Can-Am Defender & Traxter Torque Specs

Wheel lug nut torque — Defender/Traxter HD5–HD10

100 N•m ± 10 N•m (74 lbf•ft ± 7 lbf•ft)

Defender/Traxter HD5, HD7, HD8, HD9, HD10 — every operator’s guide read, 2016 through 2026, including the 2018 Defender MAX, 2026 6x6, and 2026 PRO. Procedure page and specifications table agree in every guide. Does NOT apply to the 2026 Defender/Traxter HD11 — see the callout below.

2026 Can-Am Defender Series (excluding EU/UK) / Traxter Series Operator’s Guide (EN) — HD7/HD9/HD10 (219002503 (TMO26-EN-WEB1), PDF p.172 / printed p.170): “Wheel lug 100 ± 10 Nm … nuts (74 ± 7 lbf-ft)”

⚠️ 2026 Defender HD11 / Traxter HD11 is DIFFERENT — two-step, no lubricant

Step 1 — snug: 25 ± 10 Nm (18.4 ± 7.4 lbf-ft)

Step 2 — final: 120 ± 10 Nm (88.5 ± 7.4 lbf-ft)

Do not use any type of lubricant on the studs or lug nut threads before tightening.

Install the wheel lug nuts and tighten by hand until snug, then torque in the illustrated 1-2-3-4 sequence (4-lug pattern).

2026 Can-Am Defender HD11 Series (excluding EU/UK) / Traxter HD11 Series Operator’s Guide (EN) (219002492 (TMO26-EN-WEB; server filename), PDF p.243 / printed p.4-69): “Step 1: 25 ± 10 Nm … (18.4 ± 7.4 lbf-ft) … Wheel lug nuts”

2026 Can-Am Defender HD11 Series (excluding EU/UK) / Traxter HD11 Series Operator’s Guide (EN) (219002492 (TMO26-EN-WEB; server filename), PDF p.243 / printed p.4-69): “Wheel lug nuts … Step 2: 120 ± 10 Nm … (88.5 ± 7.4 lbf-ft)”

Year-by-year: every guide read

Not read this pass: 2017, 2019, and 2021 Defender guides; the 2018 X mr / Lone Star MAX; 2020 6x6, PRO, CAB LTD, and X mr; 2022–2025 MAX, PRO, 6x6, and X mr variants; and the 2026 MAX, MAX HD11, X mr HD11, and DPS CAB. Values for those model years and variants are not assumed from the guides above — check your own guide.

Tightening pattern and maintenance check

Install all lug nuts by hand first, then tighten in the illustrated star/cross sequence — 1-2-3-4-5 on the standard 5-lug wheel (the HD11 shows a 1-2-3-4 sequence). "Always use the recommended wheel lug nuts for the type of wheel. Using a different lug nut could cause damages to the rim or studs." No guide prints a re-torque interval in miles/km after installation.

The maintenance schedule (MY22–26, PDF p.127–139) lists "Wheel lug nuts — T" (T = Tighten in the MY25 guide, Torque in MY22) under "Every year or 200 hours or 3000 km (1900 mi)" in the regular-duty, severe-duty, and deep-mud/water charts. The pre-ride checklist in every guide says: "Make sure that lug nuts are tightened. Refer to Wheels and Tires in Maintenance Procedures for torque specification." Beadlock bolts (if equipped) appear in the MY25 maintenance schedule with no torque value printed.

Engine oil drain plug (HD5–HD10, 2016–2026)

30 N•m ± 2 N•m (22 lbf•ft ± 1 lbf•ft)

Engine oil drain plug, mono and twin-cylinder engines — constant in every guide read: 2016 (p.98/96), 2018 (p.108/106), 2018 MAX (p.100/98), 2020 (p.120/118), and 2022–2026 HD7/HD9/HD10. New gasket ring every time. The 2026 HD11 is different — see the HD11 extras below.

2026 Can-Am Defender Series (excluding EU/UK) / Traxter Series Operator’s Guide (EN) — HD7/HD9/HD10 (219002503 (TMO26-EN-WEB1), PDF p.148 / printed p.146): “Drain plug … 30 ± 2 Nm … (22 ± 1 lbf-ft)”

Other MY25 service torques (HD7/HD9/HD10)

2026 HD11-only torques (own guide, not the HD7–HD10 table above)

What the operator’s guides don’t print

Lug nut thread size and socket size are not printed in any guide read.

What is the lug nut torque on a Can-Am Defender?

100 N•m ± 10 N•m (74 lbf•ft ± 7 lbf•ft) on every Defender/Traxter HD5, HD7, HD8, HD9, HD10 guide read, 2016 through 2026, including the 2018 MAX, 2026 6x6, and 2026 PRO. The 2026 Defender HD11 / Traxter HD11 is different: a two-step procedure, Step 1 at 25 ± 10 Nm (18.4 ± 7.4 lbf-ft) then Step 2 at 120 ± 10 Nm (88.5 ± 7.4 lbf-ft), with a warning not to use any lubricant on the studs or lug nut threads before tightening.

What is the engine oil drain plug torque on a Defender?

30 N•m ± 2 N•m (22 lbf•ft ± 1 lbf•ft) on HD5–HD10, constant from the 2016 guide through 2026. The HD11 uses a different magnetic drain plug (30 ± 3 N·m) plus a second, secondary drain plug (15 ± 2 N·m) that no other Defender has.

What the guides don’t print

Axle/hub castle nut and brake caliper/banjo bolt torques are not printed in any operator’s guide 2016–2026 — those are shop/dealer-manual items. Lug nut thread size and socket size are also not printed. The 2017, 2019, and 2021 Defender guides, the 2018 X mr/Lone Star MAX, 2020 6x6/PRO/CAB LTD/X mr, 2022–2025 MAX/PRO/6x6/X mr variants, and the 2026 MAX/MAX HD11/X mr HD11/DPS CAB were not read this pass.

Tools for this job

As an Amazon Associate WhatSizeBolt earns from qualifying purchases. Tool picks are general options, not a fit guarantee for your vehicle or fastener.

• 1/2-Inch Click Torque Wrench (10–150 ft-lb)Covers every lug nut figure above, including the HD11’s 120 Nm final step.EPAuto 1/2" Drive Click Torque Wrench, 10–150 ft-lb — view on Amazon
• 3/8-Inch Click Torque Wrench (10–80 ft-lb)Engine/gearbox drain plugs, differential and final-drive filler plugs, tail-pipe screw, cage fasteners — everything printed at 10 ft-lb / 120 lbf-in or more.LEXIVON 3/8" Drive Click Torque Wrench, 10–80 ft-lb (LX-182) — view on Amazon