Parts for your 2012 Subaru Impreza-Wheel studs nuts

2012 Subaru Impreza wheel studs and nuts

The 2012 Subaru Impreza is fitted with wheel studs and nuts (not wheel bolts). This is confirmed by Subaru technical references such as the 2012 Impreza Owner’s Manual (wheel and tyre service section), the Subaru Factory Service Manual for the GP/GJ series (hub and axle/wheels section), and the Subaru Electronic Parts Catalogue, which list the front and rear hubs as using press-in studs with matching wheel nuts. The platform runs a 5×100 PCD hub pattern with M12×1.25-thread studs, typical of Subaru passenger models of this era.

On this Impreza, the studs are pressed into the hub flange and the nuts clamp the wheel to the hub. Their whole job is to provide reliable clamping force so the wheel stays seated against the hub face through braking, cornering and rough Kiwi or Aussie roads. Done right, they’re a fit-and-forget item, done wrong, they can cause shakes, warped rotors or, worst case, a loose wheel.

Good servicing of the wheel studs and nuts is mostly about clean mating surfaces and correct torque. Hand-start each nut, then torque in a star pattern to the factory spec shown in the owner’s manual, on clean, dry threads and seats. Avoid rattle guns for final tightening. Re-check torque after a short run-in (about 50–100 km) whenever wheels have been off for tyres, rotations or brake work.

Common issues on the 2012 Impreza include stretched or cross-threaded studs from over-tightening, corrosion on coastal cars, and damaged nut seats when mismatched aftermarket wheels are used. If a nut feels gritty, won’t start by hand, or a stud spins in the hub, it’s time to inspect and likely replace. Subaru specifies a 60-degree tapered-seat nut for most OE wheels, always match the nut’s seat type to the wheel (taper, mag/washer, or ball) to maintain correct clamping.

• Inspect studs and nuts at each tyre rotation or brake service for damage, rust or thread galling.
• Do not lubricate threads or seats unless the Subaru manual specifically calls for it, as lubrication changes effective torque.
• Replace any stud with damaged threads, signs of stretch, or if it has been subjected to severe over-torque.
• When fitting new wheels, confirm: 5×100 PCD, M12×1.25 thread, correct seat type, and appropriate nut shank depth if required.

Replacing a damaged stud on this model is straightforward for a workshop: remove the brake caliper and rotor, press or drive the old stud out from the rear of the hub, and pull the new stud in square using a spacer and sacrificial nut to seat it fully. If clearance is tight, the knuckle or dust shield may need repositioning.

Popular questions

What size are the wheel studs and nuts on a 2012 Subaru Impreza?
They’re M12×1.25-thread studs on a 5×100 PCD hub. Most OE Subaru wheels use a 60-degree tapered-seat nut. If running aftermarket rims, double-check the seat type so the nuts seat correctly and hold the proper torque.

What torque should the wheel nuts be tightened to?
Use the value listed in the 2012 Impreza Owner’s Manual and follow a star pattern on clean, dry threads. After any wheel removal, re-check torque after 50–100 km. Avoid using anti-seize on the threads unless Subaru documentation specifically allows it, as it alters clamping force.

Can a damaged stud be replaced without changing the whole hub?
Yes. In most cases the brake caliper and rotor are removed, the old stud is pressed or driven out, and a new stud is drawn in from the rear of the hub. Some setups may need the splash shield or knuckle loosened for clearance, so it’s often a quick workshop job.