What to do for swollen lug nuts
Q: I went to Costco to have two new tires installed. They told me that I needed to get new lug nuts as the lug nuts on my 2004 Dodge 1500 Ram truck were swollen and that they couldn’t get them off. I have never heard of this. I called the dealer and they said it would cost
$24 for each lug nut. To replace the lug nuts on my truck would cost me $500, which is ridiculous to me. Do you have any suggestions on how to get new lug nuts at a reasonable price other than from the dealer? You would think the manufacturer would take some responsibility for this product.
— T.M., Virginia Beach, Virginia
A: This was common on some Ford and Dodge vehicles. The original lug nuts are steel with a chrome cap over them.
The nuts corrode between the two and swell, making them nearly impossible to remove. I say “nearly impossible” because there are special sockets that technicians can use to get those nasty nuts off. I suggest replacing them with chrome or stainless steel nuts. Check out your local parts store for availability and find an independent shop to replace the nuts for a lot less money.
Q: I have a 1994 Suburban 1500 four-wheel-drive with 180,000 miles. It runs good and doesn’t leak any oil. But this winter when I turn on the heater, it spews a film onto the windshield. The defroster has no effect on it. It seems a bit oily and doesn’t wipe off clean. What do you think? — T.P., Las Vegas A: It sounds like you have antifreeze coating your windshield. How did it get there? Most likely there is a small leak in the heater core, which is part of the HVAC system. Replacing the heater core can get expensive, so try a radiator sealer such as Bar’s Leaks, which may plug the hole.
Q: My question is: Does it matter what lane of a three- or four-lane highway I travel in, so I can travel fewer miles? In other words, is the far-left lane shorter, for example? — N.B., Tinley Park, Illinois
A: The shortest path between two points is a straight line. To approach that, you must cut corners — literally cut corners — to stay on the inside lane. On a multi-lane highway, that could cause trouble and maybe even get you a ticket. Since most roads have many curves, pick a lane. It will average out.
Bob Weber is a writer and mechanic who became an ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician in 1976. He maintains this status by seeking certification every five years. Weber’s work appears in professional trade magazines and other consumer publications. Send questions along with name and town to motor mouth.tribune@gmail.com.