2018 Ford F-150 Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2018 Ford F-150 lug nut torque is 150 ft-lbs (203 Nm), tightened with a 22mm hex socket on M14x1.5 studs. Torque in a star pattern in two passes (snug, then final), and re-check after the first 50–100 miles of driving. Use a calibrated torque wrench — not an impact gun — for the final pass.

Lug nut torque: 150 ft-lbs (203 Nm) · Socket size: 22mm hex · Thread: M14x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2018 Ford F-150. Use it before any maintenance or repair job where torque values matter — brake work, wheel changes, suspension service, engine teardowns, or oil changes. Specs are pulled from manufacturer service literature, cross-checked against community data, and updated as new chassis variants become available.

Ford lug-nut torque varies more by chassis than most makes — 100 ft-lbs for Focus/Fusion/Fiesta, 150 ft-lbs for half-ton F-150, and 165 ft-lbs for Super Duty F-250/F-350. F-150s from 2004-2014 use a 21mm OEM socket, while 2015+ aluminum-body trucks moved to the larger 22mm. Ford torque-to-yield (TTY) head bolts are standard from the early 2000s — do not reuse them, ever.

Thirteenth generation (P552, 2015–2020)

The 2018 F-150 is Ford's thirteenth-generation P552 truck (2015–2020), most notable for switching to an aluminum-alloy body over a high-strength steel frame — a change that cut roughly 700 pounds of curb weight. Its signature engine is the twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 (365 hp at launch, 375 hp after the 2017 update), sold alongside 2.7-liter EcoBoost, 3.3-liter V6, and 5.0-liter Coyote V8 options.

Every trim uses a six-lug wheel on M14x1.5 studs, so lug hardware carries across the range. The aluminum body panels also mean many exterior and bracket fasteners clamp against soft alloy, where correct clamp load matters more than muscle.

Common fastener categories on the 2018 Ford F-150

Wheel / lug nut torque and thread spec (covered above)
Brake caliper bracket bolts (typically 80-130 ft-lbs) and slide/guide pins (18-35 ft-lbs)
Engine oil drain plug torque — rarely above 30 ft-lbs; always use a new crush washer
Transmission pan, valve cover, and intake manifold bolts (low torque, often 89-106 in-lbs)
Suspension control arm, sway bar, tie rod end and ball joint torque
Spark plug torque (typically 10-15 ft-lbs on aluminum heads — do not exceed)
Differential cover bolts (RWD/4WD only) and transfer case fasteners

Repair guidance for this model year

For 2018 model-year work: This era introduced widespread torque-to-yield (TTY) bolts on head, main, and crank pulley fasteners. TTY bolts stretch permanently when torqued and must not be reused — the spec calls for a fresh bolt every time. Always verify TTY status against the FSM before reassembly.

Tools you will need

Metric socket set (8mm-22mm), 6-point impact-rated
Calibrated torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs covers most automotive jobs; add a 0-250 ft-lbs wrench for truck lug nuts)
Breaker bar (24" minimum) for initial loosening
Penetrating oil (PB Blaster or Kroil) for any fastener over 5 years old
Anti-seize on stainless or dissimilar-metal threads; thread-locker (Loctite blue) on critical reassembly

Frequently asked questions

What is the lug nut torque on a 2018 Ford F-150?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2018 Ford F-150 is 150 ft-lbs (203 Nm), using a 22mm hex socket on M14x1.5 thread studs. Use a calibrated torque wrench in a star pattern, in two passes (50% and 100%), and re-check after 50-100 miles of driving.

What socket size do I need for the 2018 Ford F-150 lug nuts?

The 2018 Ford F-150 uses a 22mm hex socket. A 6-point impact-rated socket is recommended over a 12-point chrome socket — 12-points round off lug nuts under impact-driver use.

Are the 2018 Ford F-150 fasteners metric or SAE?

Metric is the standard for this vehicle. Most fasteners on this vehicle are metric (M6, M8, M10, M12, M14). Bring a full metric set; SAE substitutes can round the head. Bolt-head markings are the fastest way to confirm grade and material at the bench.

Other Ford F-150 years

Same model, different model year — fastener spec may change. Always confirm against the year for your VIN.

→ 2018 Ford F-150 oil drain plug torque & size

→ 2018 Ford F-150 brake job torque specs (caliper, bracket & slide pins)

→ Full 2018 Ford F-150 maintenance schedule (intervals, costs & free tracker) on ServiceSageAuto

All 16 2018 Ford F-150 fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2018 Ford F-150, sourced from OEM service literature and verified against community shop data. Values pair imperial (ft-lb) and metric (Nm) where the manufacturer publishes both.

Wheels — 2018 Ford F-150

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2018 Ford F-150. The wheel lug nut uses a 21mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 150 ft-lbs (203 Nm) at the wheels. At the wheels, the lug nut torques to 150 ft-lbs (203 Nm) (21mm drive, M14 x 1.5 thread).

Brakes — 2018 Ford F-150

Brake fasteners on the 2018 Ford F-150 — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. At the front brake caliper, the brake caliper bolt torques to 25-30 ft-lbs (13mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). For the front caliper, plan for a 13mm hex tool on a M10 stud; final torque is 27 ft-lb (front caliper slide pin). Rear caliper bracket bolt tightens to 181 ft-lb, takes a 21mm hex driver, runs on M14 threads, located at the rear axle. The rear caliper slide pin uses a 13mm hex drive on a M10 thread, torqued to 26 ft-lb at the rear caliper. At the front knuckle, the front caliper bracket bolt torques to 184 ft-lb (21mm hex drive, M14 thread). For the front wheel hub, plan for a 24mm tool on a M16x2.0 stud; final torque is 185 ft-lbs (250 Nm) (front brake caliper bracket bolt). Rear brake caliper bracket bolt tightens to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft), takes a M14 driver, runs on 2.0 threads, located at the rear axle.

Engine — 2018 Ford F-150

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2018 Ford F-150, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. plan for a 3/8in ratchet tool on a M12x1.75 stud; final torque is 20 ft-lbs (27 Nm) (engine oil drain plug). Oil drain plug tightens to 19 ft-lb, takes a 15mm hex driver, runs on M12x1.75 threads, located at the engine oil pan. The spark plug uses a 5/8in drive on a M14x1.25 thread, torqued to 12 ft-lbs (16 Nm).

Drivetrain — 2018 Ford F-150

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2018 Ford F-150 — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. Differential cover bolt tightens to 25-35 ft-lbs, takes a 13mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the differential cover. The front axle hub nut uses a 36mm hex drive on a M30 thread, torqued to 30 ft-lb at the front hub (4wd).

Suspension — 2018 Ford F-150

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2018 Ford F-150 — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. The front shock absorber upper nut uses a 15mm drive on a M10 x 1.5 thread, torqued to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft) at the shock tower. At the lower control arm, the front shock absorber lower bolt torques to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft) (M14 drive, 2.0 thread).

New to torquing wheels? Read our How lug nut torque works — the complete guide for star-pattern sequence, re-torque intervals, and how to read a lug spec — then use the 2018 Ford F-150 numbers above.

Loading the interactive 2018 Ford F-150 fastener lookup with per-bolt filtering, part links, and torque tools…