Parts for your 2007 Subaru Tribeca-Wheel studs nuts

2007 Subaru Tribeca wheel studs and nuts: what they do and how to look after them

Based on manufacturer documentation and catalogues, the 2007 Subaru Tribeca is fitted with wheel studs and separate wheel nuts (not wheel bolts). The Subaru Factory Service Manual for the Tribeca (Wheels & Tyres section) specifies wheel nut torque of 120 N·m (approx. 88.5 ft‑lb), and Subaru genuine parts catalogues list pressed-in hub studs with individual M12 x 1.25 nuts for this model. The Owner’s Manual also references loosening/tightening wheel nuts and the correct tightening pattern. So “wheel studs and nuts” are absolutely relevant to the 2007 Tribeca.

On this SUV, the wheel studs are pressed into the hub, and the nuts clamp the wheel to the hub face. Their whole job is to deliver strong, even clamping so the wheel sits flat, stays centred on the hub, and doesn’t fret or work loose under braking, cornering and the rough-and-tumble of Aussie and Kiwi roads. The Tribeca runs a 5x114.3 mm bolt pattern, with 60‑degree cone-seat nuts, thread M12 x 1.25, typically a 19 mm hex. Correct clamping is critical for rotor alignment, bearing life, and safe handling.

As part of routine servicing, a few simple habits keep things sweet:

• Always start nuts by hand to avoid cross-threading, finish with a torque wrench, not a rattle gun, at 120 N·m on clean, dry threads.
• Never lubricate studs or nuts unless a Subaru document explicitly says so, torque specs are for dry threads, and lubrication can over‑clamp and stretch studs.
• Tighten in a star pattern to seat the wheel evenly, then recheck torque after 50–100 km following a wheel-off job (tyres, brakes, rotations).
• Inspect during services for rusty, swollen, or chewed-up nuts, look for stretched or damaged stud threads, and for studs that spin in the hub (knurl spline wear).

Replacement is straightforward workshop fare: remove the wheel, brake caliper and rotor for access, press or drive the damaged stud out from the rear of the hub, and draw the new stud in square using a stack of washers and a sacrificial nut or a proper installer. Mind ABS wiring and shields. If clearance is tight, the hub may need to come off for a press. Replace any suspect nuts at the same time, and match seat type and thread exactly. Done right, owners get quiet wheels, happy bearings, and fewer hassles at warrant or rego checks.

Popular question: What size and torque are the 2007 Subaru Tribeca wheel nuts?

The Tribeca uses M12 x 1.25 thread, 60‑degree cone-seat wheel nuts with a 19 mm hex, on a 5x114.3 mm hub pattern. Subaru’s service spec calls for 120 N·m (about 88.5 ft‑lb) on clean, dry threads using a star pattern.

That torque is for dry hardware, adding anti‑seize or oil changes clamp load and isn’t recommended unless a Subaru procedure states otherwise. A quick re‑torque after 50–100 km post tyre or brake work is good practice.

Popular question: Is it safe to drive a 2007 Tribeca with a missing or broken wheel stud?

It’s not recommended. A missing or snapped stud reduces clamping and can overload the remaining hardware, risking wheel movement, brake pulsation, or further failures.

Short trips to a workshop at low speed may be possible, but it should be repaired promptly. Replace the damaged stud and any suspect nuts, then torque all five correctly.

Popular question: Should anti‑seize be used on Tribeca wheel studs?

No. Subaru’s torque values are for dry threads. Lubricants or anti‑seize increase effective clamping for the same torque setting and can stretch studs or distort rotors.

Keep threads clean and dry, torque accurately, and address any corrosion by replacing affected hardware rather than masking issues with lube.