Plugging a tire and dealing with the Ford’s lug nut decorative caps. I wanted to remove the wheel in reference to an air leak. Upon my surprise, the tire iron that came with the vehicle, Ford Escape, didn’t fit the lug nuts. I attempted to use a 4 way tire iron but was unsuccessful as well. Upon researching the issue on the internet, I discovered the problem is that the decorative cap on the lug nut expands where it makes the tire iron is unusable.

Some people have been able to pound the tire iron on the lug nut with the cap. I opted for getting a larger socket than the 19mm lug nut. I purchased a ½ inch drive socket that has a 19.5mm on one end and an 18.5mm on the other from Autozone. In order to use the socket you will need an extension due to the ½ inch square being located in the middle of the socket, so you can use either the 19.5mm or the 18.5mm. I did find that my lug nuts were expanded pretty good and required me to tap the socket with the hammer to get it started then I used a piece of wood along with the hammer to place the socket all the way on the lug nut. I did remove the decorative lug nut caps on three of the lug nuts. This however took way too long to remove them. I ended up purchasing new one piece lug nuts from Amazon. Keep in mind that if you have a different make of vehicle you may not have this issue. Also when purchasing new lug nuts please check your owner’s manual for the appropriate size and specification.

I used a standard plug kit that I have had. Once you find the hole you use the tool that resembles a file and insert that into the hole several times while twisting and turning it. You take a plug and thread it in the eyelet of the other tool. You then insert it into the tire approximately halfway down. With one motion you pull the tool out from the tire and the plug should be still in the tire. Check for leaks. If no leaks, cut off access plug.

18.5mm/19.5mm socket Autozone $11.99

https://www.autozone.com/ratchets-soc...

Dp driven products lug nuts $26.00

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H1IBKIK/...