tire.
- My son is just 24 years old.
- What can we do to combat this situation?
- Eventually, water accumulates beneath the cap and rust causes the lug-nut to expand, making it impossible to release.
- A brief search on the internet revealed 20 solid chrome plated lug-nuts that would suit your automobile for $20 – a cheap and straightforward answer to your problem.
- A.There are two simple techniques for determining whether or not your car has been recalled.
- After that, you’ll need to input your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number into the system.
Q.My daughter owns a 2008 Subaru Outback, and she just notified me that the airbag in the vehicle had been recalled.
One of my concerns is whether or not she is required to pay for such a recall.
It is not necessary to pay for the recall of the airbag in question.
To do so, she only has to contact her local Subaru dealership and inform them that she has been alerted of an airbag recall.
Q.I purchased my beautiful 2017 Honda Accord from a pre-owned dealer.
I phoned four separate Honda dealerships and received four different responses as to what service should be performed at 30,000 miles.
A.Honda automobiles are particularly unique in that the vehicle really informs the driver of the work that has to be done.
The code A indicates that it is time to change the oil and filter.
In addition, there are maintenance-sub-items; a code 1 indicates that the tires should be rotated, and a code 2 indicates that the engine, air, and cabin filters should be replaced.
Q.My 2013 Honda CR-V has a harsh ride when traveling between 20 and 25 miles per hour.
Although I’ve had a couple of mechanics look at it, no one has been able to pinpoint the problem.
A.
The torque converter must be replaced, the transmission fluid must be flushed, and the computer must be updated during the repair.
In the event that it were my car, and I was just planning on keeping it for another 12 months, I would simply put up with the vibration.
John Paul works as the Car Doctor for AAA Northeast. He has more than 40 years of expertise in the automobile industry and is a Master Technician accredited by the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Send an e-mail to with your automobile inquiry.
Ford lug nut swelling problem
Owners of Ford vehicles that had their tires rotated suffered lug nut swelling beginning with the 2000 model year and continuing through the 2015 model year. The issue entailed corrosion between a steel lug nut and an aluminum chromed overlay ornamental cover, which was the source of the problem. Water can enter the space between the two metal parts, generating swelling, also known as rust jacking, which resulted in the swelling being caused by the water entering. Once the lug nuts had expanded, it proved impossible to remove them.
It is possible that the Ford lug nut swelling problem will prohibit a user or technician from correctly tightening the lug nuts, which might result in the wheel falling off.
Vehicles affected by the Ford lug nut swelling problem
The two-piece lug nuts were used on the Ford Focus, Ford Fusion, Ford Escape, Ford F150, Ford C-Max, Ford Expedition, and Ford F350.
Removing the swollen Ford lug nut is tedious
When attempting to remove a bloated Ford lug nut, the shop may use a bigger socket or a special extraction socket to achieve success. Although it is possible to use hammer and chisel to shatter and then peel away the ornamental chrome overlay, this is not always possible in many circumstances. The only solution is to replace the bloated lug nuts with one-piece designs that are more durable. The bloated lug nuts must be removed and replaced with either a comparable two-piece design (which will fail again) or a single-piece type lug nub.
You will pay around $220 for the replacement components when you have the bloated lug nuts removed and replaced with authentic Ford ones.
Ford lug nut swelling lawsuit
It was discovered that the lug nut issue had affected so many vehicles that a class action lawsuit against Ford was filed in 2017. The lawsuit claimed that the affected vehicles were unsafe because of a defective design that resulted in the inability to remove the lug nuts. Ford was found to be at fault in the lawsuit. Ford responded to the lawsuit by claiming that the problem was not caused by the lug nut design, but rather by the owner and shop using the incorrect sized wrenches, high powered impact wrenches, and improperly calibrated torque wrenches, which resulted in the lug nuts being installed too tightly.
Overtightening the lug nuts with hand or power tools, according to Ford, can cause the chrome covers to mushroom.
It is likely that if they attempt to remove the lug nut with the right size socket, they will further damage the cap, making removal very difficult.
The Plaintiffs’ stance is that while they do not expect lug nuts to survive indefinitely, they believe that they should not fail so quickly. Ford adopted the two-piece design in order to save money on production.
Judge dismisses the lawsuit
Judge Stephen Murphy of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed the lawsuit 2:17-cv-12794 against Ford. As a result of his decision to dismiss the case, the Judge found that the plaintiffs were unlikely to succeed at trial. A Ford express warranty, which stated that the company would ‘repair, replace, or adjust all parts on the vehicle that malfunction or fail during normal use during the applicable coverage period,’ was used to support the decision. The vehicle must be operated and maintained properly, and it must have been taken to a Ford dealership for a warranted repair during the warranty period.
ECF 14-14, PgID 1131–32.
In light of the warranty duration and the date of the plaintiff’s asserted loss, it seems that the damage they suffered occurred after the manufacturer warranty period had expired.
According to existing case law, in order for a repair-or-replace remedy to fail its basic purpose, the customer must offer the manufacturer a chance to repair or replace the alleged defect throughout the warranty term, which the Judge explained further: In other words, the plaintiffs were beyond the warranty period when they filed their lawsuit.
What to do if you have Ford swollen lug nuts
For removal of the swollen lug nuts, either use an extra-large SAE or metric socket, or an extraction tool for lug nut removal, or use a hammer and chisel to break off the acorn cap and then peel off the aluminum cladding off the lug nuts. Then install a set of single piece chromed acorn type lug nuts in lieu of the stock lug nuts. The year is 2019. Rick Muscoplat is a professional musician. Rick Muscoplat posted a blog entry on
Surprise, surprise – swollen lug nut lawsuit dismissed
Recently, a proposed class-action lawsuit against Ford was rejected by a federal judge over the lug nuts that the company used on some of its vehicles. Two components are used to assemble the Ford lug nuts, and the complaint claimed that the two-piece design was faulty and potentially hazardous. Those who were critical of the two-piece Ford lug nuts said that the lug nuts’ tops were prone to swelling and altering form over time. Because of the swelling, they were difficult to remove for routine maintenance, such as wheel and tire replacement.
- However, the court overseeing the case dismissed the lawsuit, stating that the plaintiffs had failed to provide sufficient facts or legally viable claims to support their claims.
- Ford service departments are still engaged in litigation with regard to the lug nuts despite the fact that the action against Ford was dismissed.
- Ford lug nuts with the two-piece form were used on vehicles and trucks from the 2000 model year through the 2015 model year.
- Ford attributed the problem on the use of incorrect tools.
- There have been no complaints from certain Ford dealers about the lug nuts at the focus of the dismissed lawsuit.
Several Ford dealers have pointed out that Ford isn’t the only carmaker to adopt that particular style. Some owners of older Ford cars powered by Duratec V6 engines and equipped with internal water pumps have launched a lawsuit against the automaker.
r/fordescape – Ford swollen lug nuts
I am the proud owner of a Ford Escape 2014 SE. I was at my Ford/Lincoln dealership for 6-month maintenance when I was advised that all of the lug nuts on my car were swollen and that they would need to be replaced at a cost of $240 plus taxes. They informed me that I had no option since they would not be able to put the tires back on. I had never heard of something like this before, so I put my confidence in the business. To be completely honest, I couldn’t picture the problem. When I returned home, I did some research and learned that high-quality replacement lug nuts are available on Amazon for $20-$40 (for a box of 20; the whole lot!).
When the caps expand, break, and delaminate, the lug nuts are unable to be removed with the lug wrench that was given by Ford.
Having to have the lug nuts removed and the tire replaced will need a tow to the mechanic’s facility.
An attempted class-action lawsuit was rejected because there were not ‘enough’ plaintiffs, and the subject was thrown out of court.
- File a formal complaint with a) Ford Company, b) your Ford dealership, so that this issue is documented and may be addressed again by them
- By voting on this article or sharing it elsewhere, we may increase the likelihood of a new class-action lawsuit being filed for the benefit of current and future Ford owners, as well as public safety, customer experience, both financially and emotionally
- Spend $20-$40 (for a pack of 20) on a set of high-quality one-piece lug nuts of your choosing from Amazon, and change them every year or two, depending on how often you drive and in what weather conditions
Dealing With Swelled Lug Nuts
An increasing number of automobiles manufactured over the past 20 years have a two-piece nut with a chrome cap over the steel lug nut. This is known as a two-piece nut. These look great on a decent set of alloy wheels when they’re shown on a new vehicle lot. It is possible that the lug nuts will enlarge in as little as three years and become difficult to remove. An increasing number of automobiles manufactured over the past 20 years have a two-piece nut with a chrome cap over the steel lug nut.
- These look great on a decent set of alloy wheels when they’re shown on a new vehicle lot.
- More information is available by clicking here.
- The corrosion that results causes the cap to enlarge and the outer diameter of the nut to alter.
- For a technician, this might entail more time and additional equipment to remove the lug nut from the vehicle.
- The most common rookie error is to reach for the next larger size socket and use an impact wrench instead.
- Senior technicians are aware that only a small number of lug nuts are available in the 18mm, 20mm, and 22mm sizes, so if they encounter resistance when attempting to get the socket over a lug nut, they lower the impact before making the situation worse.
- A competent technician also understands the sensation of a correctly engaged nut and socket with a breaker bar, which is superior to the feel of an electric or pneumatic impact.
- Some technicians have had success utilizing 12-point sockets in the 11/16′ and 3/4′ sizes, according to their reports.
- Unfortunately, in rare cases, the lug nut becomes permanently trapped in the socket and is unable to be dislodged by hand.
You may find yourself in the worst-case scenario, where a prior technician destroyed the lug nuts with his impact and you must now deal with the consequences. In these situations, a drill bit or rotary broach bit may be the only option available to you.
Despite lawsuit dismissal, disputed Ford lug nuts continue to complicate dealership service
Even though a federal judge this year dismissed a planned class-action lawsuit alleging that the two-piece design of Ford Motor Co. lug nuts was faulty and unsafe, the company’s lug nuts continue to be a subject of debate — and anxiety for certain Ford dealership service departments. The covers of the lug nuts, according to critics, were prone to swelling and changing form, making them difficult to remove for routine maintenance or wheel and tire replacement. It was stated by plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Ford, which was filed in 2017, that vehicles with ‘swollen and delaminated’ lug nuts ‘cannot be safely driven.’ According to a January order by a U.S.
- The ruling will not be challenged in court.
- A horrible design, according to Jeremy Collins, parts and service director at Kelly Ford in Melbourne, Florida, who spoke with Fixed Ops Journal.
- Ford also utilized steel lug nuts on other car and truck models during that time period.
- They claim that, even in less severe conditions, removing the nuts is difficult and time-consuming, and that over-tightening a bolt can cause it to become damaged by stretching its threads.
- The lawsuit filed against Ford claimed that the company was maintaining an inferior design in order to save money on manufacturing expenses.
- The carmaker attributes the difficulties to the inappropriate use of equipment, particularly incorrectly sized socket wrenches, by workers who were responsible for assembling the nuts.
- Mr.
However, he points out that some of his clients have found themselves in the position of needing to replace the lug nuts on one or more of their wheels.
Collins points out that a Ford lug nut replacement kit normally costs approximately $220, but an aftermarket kit costs between $69 and $79, depending on the manufacturer.
Trysha Maness, service consultant at Brad Manning Ford in DeKalb, Illinois, says lug nuts have not been a problem at her dealership in the past.
Working on damaged nuts may necessitate the use of larger wrenches than those provided by the manufacturer, according to Maness.
According to her, ‘it’s not just a Ford issue.’ ‘Caps like those molded to Ford lug nuts’ ‘tend to mushroom if excessive torque is applied’ when they are being fitted or removed, according to Rick Wegley, an automotive dealership consultant with NCM Associates Inc.
Excessive force used to the lug nut will compound the situation, according to Wegley, and may even cause the cap to dislodge.
In his opinion, such instruments are not as trustworthy as properly calibrated portable wrenches, which is something Morningstar stresses to his pupils.
According to him, this might involve prioritization of service.
Benton, a professor of operations and supply chain management at Ohio State University’s business department who has advised and published extensively on quality difficulties in the car industry, argues that distorted caps on lug nuts are ‘definitely’ a possible threat.
‘Ford should exercise caution in this situation,’ Benton argues. ‘There are severe safety concerns with anything that has lug nuts on it.’
Swollen Lug Nuts
Driven Products’ solid chrome lug nuts are identical to the ones I previously purchased in preparation for a new set of Michelin LTX MS/2 tires that will be fitted this coming Friday. I’m taking precautions to avoid being affected by the swollen-lug-nut problem. Thank you to @cheetah4570 for the product recommendation and connection to the website. I was debating whether or not I should purchase these lug nuts for myself. Upon further examination of the specs, I discover that they have a 13/16 inch diameter ‘The nuts are hex shaped.
I, for one, have removed all of my SAE tools from my primary kit since they were just becoming a source of clutter there.
Not that I have other people work on my vehicles, but if I called AAA for a flat tire, I would expect them to get out a 21mm wrench to change a tire on a late model f-150; this is a wonderful method to round a 13/16-inch drive shaft ‘fastener is an abbreviation for fastener.
This is the end of my rant.
Swollen Lug Nuts
It was at a local Discount Tire that I discovered the problem. They were able to remove two of the locking lugs and sold me a package of 32 locking lugs for $55 dollars. Despite the fact that I only have one key socket, I have a dozen extra nuts. These locking lugs come with a deep socket key, which looks to be considerably more durable than the little ones that came with the Ford. It was at this point that I returned the Transit to the dealer, where the same staff who had told me they couldn’t be removed were able to locate their Rotunda locking lug master key box and remove the two locking lugs in just 5 minutes.
There was no torque wrench check, and I was simply sent on my way.
Following the usage of an air impact wrench, Discount Tire employs a torque wrench.
Guess which dealer will not get my order for a 2020 with all-wheel drive (AWD)?
Swollen Lug Nuts . Really!?
As a result, my Esc a Pay was purchased and maintained only by the same dealer for 50,000 miles or more. He claims that I have swelling lug nuts today. really? The dealer will be more than delighted to replace them for $130.00 with the same exact ones if you return them within 30 days of purchase. So why would I do that if the ones that Ford gave were bloated, you might wonder. This cannot be a brand-new problem. Of course, they are saying that it is not their responsibility and that the problem is not due to a defective part but rather to normal wear and use.
In reality, Ford is willfully delivering lug nuts with cases that, when subjected to impact wrench torque, are shattering and distorting the cases, resulting in the issue.
You already know what I’m talking about.
I had to struggle for a long to get the bad Ford components out, and then surprise what? They worked! No fees were collected from me by the excellent staff of Discount Tire. Believe me when I say that this is my very last Ford vehicle ever!
Ford Swollen Lug Nuts Cause Class-Action Lawsuit
According to a lawsuit, Ford lug nuts expand and shatter, rendering the lug nut wrench ineffective.— In response to Ford swelling lug nuts, there has been a proposed class-action lawsuit. The claim argues that the lug nuts expand, break, and delaminate to the point that special equipment are required to remove them. Several Ford vehicles are being sued, including the Fusion, Escape, Flex, Focus, F-150 and F-350. According to the complaint, the inflated lug nuts are placed on these vehicles. Ford, according to the plaintiffs, instead of solid steel nuts, offers its cars with lug nuts that have a steel core and a top made of chrome, aluminum, or stainless steel that is applied to improve the appearance of the visible section of the lug nuts.
Owners and lessees who have flat tires are frequently left stranded on the side of the road because even tow truck workers are unable to remove the bloated lug nuts from their vehicles.
An illustration of a Ford lug nut that has shattered.
The plaintiffs, on the other hand, assert that they were unaware of the lug nut problems since, when new, the capped lug nut is practically identical in appearance to the one-piece stainless lug nut, especially because the steel core is not visible when the lug nut is snugged up to the wheel.
Plaintiff Robert Desotelle claims that he and other owners are obligated to pay for the replacement of the swelled and broken lug nuts, as well as the labor charges associated with removing the defective lug nuts.
Ford owners have complained about lug nut difficulties, and CarComplaints.com has received complaints from several of these customers, which are referenced in the case.
AAA had a lot of problems getting the lug nuts out, which I now remember.
The dealer stated that the lug nuts were swollen and needed to be replaced.
‘They discovered that the lug nuts (all 20 of them) were ‘swollen.’ The reason for this, according to the service representative, is due to the two incompatible metals that the lug nuts are constructed of.
Despite the fact that we have the ‘extended warranty,’ Ford does not provide any coverage.
‘The new lug nuts are identical in appearance to the old ones.” -Ford Escape owner from Tampa, Florida, since 2014.
Dealers must use specific wrenches and tools to remove failed lug nuts from automobiles when they see swelling lug nuts on the vehicle.
Some Ford dealers, however, according to the complaint, advise their clients to purchase non-Ford lug nuts since they are aware that any replacement Ford lug nuts will fail and become worthless.
The plaintiffs claim that they never anticipated to have to purchase replacement lug nuts within the first few years of owning their automobiles, yet Ford forced them to make the purchase nevertheless.
As a result, Ford is believed to have shifted its warranty duties onto its customers, compelling owners and lessees to spend hundreds of dollars on replacement lug nuts as well as labor to replace them.
The case against Ford Motor Company for swelling lug nuts was brought in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on behalf of Josh Wozniak, Angel Castaneda, Raj Chauhan, Robert Desotelle, Samantha Ellis, Donald Lycan, and David Mathias, et al.
against. Ford Motor Company. HAGENS BERMAN and the Miller Law Firm, PC are representing the plaintiffs in this case.