Here is a question for all you F-150 fans with custom wheels. Do you have to re-tighten the lug nuts very often?

I have a set of 10X15 chrome star mags by Prime and the lug nuts almost came off the other day. The dealer says I will have to re-tighten them every 500 miles.

What's up with this?

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97 F-150 Lariat S/C 4X4, Black & Grey two tone with chrome lower body panels. 5.4L/3.55. 10" custom wheels & 32X11.50 Wild Track tires. Custom grill guard, light covers, custom body moulded hood and window deflectors, custom step bars.

 

Jim: Welcome to the world of Aluminum Wheels. It is a good idea to check them every 500 miles or every couple of weeks. I think it has something to do with the heat expansion of aluminum, maybe a wheel expert can add something here.

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'97 XLT Reg. Cab, 4.2V6, 5spd, Lund Deflector, Dash Mat, MagnaFlow Muffler, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Edelbrock Shocks, Duraliner, Extang Saber Tonneau, 2" Rear Drop, Amer. Rac. Atlas Wheels Clad in 275/60/17 Eagle GTII Who stole my other 2 cylinders?

 

I just rotated my tires this afternoon, factory 5 spoke aluminum, and the lug nut's all seemed tight. 1100 mi, they are the black lug nuts.
Jeff

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1999 F150 Lariat
Reg cab Short box Styleside
5.4L 3.55ls
Deep Wedgwood Blue/Silver
Lund Interceptor hood shield, VentVisors, Class III hitch, Ford molded mud guards

 

JimMcK

I heard they had a problem with lug nuts in the older (‘97/'98) models and that they corrected it later. I checked mine after 1500 miles and they're OK. The lug nuts on mine are two piece, a black washer and nut combination. You might check if Ford had a recall or just replace them with a new set. You might check with another dealer and see if he gives you the same bull.

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'99 WHITE F150 XLT FlareSide SC 4.2 Auto 3.55, Superchip,
Black Westin Nerfs, White Prime Design BugShield,
White Vtech Taillight Covers, White Vtech Sidewinders,
LOTTA SHOW and SOME GO

 

I had the re-call on my 97' about the lugnuts coming loose/off and take it to your dealer and have them tightnen it for free. I took it to a local Towing Place, and they were tight.

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1999 Ford F150 XLT 4x2, Cloth Seats, Amazon green, 16" All season tires, Soft Tonneau Cover, CD Player, 4.6 liter Triton V8, 3:55 ls, towing package, 4 speed auto, K&N Airfilter, soon Superchip and K&N GEN II.

Fast46Triton

The Terminator!

 

There was recall on the 98's as well. Lug nuts were coming loose and whell damage could occur. Dealer replaced the lug nuts with some "special" ones and they've been tight ever since, although I pretty much stopped checking.

 

When I first got my custom wheels the shop told me to re-torque the lugs after about 100 miles. Some of them were loose then but after that I never had a problem. My wheels required me getting new chrome lug nuts. If you can use the factory lug nuts with your wheels maybe the problem is as mentioned above about the recall on the Ford lug nuts.

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dseibert,
'97 XLT S/C, 4.6L, 3-4 Bell Tech Drop, K&N, Leer Cap, 17" American Racing wheels
Dark Toreador Red...you know Maroon!
(see page 5 of the Owner's Gallery bottom picture)