What is the problem with the lug nuts on a Dodge Ram?

Problem with Dodge Ram lug nuts
The lug nuts supplied on Dodge Ram trucks are known to have issues where they can swell or strip over time. This is a common problem that many Dodge Ram owners experience.
The swelling occurs as the lug nuts absorb moisture, which causes them to enlarge and make them difficult to remove without using an impact wrench or hammer. Stripping typically happens when the lug nuts are not properly torqued during installation and this damages the threads.
Replacing the factory lug nuts is recommended as a preventative measure to avoid being stranded with stuck lug nuts later on. Aftermarket lug nuts made of stronger materials like stainless steel are less prone to these issues. Owners have reported good results switching to brands like Gorilla or McGard lug nuts.
If the lug nuts start swelling or stripping prematurely, before 60,000 miles for example, this could be a warranty issue to take up with the dealership. Regularly checking lug nut torque and avoiding over-torquing helps prevent problems.

What is the problem with the Dodge lug nuts?

DETROIT — Fiat Chrysler is recalling more than 500,000 Dodge Ram trucks because the lug nuts could be overtightened and break studs causing the wheels to fly off.

Can lug nuts just come loose?

Yes they can loosen, but not if properly tightened. If you change a wheel or disturb them to do brake work etc. and you don’t tighten them fully, then they will work loose over the following miles or tens of miles. If tightened properly they do not come loose for the life of the tyre or brake.

What would cause lug nuts to keep coming loose?

Proper clamping force cannot be achieved with non-flat mating surfaces such as damaged or bent hubs and wheels, or worn or elongated boltholes (raised metal). Contaminants such as excess dirt, sand, rust, metal burrs, and paint on mating surfaces can wear away with use, causing a settling effect.

Do Dodge lug nuts swell?

Force can also accelerate the swelling of a lug nut.
This problem is prevalent in some Jeep, Toyota, Ford, Chrysler, and Dodge models.

Is it safe to drive a truck with a missing lug nut?

If ignored, they could fall out. Over time, this can wear down the other lug nuts on the wheel. As discussed above, a wheel that is missing a lug nut is not safe to drive.

Why won’t my lug nuts stay tight?

Chances are because they were not torqued properly on re-assembly, as others have mentioned. If you are totally absolutely 100% sure they were torqued to the manufacturers recommend torque value while using the proper procedure then there is the possibility your wheel studs have been over-torqued in the past.

Is it common for lug nuts to fall off?

If the nuts are weak or not installed properly, they can break or work themselves loose. Missing or loose lug nuts usually create a vibration, but sometimes there is little to no indication of a problem before the tire falls off completely.

How often should lug nuts be replaced?

If you take good care of the lug nuts, the wheel nuts can work fine between 5 to 15 years. But once there are swollen lug nuts, the best solution is to replace them with quality brand lug nuts.

What is the stud recall on the Ram 2500?

The recall involves vehicles with flanged lug nuts that may have been over-torqued during service due to an incorrect torque specification. A yielded wheel stud may eventually break which to lead to a wheel separating from the vehicle during operation.

Why do Dodge lug nuts swell?

Swollen lug nuts has been a common problem since the invention of the two-piece capped lug nut. The problem occurs when moisture infiltrates the space between the chrome decorative cap and the actual steel lug nut securing the wheel to the vehicle.