OK this is interesting (maybe) Found a screw in my tire and went to a local tire shop to get it fixed. They tech was asking me about my truck and said they are seeing issues where after a year or so the lug nuts "swell" to where they have to use a hammer to get them off. He claims mine felt a bit snug like they are starting to go bad.

Anyone hear of this issue?

It wasn't a sales pitch as I first thought. As I was leaving I asked about replacement lugs and what he recommended. He said the only option is a new set of factory lugs which will do the same thing in time!! If he conveniently offered me a set he happened to sell I'd call BS but he didn't so......

What do you guys think?

 

i work in a tire shop and he is right and wrong, lug nuts can swell but its not a guarantee that they will, however they do not need replaced all they need to do is use a slightly bigger socket to impact them off and on

 

Mine have issues as well. The tire shops said that they are a cheap lug nut that is not solid but have a cladding over them. If the tire shop uses the wrong socket on them (bigger than they should), the cladding on the edges start to round so the next time, the socket fits tighter until they have a real hard time fitting. They had a term for them but I can't recall it.

 

Cladding has been used on lug nuts for decades. I use to have to use a smaller socket on ones that the cladding was loose. Then you used a smaller socket and ran it over the cladding until it came off all the way. Then you used the proper size to remove the nut. Hell I was doing that on late 60s and 70s cars.

 

He did tell me they were clad. Intersting idea about rounding them and causing the problem?? So far he is the only one to remove any lugs since the truck was built, I bought it new 9 months ago

 

If he used a metric socket that's the issue. 4th gen trucks use a 7/8" socket.

 

I always use a 5 sided socket and I never had a problem. I had my tires rotated at the dealer and the next time I removed a wheel my socket hardly fit. I looked close and the mechanic at the dealer apparently used a 8 sided socket and bent the cladding on the nut causing it to hardly fit my socket.

 

Bet you hit the nail on the head. Improper socket.

 

If clad, the lugnuts do swell due to the rusting in between the clad cover and the mild steel lugnut.
I`ve removed millions of swelled clad nuts over the years... and your tire techs need to be smarter than what he`s workin on.

 

5 sided socket...??? I think you meen 6 sided (???)