Parts for your 2015 Subaru Impreza-Wheel studs nuts

2015 Subaru Impreza wheel studs and nuts

Technical sources confirm the 2015 Subaru Impreza uses wheel studs and nuts (not wheel bolts). The Subaru Owner’s Manual for the GJ/GP series specifies tightening “wheel nuts” to 120 N·m, and the Subaru Service Manual shows the hub with pressed-in studs secured by tapered-seat nuts. Subaru’s parts catalogue for the same model lists both hub studs and wheel nuts as service items. So, yes—wheel studs and nuts are absolutely relevant and fitted to this vehicle.

On a 2015 Impreza, the studs are pressed into the hub and the wheel slides over them. The nuts clamp the wheel against the hub face, providing the crucial clamping force that keeps everything tight while the car’s doing the daily commute or a long Kiwi roadie. The setup is a 5-stud pattern (5x100 PCD), with fine-thread M12 x 1.25 nuts and a 60-degree tapered seat.

Good servicing practice is simple. Always start nuts by hand to avoid cross-threading, then tighten in a star pattern. Use a torque wrench to finish at 120 N·m—avoid going hard with a rattle gun, which can stretch studs or chew out the nut seats. Keep the hub and wheel mating faces clean and dry. Don’t use grease or anti-seize on the threads, torque values are specified for clean, dry threads.

There’s no set replacement interval for studs and nuts, but they should be inspected whenever tyres are rotated, wheels are off for brake work, or after any puncture repair. Replace any hardware that looks suspect—these are inexpensive parts that do a big job.

• Watch for these signs it’s time to replace:
  • Cross-threaded or stripped threads on studs or nuts
  • Visible corrosion, pitting, or flaking on threads
  • Cone seat damage on nuts or elongated nut holes on wheels
  • Any stud that’s bent, cracked, or has been over-stretched

Pressing in a new stud typically requires the brake rotor to come off. It’s straightforward for a workshop and worth doing in pairs if wear is uneven. If running aftermarket wheels, always match the seat type (tapered for the Impreza) and shank depth, and re-check torque after 50–100 km of driving. A quick re-torque after a tyre rotation is also a smart habit.

Final tip for roadside wheel changes: snug the nuts evenly, drive gently, then torque them properly once you’re home or at a servo with the right gear.

Popular questions

What’s the correct torque for the wheel nuts on a 2015 Subaru Impreza?
The factory spec is 120 N·m (about 88.5 ft-lb). Tighten in a star pattern and re-check after 50–100 kilometres, especially after wheel or tyre work.

What thread size and seat type do the wheel nuts use?
They’re M12 x 1.25 with a 60-degree tapered seat and typically a 19 mm hex. Avoid ball-seat or mag-seat nuts unless the wheel specifically requires them.

Can wheel bolts be used instead of studs and nuts?
No. The Impreza’s hubs are designed for pressed-in studs and separate nuts. Conversion kits exist but aren’t recommended for road use, stick with quality OE-equivalent studs and the correct tapered nuts.