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Ford Explorer lug nut torque by year

The 2020-and-later Explorer is 150 ft-lb (204 N·m) on M14 x 1.5 studs. Every Explorer manual we checked from 2005 to 2018 gives 100 ft-lb (135 N·m) on 1/2 x 20 studs, so the 2020 redesign changed both the stud and the torque.

By the Torque Reference editors 8 sources cited Last reviewed Method
Contents7 sections

Key takeaways

  • 2020–2026 (6th gen): 150 ft-lb (204 N·m), M14 x 1.5 ⁠1 ⁠2
  • 2005–2018 (3rd to 5th gen): 100 ft-lb (135 N·m), 1/2 x 20, 3/4 in (19 mm) socket ⁠3 ⁠4
  • Don't use the old 100 ft-lb on a 2020+ Explorer; the stud changed with the redesign
  • Ford: retighten within 100 miles (160 km) after any wheel disturbance ⁠2

Ford Explorer lug nut torque by year

Model yearsVariantTorqueStudOwner’s manual
20053rd gen (2002-2005)all100 ft-lb135 N·m1/2 x 20 (lug nut socket 3/4 in (19 mm) hex)
Page p.172 / printed p.172 'WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS'

“Lug nut socket size: 3/4" (19 mm) hex Bolt size: 1/2 x 20 100 135 [lb.ft. N•m]”

2005 Explorer Owner's Guide

⁠3
20064th gen (2006-2010)all100 ft-lb135 N·m1/2 x 20 (lug nut socket 3/4 in (19 mm) hex)
Page p.255 / printed p.255 'WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS'

“Bolt size: 1/2 x 20 100 135 [lb.ft. N•m]”

2006 Explorer Owner's Guide

⁠5
20104th gen (2006-2010)all100 ft-lb135 N·m1/2 x 20 (lug nut socket 3/4 in (19 mm) hex)
Page p.324 / printed p.324 'WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS'

“Bolt size: 1/2 x 20 100 135 [lb.ft. N•m]”

2010 Explorer Owner's Guide

⁠6
20115th gen (2011-2019, U502)all100 ft-lb135 N·m1/2 x 20 (lug nut socket 3/4 in (19 mm) hex)
Page p.353 / printed p.352 'WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS'

“Bolt size: 1/2 x 20 100 135 [ft-lb N•m]”

2011 Explorer Owner's Guide (Nov 2010 first printing)

⁠7
20145th gen (2011-2019, U502)all100 ft-lb135 N·m1/2 x 20
Page p.388 / printed p.387 'Wheel Lug Nut Torque Specifications'

“1/2 x 20 100 135 [ft-lb N•m]”

2014 Explorer Owner's Manual (version 3, Feb 2014)

⁠8
20185th gen (2011-2019, U502)all100 ft-lb135 N·m1/2-20 x 1.5 (as printed)
Page p.344 / printed p.341 'Wheel Lug Nut Torque Specifications'

“100 (135) 1/2-20 x 1.5 [lb-ft (Nm)]”

2018 Explorer Owner's Manual (version 4, May 2018)

⁠4
20206th gen (2020-, U625)all150 ft-lb204 N·mM14 x 1.5
Page p.373 / printed p.370 'Wheel Lug Nut Torque Specifications'

“150 lb.ft (204 Nm) M14 x 1.5”

2020 Explorer Owner's Manual (version 1, Mar 2019)

⁠1
20266th gen (2020-, U625)all150 ft-lb204 N·mM14 x 1.5
Page p.453 / printed p.449 (Changing a Road Wheel)

“150 lb.ft (204 Nm) M14 x 1.5”

2026 Explorer Owner's Manual (enUSA V1, edition 202507)

⁠2

Values as printed in the manufacturer’s owner’s manual for the year shown, not converted. Years between two checked manuals of the same generation are assumed to share the value. Open a row to read the exact wording.

What the owner’s manual says

  • Re-check: Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque at 50–100 miles (80–160 km) after any wheel disturbance (rotation, flat tire, wheel removal, etc.).
  • Re-check: Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque within 100 miles (160 km) after any wheel disturbance (rotation, flat tire, wheel removal, etc.).
  • Re-check: Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque within 100 miles (160 kilometers) after any wheel disturbance (such as rotation, flat tire, wheel removal).
  • Re-check: Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque within 100 miles (160 kilometers) after any wheel disturbance (such as tire rotation, changing a flat tire, wheel removal).
  • Re-check: Retighten the wheel nuts to the specified torque within 100 mi (160 km) after any wheel disturbance, such as tire rotation, changing a flat tire or wheel removal.
  • Threads: Torque specifications are for nut and bolt threads free of dirt and rust. Use only Ford recommended replacement fasteners.
  • Threads: Torque specifications are for nut and bolt threads free of dirt and rust. Use only our recommended replacement wheel nuts and or wheel bolts.

What changed between generations

The Explorer has two specs, and the split falls exactly at the 2020 redesign.

  • 2005–2019 (3rd, 4th and 5th generation): inch-thread 1/2 x 20 studs at 100 ft-lb (135 N·m). The 2005 and 2006 guides list a 3/4 in (19 mm) hex lug nut socket ⁠3 ⁠5. The 2010, 2011 and 2014 manuals print the same pairing ⁠6 ⁠7 ⁠8. The 2018 manual writes the stud as “1/2-20 x 1.5”. That is a misprint for the same 1/2-20 thread, and the torque is still 100 ft-lb (135 N·m) ⁠4.
  • 2020–2026 (6th generation): M14 x 1.5 studs at 150 ft-lb (204 N·m), in both the first 2020 manual and the 2026 edition ⁠1 ⁠2.

The jump matters if you work on both generations: a 2020+ Explorer set to the old 100 ft-lb is a third short of what Ford prints. Some published charts still list 1/2 x 20 at 100 ft-lb for 2020 and later, but Ford’s 6th-generation manuals print M14 x 1.5 at 150 ft-lb (204 N·m).

Re-check and thread condition

Ford changed the re-check wording over the years. The 2005 and 2006 guides say to retighten “at 50–100 miles (80–160 km) after any wheel disturbance (rotation, flat tire, wheel removal, etc.)” ⁠3 ⁠5. From 2010 on it reads “within 100 miles (160 km)” ⁠6 ⁠2.

Every manual says the torque is “for nut and bolt threads free of dirt and rust”. Clean the studs before you fit the nuts. Tighten in a star pattern and finish with a torque wrench, as in our lug nut tightening guide.

Years we have not checked

The 2002 and 2003 Explorer guides we opened contain no lug nut torque. For the 3rd generation (2002–2005) we found the value only in the 2005 guide. The 2005 file on Ford’s site carries “REVIEW COPY” watermarks, but Ford hosts it, and the 2006 guide gives the same value. Years between checked manuals of the same generation are assumed to match. None of the Explorer owner’s manuals give an oil drain plug or brake caliper torque.

Sources

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8

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