I went to a tire store today to buy a couple of tires and when the tech came back out after putting on my new tires he said he had a hard time getting my lug nuts off and that they are swollen.He told me over time the caps break off the ends and the lug nuts get water in them and swell making them hard to get off.He also told me I need to but 20 new lugs nuts from the dealer or on e bay because all my lug nuts were hard to get off.But only 2 lug nuts on my truck have broke off end caps.I did find a set of factory oem lug nuts for my truck on e bay for 30 bucks or so.Is this guy bsing me?anyone ever hear of this?

 

Good one. BS. Buy the solid lug nuts, not the ones with the tin covers.

 

they swell, its common. I have a 22.5mm socket in my box just for this purpose. either buy a 22.5 socket and keep it in the vehicle or replace the lug nuts that are swollen. If the lug nuts are exposed, you need an enclosed lug nut....if they are covered by a hub cap...you can get an open nut. if you go aftermarket...make sure the new nuts fit the vehicle lug wrench.

 

Gorillas FTW

 

Yes. If you live in a climate where vehicles are prone to rust it is very common. IMO the steel nuts corrode and rust beneath the decorative nut cap which may be an aluminium or stainless steel compound. The rust causes the decorative cap to swell and eventually to a point where the socket will no longer fit.

 

I put Mcguards on mine. They don't cost that much more than the stock nuts but are 1 piece.

 

I call BS. Use never-seize on the threads and buy solid lug nuts and you will be fine.


This maybe true with the lug nuts with covers. but not the solid lugs.

 

fca or any oem manufacturer recommend against the use of anti seize, lubricant, grease on any wheel stud.
i speculate it's due to over torquing or maybe cause the loss of a wheel.

 

Trick is not to go overboard, a little goes along way. It doesn't need to be completely coated, just a tad on the threads.

 

I seen/read some funny discussions on this topic...here's one post
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grg88 replied the topic: Anti-seize on lug nuts?
The factory and I have very different goals:


* The factory doesn't want the wheels to come off.

* I want me and my sister to be able to get the lugs off.


BTW just one data point: I've been putting on anti-seize for 29 yrs now and never found a loose lug nut.

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