Lug nuts - "swollen" or is Costco crazy?

These both are correct. I used to see both of these a lot at the shops I worked at. We always used to recommend switching to the cast units like Gorilla rather than getting another set of the two-piece nuts, because they don't hold up long-term. The one-piece cast nuts might eventually get rusty, but you don't have to worry about them losing their casing and your lug wrench suddenly not fitting.

 

If your 21 mm fits good, I would ask them to show you what they are using.

 

OP....even though a life time tire rotation may sound enticing....I would be very hesitant on letting a place like Costco...walmart...even discount tire rotate my tires on a regular basis....at the very least make sure you double check your lugs and torque when you get home

 

I think most people don't realize some lug nuts are 2 pieces.

I've had some where the outer casing got deformed after repeated used and the socket no longer fit. I've even had some where the outer casing fell apart.

 

I'm confused because I inspected several of them up close and they look fine.
Yes, I rolled them around in my hands. And no, I did not put them in my mouth.

 

10/10 for thread title alone. Would read again

 

Damn you! I spit coffee all over my keyboard!

Did you lick them?

 

Go down to the county health department, they track statistics on stuff like that.

 

lol you guys are terrible

 

This. The Costco mechanics were likely using a 13/16" socket (or possibly torque-stick, since they come in fewer sizes). 13/16" is 20.6 mm, so it will be a tight fit in some cases and interference in others.

It doesn't help that some popular aftermarket lugnuts for 12x1.5mm thread (like McGard) actually are designed for 13/16" nominal socket size.

Go somewhere else more import-friendly.

 

Good call about the socket size. A 13/16" is 0.8125 and a 21mm is 0.8267

If they use the 13/16" it will be tight but it does still fit. I have rotated my tires using a 13/16" socket but I don't use impact tools.

 

Alright time for a real response.

As lug nuts are taken off and put on they do "swell" but it's actually the cheap ass nuts being twisted both ways and eventually the sockets don't fit them anymore because the walls aren't straight.

The cap separates from the lug nut and it's harder to get the socket on.

So yes, it does happen. Doesn't necessarily mean you need new ones, but it takes them twice as long to get their socket on them. Poor guys

 

Thanks all for the entertainment...but especially for the info. Still undecided whether to buy new nuts - it's not a big investment, but I hate wasting money on someone else's idiocy!
You guys are weird and awesome.

 

^This. I work at Americas Tire and I see this a lot with older Toyotas and damn near every Dodge truck that comes into the shop. We DO use 21mm sockets and they just don't fit when the lugs are really hot after driving in the summer heat. We use 7/8" sockets on the Dodge trucks and they don't fit either most of the time. So OP, buy the lug nuts because the day u get a flat and have to change a tire on the side of the road you'll regret keeping those crappy 2 piece lug nuts. All joking aside.

 

Interesting, I learned something new today.

 

This topic has got to be the most absurd and hilarious illustration of peoples understanding of their vehicles. But, this problem of car manufacturers using a sub-standard part for lug nuts is very wide spread, check the class action against Ford. And Dodge, Toyota and other carmakers use them on various models.
I do roadside assitance and have seen these bad lugs many times. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is how sometimes the cap breaks loose from the base nut and it just spins around when you attempt to take them off. When that happens, I have to tell them they better get a tow because they only way to get them off is cutting or special tools; sorry I dont get paid for that kind of job.
So my advice to anyone with these kind of nuts, and you know who you are..or at least you should. If the mechs tell you to change them, I would do it. And if they are bad on one wheel I'd check them all.
Hope I dont sound preachy because it is the silliest thing you ever heard until it happens to you.