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== Swollen lug nuts ==Swollen lug nuts — What causes lug nuts to swell and how to remove themWhat is an acorn lug nut?An acorn style lug nut protects against water intrusion into the threads. That feature, by itself is a great idea. But there are two ways to make an acorn style lug nut: 1) weld a steel cap over the end of the lug nut prior to chrome plating the entire lug nut, OR, 2) form a thin aluminum cap over the steel lug nut.The first method is more expensive and adds weight to the vehicle. The second method is less expensive and lighter, but cause problems down the road, and that problem is referred to as swollen lug nuts.What causes swollen lug nuts ?Rust Jacking. As steel rusts forms, it expands outward with great force. Rust jacking develops enough force to distort the aluminum shell that was formed around the steel lug nut. At that point the 21mm socket not longer fits properly on the lug nut.The shop is faced with using a lug nut removal socket which damages the stripped lug nut with cap lug nut or, in extreme cases, they must use a hammer and chisel to peel off the cap.How to prevent swellingThere is no way to prevent capped lug nuts from rusting.The only way to prevent lug nuts from rusting and swelling is to replace them with solid acorn lug nuts. Solid lug nuts are available online. Just make sure you buy the correct thread size and taper to fit your wheels.How to remove swollen lug nutsThere are three ways to remove swollen lug nutsMethod 1— Buy half-sized socketsBuy a 19.5mm or a 21.5mm socket to fit over the swollen lug nutsMethod 2 — Buy stripped lug nut removal socketsMethod 3 — Chisel off the formed cap and use a regular socketUse a small cold chisel and ball peen hammer and chisel off the acorn cap. Then slice down the sides of the lug nut and peel the thin metal away from the hex nut until you can fit a socket over the steel lug nut.