Parts for your 2018 Subaru Xv-Wheel studs nuts

2018 Subaru XV wheel studs and nuts

Wheel studs and nuts are absolutely used on the 2018 Subaru XV (also known as Crosstrek). Technical references that confirm this include the 2018 XV/Crosstrek Owner’s Manual, which specifies the tightening torque for the wheel nuts, and Subaru’s Technical Information System (STIS) service manual for the GT7/GT3 platform, which details hub assembly, stud replacement and wheel nut specifications. These factory sources show five pressed-in wheel studs per hub with separate conical-seat wheel nuts, typically tightened to 120 N·m on clean, dry threads.

On this XV, the studs are pressed into the hub and the nuts clamp the wheel and brake rotor firmly to the hub face. That clamping force is what keeps the wheel centred and secure under cornering, braking and off-road bumps. Subaru’s use of studs and nuts makes wheel changes quicker and helps protect the hub from thread damage, because the sacrificial part is the stud or nut rather than the hub itself.

As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to give the wheel studs and nuts a once-over. Look for rusty or stretched threads, damaged nut seats, or any sign a nut binds or won’t hold torque. Hand-start every nut, run them down evenly in a star pattern, and only use a torque wrench for the final nip to 120 N·m. Avoid lubricating the threads or cone seats unless a Subaru bulletin specifically says otherwise—oil or anti-seize can lead to over-tightening. For the XV, the thread is typically M12 × 1.25 with a 60-degree conical seat, always match the seat to the wheels you’re using.

When to replace? If a nut’s chrome cap splits, the cone seat is chewed up, a stud’s threads are rolled or the stud spins in the hub, it’s time. Stud replacement on the XV involves removing the caliper and rotor, then pressing or drawing a new stud into the hub flange from the rear—straightforward for a workshop with the right tools. After any wheel-off work, recheck torque after 50–100 km, especially if the car’s seen corrugations or beach runs. Keeping these little bits healthy pays off in quiet brakes, true-running wheels and hassle-free tyre rotations.

• Torque wheel nuts to 120 N·m on clean, dry threads.
• Use a star pattern and hand-start every nut.
• Inspect and replace damaged studs or nuts promptly.
• Re-torque after 50–100 km following wheel removal.

Popular questions

What’s the correct wheel nut torque for a 2018 Subaru XV?
The factory spec commonly used is 120 N·m on clean, dry threads with a star pattern. Finish with a torque wrench, not an impact gun, and recheck after 50–100 kilometres if the wheels were recently off. Always follow the value in the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual for your exact model and wheel setup.

What thread size and seat type does the XV use?
The 2018 XV typically uses M12 × 1.25 wheel studs with 60-degree conical-seat nuts on a 5×100 PCD hub. Using the correct conical-seat nuts is crucial to proper clamping and avoiding rotor or wheel damage.

How can someone tell if a wheel stud needs replacing?
Signs include rolled or flattened threads, visible stretch, heavy corrosion, a nut that binds or won’t torque, or a stud that spins in the hub. Replacement involves removing the brake rotor and drawing a new stud into the hub flange from behind—best done with a press or suitable installer to avoid hub damage.