The first thing on my To Do list for the new truck was to buy a set of wheel locks so we don’t have to go through the stress, anger, aggravation, lost time, and money we experienced with our 2012 Expedition back in 2014. The first step was to decide where to buy them.

OEM vs Aftermarket

In the post on Online Tools for Buying Automotive Parts & Accessories, I posted screen shots for the Ford OEM version (made by McGard) and the McGard aftermarket wheel locks on Amazon. They should be the same, right?

Ford OEM Wheel Locks

McGard Aftermarket Wheel Locks

The local Ford Dealer wanted $49.49 for the OEM set (made by McGard) and Amazon wanted $24.01 for McGards aftermarket version. Ford was more than twice as much. Seems like an easy choice. But let’s look at the details on the McGard website…

Looks at “Notes for: 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty”

For aftermarket cone seat wheels only. For OEM wheels see dealer.; Key will not fit OEM lug wrench.

So a couple of things are going on here. The Ford OEM wheels do not have a “cone seat,” they have a flat seat. These wheel locks will fit the threaded stud, but will not seat properly on an OEM wheel. You cannot use them with OEM wheels.

Another thing is the pictures from both Amazon and Ford are not the exact product, they are stock pictures that “represent” the product. The actual product may vary.

So what’s the deal? Amazon says it will fit!

Look closely at the specifications in the picture above. The thread size is 14mm x 1.5 pitch. This will fill a lot of trucks to include some imports and even GM and Chrysler. So it is a universal set. The problem is the OEM lug nuts and the spare lug wrench are Hex size 21mm. The key for the McGard after market wheel locks is Hex 22mm. In other words, the lug wrench is too small to fit the key. Of course one could just buy a 22mm tool and keep it in the truck, but then you are paying almost as much as the OEM set. The key for the Ford OEM key is 21mm, so the spare lug wrench will fit it.

But more importantly, to repeat myself, the “cone seat” of the aftermarket wheel locks WILL NOT work proper with the OEM wheels, which have a flat seat. If you have aftermarket wheels, these wheel locks should work on most.

Other Reasons to Buy the OEM Set

In my career I have removed hundreds if not thousands of wheels using wheel locks. The OEM keys and locks are better made and more robust. Most Ford Dealers have a Master Key Set to fit the Ford OEM wheel locks. So if you loose your key, your Ford dealer can get it off. Not so with the aftermarket kit. Also, OEM parts built by vendors are manufactured to the OEM’s specifications and are not just off-the-shelf rebranded parts. As a matter of fact, you cannot buy a different set from McGard with a 21mm key to fit a 2020 Super Duty. Do your research.

I bought the Ford OEM Wheel Lock Set for all the reasons above.

Installing the Wheel Locks

It took more time to research the correct set than it took to install them. Many people who have owned aluminum wheels, like what we have on our truck, will just assume it comes with chrome nuts. Not the case. The application says with cover vs chrome without a cover.

Our wheels have a center cover (plastic that looks like chromed metal) and it requires the “Zinc Plated For Hidden Lugs” set from Ford.

To install the set, one lug nut on each wheel is replaced with a locking lug using the included key. Hand tighten the locking nut, then torque it to the manufacturer’s specification. How tight? Look it up in the Owner Manual. For our F-250 it is 150 ft lbs.

Here’s a listing of the lug nut specs on our vehicles

• 1999 Ford Mustang (100 ft lbs)
• 2012 Ford Expedition that we just sold (150 ft lbs)
• 2015 Hyundai Genesis (65-79 ft lbs)
• 2020 Ford F-250 (150 ft lbs)

Torque Wrench

The proper tool to tighten wheel lugs (and all fasteners) is a torque wrench! There are several types (click, beam, dial, digital) of torques wrenches. I have been using click type torque wrenches for almost 50 years. The end of the handle turns to line up with a scale indicating the torque value. Once the correct value is selected, the torque wrench will make a clicking sound when the specified torque is reached.

This is a Snap-on brand torque wrench I bought in 1972, which costs over $400 today. You can buy similar inexpensive wrenches on Amazon or in parts stores for around $30.

Last Steps

The wheel locks come with an ID card and an order form if you want to order additional lug nuts or a spare key. You can register the Key Number and purchase spares online or with the included registration form and self-addressed envelope that comes with the kit. The Ford OEM set’s paperwork for registration and purchase are sent to McGard, not Ford.