Lugnut Problem, Explorer/Ranger/F-150/Crown Vic users should chime in

[metroplex]

I'm running into a problem with my Ford lugnuts. I use them on my 2000 Ford Crown Vic, but they should be the same for Explorers and Rangers as well as F-150s that use Center caps.

Here is a new lugnut:

And here is the problem:

I ALWAYS torque them by hand using a torque wrench set to 100 ft-lb (dry).
Sometimes, a few of them would make a "rusty" sound when breaking them loose. I did not find any signs of rust of seizure.

Why are some of the lugnuts wearing down "abnormally" like that?

The lugnuts from my 1981 T-bird that are 24+ years old don't look half as bad as the "abnormal wear" lugnut.

 

[andrews]

They may be designed to do this as a way of seating themselves. I really don't know. I don't know of any safety issues involving Ford lug nuts.

 

[metroplex]

That's a new perspective... I did notice the "abnormally" worn lugnuts seat in more closely to the wheel/hub because the studs are more exposed at the top.

 

[andrews]

Just a guess, but perhaps they used a softer metal in order to achieve a tighter seat? Don't trust my conjecture though, maybe get a hold of someone at Ford that may actually help you. That may be hard to do.

 

[The_Jeff]

That's going on on my saturn too.

The steel wheels are crudely stamped, drilled, and finished. There's a ridge that basically cuts into the lugnut as you noticed.

I swapped alloys from a spare car and their (same part) hardened, tapered lugnuts were in pristine shape. So I moved the lugnuts too. Naturally the junky 10-year old lugnuts stayed with the steel wheels, a "matched set." I'd say they look like the "normal wear" photo.

My snow tires that I'm running now are on seperate steel wheels that I assume are cutting into my lugnuts as we speak.

Now I'm concerned that the nice shiny mating surface that fit my alloys so well is less perfect and will dig up my alloys next summer. I could always buy another set of lugnuts, I know... But it bugs me, because if they cut into the aluminum, they're loosening as well. I know everything but the ridge is enough to hold the wheel... but I like 100%.

Am sure I'm just being obsessive compulsive but it bugs me too.

 

[02supercrew]

The 97-03 F-150s all use a different style lug nut than the one shown.

When's the last time your torque wrench has been calibrated?

I've removed thousands and thousands of tires in my day, IMO, your problem is a problem of overtightening.

One countertop-commando with a air wrench can cause this with just one try.

I'd like to see a picture of the rim holes, I bet that they are disfigured as well.

 

[1sttruck]

I've pretty much replaced all of the lug nuts on a 93 Taurus with newer ones that look like the ones shown but without the flange. They are evidently designed for alloy wheels as they have more taper on the nut, to reduce pressure I guess. The 99 Taurus uses the same lug nut as it has alloy wheels, while the 93 has steel wheels. I don't recall seeing any like you've shown, but would worry more about the wheel as opposed to the nut. I torque to 90 to 100 ft lbs to, using a beam type wrnch as they're easier to keep calibrated, but I also use a small amount of anti-seize to keep the studs and nuts from rusting.

 

[SKUNKY]

For years and years I've been applying a little antiseize on the end of the nut just for the above reason..I've yet to have a wheel fall off..just my .025 cents worth(inflation)

 

[metroplex]

I have 3 different torque wrenches, all are relatively new.

All 8 of my steel wheels are "brand new", never been touched by an impact wrench.

All of my lug nuts were purchased new in sealed Ford bags.

I've only and always torqued my lugnuts on every car in our garage using my torque wrench and the Crown Vic is the only one that shows these weird wear marks on the lugnuts.

 

[TheLoneRanger]

Metro, that's not 'normal' wear. It looks like they were torqued too much at one time, or as was mentioned, maybe the lugs are of a softer than specified steel.

Are these used with alloy wheels? If so, inspect the lug seats in the wheels. Ford alloys have a steel insert that the lugnut seats into, and that may be the cause.......? Maybe the insert is missing???

 

[metroplex]

Actually I'm using steel wheels. I do have alloys on another Ford and I noticed that the alloy wheels do not "bite" into the lugnuts. There's a compression fit so to speak... As you torque the lugnuts, the tapered acorn compresses against a matching taper.

On my steel wheels, there's no such taper on the wheel (not much at least) and it causes a lip/ring to wear into the lugnut. The only problem is that my 81 T-bird w/ 1981 lugnuts are in much better shape than these 2004 truck lugnuts.

I'm wondering if this is a common problem on the vehicles I mentioned or if my wheels are too hard??? I'm using all OE Ford stuff.

 

[1sttruck]

Perhaps the chamfer/taper on the Crown Vic is small compared to the others. If you determine the chamfer angle you might be able to find a bit to clean it up a bit.

 

[metroplex]

Sort of like recrowning a muzzle?

 

[1sttruck]

Yeah, but with a wheel you'd need to make sure that it doesn't get too thin, while with a muzzle you'd only have to worry about the ATF if you went too far :^)

 

[luvs2drive]

On my old Ford Contour I had similar lug nuts on my alloy rims. When I used them just once on my steel winters, I ended up with the same issue you are having. My solution was to buy new lug nuts for the alloys ONLY. I've never torqued past 80ft-lbs and always used anti-seize. This made no difference whatsoever.
Now, on my Nissan.... I don't run itno this problem.