Swollen Lug Nuts - Recommended Replacement?

I had the same sort of problem with Jeep GC lug nuts, but only after say 125K. A local Firestone store tech cranked them down to 210-240 ft/lbs. (versus the light 110 factory spec) on the 2012 Jeep GC we gave our daughter. Also there was general impact wrench damage to the extent that the store manager bought 11 new ones--these were too long and too heavy so I bought a complete set of Gorillas online and gave the partial set back. During back and forth discussions, I discovered that the Firestone service manager did not know how to determine that lug nuts were overtightened using a common "clicker" type torque wrench. The store manager knew how to slowly click up to the overtighten amount using a "clicker" and confirmed the above numbers, but the staff apparently had not been trained. At later visit, I barely stepped into the service area and did (back at a safe distance) a been there, done that, older guy training session for the service manager and the young techs. Earlier the service manager was throwing all sorts of insults my way---told him, "Hey, I learned how to properly use a torque wrench 20 years before you were born". Bottom line is that the good factory 7/8" lug Jeep GC lug nuts can fail too with mistreatment---but from much experience with two Jeep GCs, they are way more durable than the above total iffy Ford Expedition jobs.

Speedboosted said:

I experienced this as well recently on my 2017. Mine were so bad I had to use a 22mm socket to remove them instead of the 21mm (13/16th) that they should be. I ordered these from Gorilla, it's the correct oversized tapered seat for the factory wheels: https://www.ebay.com/itm/163837776755

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Seeing different part numbers referenced in some of these chains about Gorilla lug nuts, I did my own research and also ordered the PN 61148CX set of 24 (thank you @Speedboosted as I couldn't find a better price than your EBay link). According to this page on the Gorilla website, this is the "factory style bulge" PN and can be had with different variations. The 61148CX is chrome and with factory 21mm (13/16") hex head.

https://www.gorilla-auto.com/lug-nuts-page-09



On their home page for lug nuts, they explain the styles, and say Acorn is for steel wheels, and Acorn Bulge is for steel and aluminum. Be careful with product families as you choose.

Just ordered a complete set of replacement lug nuts for my 2018 Expy. Link is below from Amazon. I was rotating my tires and came across the 'swollen nut' syndrome! Scared the crap out of me at first - thought I spun the stud - torque on these lug nuts is 150 ft/lbs. and it spun around 110 ft/lbs; but researched it and found it is a common problem with the exterior plating on the lug nuts. - Good luck.

I went ahead and did the wheel locks. At this point anything not "secured down" these days seems to be fair game for those that don't want to pay for what they have. You see the news about folks stealing tail lights? Doesn't surprise me given how expensive mine was to replace 6 months into ownership (thank god under warranty). I used Gorilla part number 71644N for the whole kit. Wasn't bad, got a good deal on good ol' amazon.

Just don't forget, if you replace your lug nuts, make sure you double check torque 50-100 miles after install.

2018 Limited with 22” rims, my dealer replaced original lug nuts with
NPN611-008.1 made by Dorman.

5280tunage said:

I went ahead and did the wheel locks. At this point anything not "secured down" these days seems to be fair game for those that don't want to pay for what they have. You see the news about folks stealing tail lights? Doesn't surprise me given how expensive mine was to replace 6 months into ownership (thank god under warranty). I used Gorilla part number 71644N for the whole kit. Wasn't bad, got a good deal on good ol' amazon.

Just don't forget, if you replace your lug nuts, make sure you double check torque 50-100 miles after install.

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Edit: I screwed up here, so i just wanted to let everyone know. I got nervous about the Acorn vs. Bulge Acorn thing, called Gorilla and was told this won't work, or at least likely wouldn't be safe. The two parts they directed me to were part numbers 61148fs (qty20) and 96641dx for the set of four locks. Glad I checked, best pricing I found was on eBay.

Man I had never heard of this either, but the last time I got my tires balanced and rotated he told me some of mine were starting to swell and it’s time to replace the nuts.

Does anyone have the correct part number for Gorilla all black non-locking lugs? I have a '22 Expy Max SPP with the 22" inch wheels.

sliderz71 said:

Does anyone have the correct part number for Gorilla all black non-locking lugs? I have a '22 Expy Max SPP with the 22" inch wheels.

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61148FSBC should be the one for black

sliderz71 said:

Does anyone have the correct part number for Gorilla all black non-locking lugs? I have a '22 Expy Max SPP with the 22" inch wheels.

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Ford says those are M14 x 1.5, so one of the 61148 variations would work.