Lug Nut Size

[navybanker]

Have 16" rims and thought they were 3/4 inch. Socket fits every nut except one. Wondering what happened to that one? Last time tires were off was when dealer replaced bearings greased it.

[jcurtis934]

Could be that the chrome cover that is on the actual lug nut is slightly deformed by having the socket come off while taking off or installing. I just did that to one of mine.

[navybanker]

Very confusing as the "manual" that came with camper on page 23 talks about torque wrench set at 120 and use a 7/8 or 13/16" socket. Purchased both of these and they are too big! I think the 3/4 is correct and what you said (Jcurtis934) is what has happened. Not blaming the dealer as I torque before each trip and last trip was in May. My camper has aluminum wheels and eight lugs.

What do you do if you have screwed one up???

[mazboy]

If u can't get a lug nut of it goes to a tire shop.

In fact take a lugnut to a shop and find out what size they are and then order solid SS nuts that wont rust

[rohrmann]

Our original lug nuts that came on our rig were 1/2” thread solid chromed lug nuts that used a 7/8” socket. When we upgraded brakes to discs, the rotors have 9/16” studs and the solid chromed lug nuts use a 3/4” socket. Go figure. The best you can do is measure or just try several sockets until you find the one that works.

[psomers]

I always use a 6 point socket on lug nuts. The corners on my lug nuts are slightly rounded.

[navybanker]

Good comment about using 6 point sockets! This morning looked at my four way lug wrench which has six point sockets. Notice it has 3/4, 13/16, 7/8 inch 19 MM sockets! Purchased a 3/4"six point socket to use with the torque wrench. The socket been using has multiple points. The problem nut has a little play in it so didn't try to test or tighten. Obviously not a mechanic! Already had an appointment at the dealer Monday so will add this to the list to be looked at! Thanks,

[Dave W]

Normally, a 1/2"-20 thread lug nut will use a 13/16" socket. Unfortunately, "normally" isn't true for aluminum wheel chromed/SS nuts when some are 3/4". Either will work just fine since the tapered end is what holds the wheel in place. As long as that taper is correct, then you will be set to go. The lug nuts on our HC are 13/16" wrench size, the TV is 21mm but 13/16" will work. My '31 Ford street rod with Billet Specialties wheels, 1/2"-20 take a 3/4" socket. I don't want to get into lug nuts with a flat washer, no taper ...... but they exist as well.



I've not seen a 1/2-20 lug that uses a 7/8" wrench, but why not?

[Kris & Al]

Just checked mine. 7/8 drive, 13/16 wont fit. 12-20 lug nut fits stud perfectly. Takes all kinds i guess.

[KemoLondon]

After 6 years got new tires for our 2018 Montana. Lug nuts are 1/2 x 20 and are 19mm or 13/16 sockets size. Could not get either on the old lug nuts. My brother who owns his own auto repair shop told me to use the 19mm socket and get a LARGE hammer and pound the socket on. It worked. What happens is the nuts open ended chrome and the chrome cover expands due to age and weather. Nut came off easy once pounded on. I bought new solid steel/chrome closed end lug nuts and they work fine. Also with my rims the sockets seem really tight so I use a shallow wall socket. You don't want to me on the side of the road changing a tire and can't get the lug nuts off. Just a heads up.

[mlh]

Expanding lug nuts are a problem wit a lot of manufacturers not just campers. Ford GM and Chrysler all have the problem. Get a set of Mc Guard lug nuts and solve the problem on all of your vehicles.
Lynwood

[Lee-CI]

Found one of our lug nuts on the DS the same way (wanted to spin without loosening or tightening) after we snapped 6 lug studs and lost a wheel on our previous outing. Long story on another post.


In reference to the cheap lug nuts, I took a metric impact socket at touch smaller that what would normally fit on - a 3/4" six point socket in our case - and drove the socket onto the nut with a short extension and 3 lb hammer. Once the socket was driven down flush I used a breaker bar to spin the socket off. This might not work for every instance, but the tool jig to precision drill out the nut and stud was upwards of $400. Too rich for my tastes for what would hopefully be only a one use tool. I've since replace all the two piece lug nuts with solid ones.

[Dave W]

Speaking of swollen lug nuts - just did a brake job on our 25,000 mile 2017 Ford Escape. Yep, swollen lug nuts. New one piece replacement just arrived at the door tho not the very expensive McGard's

[artfuldodger]

I use a22 mm socket but always use my torque wrench for initial loosening or final tightening. The impact really messes up those tinny nut covers. I already lost 4 of those so far. I had Morryde do lS and disc brakes and although the studs were changed in that process I believe they used the same nuts.

[mlh]

Originally Posted by Dave W

Speaking of swollen lug nuts - just did a brake job on our 25,000 mile 2017 Ford Escape. Yep, swollen lug nuts. New one piece replacement just arrived at the door tho not the very expensive McGard's

McGuards are on my wife’s 2013 Escape with 44,000 miles on it and for the same reason. I ask at our Goodyear dealer how many brands are susceptible to to swollen lug nuts, all of them. They have a special set of sockets each slightly larger than the last to remove swollen nuts. That should give you an indication of how frequently they find swollen nuts.
Lynwood

[Dave W]

Originally Posted by mlh

McGuards are on my wife’s 2013 Escape with 44,000 miles on it and for the same reason. I ask at our Goodyear dealer how many brands are susceptible to to swollen lug nuts, all of them. They have a special set of sockets each slightly larger than the last to remove swollen nuts. That should give you an indication of how frequently they find swollen nuts.
Lynwood

.


Neither a 19mm impact or conventional socket, which are the OE size wouldn't fit while a well used (sloppy S-K socket) 12 point 3/4" was too big. I found an almost new US made S-K 6 point impact socket that I drove on would work. I can only guess what pain a roadside flat could have caused.

[BB_TX]

Recently replaced brake pads on DW’s Ford Expedition. Had to hammer my 4 way lug wrench onto about half the nuts to get them loose. Then after slightly loosening them used the hammer to tap the lug wrench back off before removing the nuts. Removed the thin outer shells before reinstalling them. Opened up Amazon and ordered McGard replacements.