2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt lug nut torque is 100 ft-lbs (140 Nm), tightened with a 19mm socket on M12x1.5 studs. Torque in a star pattern in two passes (snug, then final), and re-check after the first 50–100 miles of driving. Use a calibrated torque wrench — not an impact gun — for the final pass.

Lug nut torque: 100 ft-lbs (140 Nm) · Socket size: 19mm · Thread: M12x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. Use it before any maintenance or repair job where torque values matter — brake work, wheel changes, suspension service, engine teardowns, or oil changes. Specs are pulled from manufacturer service literature, cross-checked against community data, and updated as new chassis variants become available.

GM lug-nut torque clusters around 140 ft-lbs (190 Nm) for half-ton Silverado/Sierra and 100 ft-lbs for passenger cars like Malibu, Impala, and Cruze. GM heavy-duty trucks (2500HD/3500HD) jump to 165 ft-lbs. Most GM passenger cars use a 19mm socket; trucks moved from 22mm to 22mm-with-deep-well in 2014. Watch for GM's flat-flange lug nut design on the Silverado — the standard cone-seat aftermarket lugs will not seat correctly.

Common fastener categories on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt

Wheel / lug nut torque and thread spec (covered above)
Brake caliper bracket bolts (typically 80-130 ft-lbs) and slide/guide pins (18-35 ft-lbs)
Engine oil drain plug torque — rarely above 30 ft-lbs; always use a new crush washer
Transmission pan, valve cover, and intake manifold bolts (low torque, often 89-106 in-lbs)
Suspension control arm, sway bar, tie rod end and ball joint torque
Spark plug torque (typically 10-15 ft-lbs on aluminum heads — do not exceed)
Differential cover bolts (RWD/4WD only) and transfer case fasteners

Repair guidance for this model year

For 2008 model-year work: Always use a calibrated torque wrench for safety-critical fasteners, and replace lock washers and crush washers on every reassembly.

Tools you will need

Metric socket set (8mm-22mm), 6-point impact-rated
Calibrated torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs covers most automotive jobs; add a 0-250 ft-lbs wrench for truck lug nuts)
Breaker bar (24" minimum) for initial loosening
Penetrating oil (PB Blaster or Kroil) for any fastener over 5 years old
Anti-seize on stainless or dissimilar-metal threads; thread-locker (Loctite blue) on critical reassembly

Frequently asked questions

What is the lug nut torque on a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt is 100 ft-lbs (140 Nm), using a 19mm socket on M12x1.5 thread studs. Use a calibrated torque wrench in a star pattern, in two passes (50% and 100%), and re-check after 50-100 miles of driving.

What socket size do I need for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt lug nuts?

The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt uses a 19mm socket. A 6-point impact-rated socket is recommended over a 12-point chrome socket — 12-points round off lug nuts under impact-driver use.

Are the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt fasteners metric or SAE?

Metric is the standard for this vehicle. Most fasteners on this vehicle are metric (M6, M8, M10, M12, M14). Bring a full metric set; SAE substitutes can round the head. Bolt-head markings are the fastest way to confirm grade and material at the bench.

Other Chevrolet Cobalt years

Same model, different model year — fastener spec may change. Always confirm against the year for your VIN.

→ 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

→ 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt axle nut torque spec (CV axle & hub nut)

All 24 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt, sourced from OEM service literature and verified against community shop data. Values pair imperial (ft-lb) and metric (Nm) where the manufacturer publishes both. 23 of the 24 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data.

Wheels — 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. plan for a 19mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 100 ft-lbs (140 Nm) (lug nut). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature.

Brakes — 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt

Brake fasteners on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. Front brake caliper bolt (ss/lnf) tightens to 96 ft-lbs (130 Nm). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. The front brake caliper guide-pin bolt, torqued to 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm). OEM-verified spec. The front brake caliper bracket bolt torques to 85 ft-lbs (115 Nm). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature.

Engine — 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. The spark plug, torqued to 15 ft-lbs (20 Nm). OEM-verified spec. The engine oil drain plug torques to 18 ft-lbs (25 Nm). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature.

Drivetrain — 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. The front axle/hub nut torques to 155 ft-lbs (210 Nm).

Suspension — 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. plan for the right driver; final torque is 89 ft-lbs (120 Nm) (strut-to-knuckle bolt). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. Stabilizer link-to-strut nut tightens to 48 ft-lbs (65 Nm). OEM-verified spec. The strut shaft top nut, torqued to 52 ft-lbs (70 Nm). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. The stabilizer bar clamp bolt torques to 37 ft-lbs (50 Nm). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. plan for the right driver; final torque is 50 ft-lbs (68 Nm) (lower ball joint-to-control arm bolts). OEM-verified spec. Rear wheel bearing/hub nuts tightens to 33 ft-lbs (45 Nm) + 30 deg. Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. The lower control arm-to-front frame bolt, torqued to 41 ft-lbs (55 Nm). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. The lower ball joint-to-knuckle nut torques to 37 ft-lbs then reverse 3/4 turn then 37 ft-lbs + 30 deg (50 Nm). OEM-verified spec. plan for the right driver; final torque is 81 ft-lbs (110 Nm) (rear shock lower bolt). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. Front wheel hub-to-knuckle bolts tightens to 85 ft-lbs (115 Nm). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. The strut-to-body upper mount nut, torqued to 15 ft-lbs (20 Nm). OEM-verified spec. The rear axle bushing through bolts torques to 66 ft-lbs (90 Nm) + 60 deg. Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. plan for the right driver; final torque is 74 ft-lbs (100 Nm) + 180 deg (lower control arm-to-rear frame bolt). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data.

Steering — 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt

Steering linkage fasteners on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. Outer tie rod end nut tightens to 18 ft-lbs (25 Nm) + 90 deg. OEM-verified spec. The steering gear-to-frame bolt, torqued to 81 ft-lbs (110 Nm). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature.

Transmission — 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt

Transmission fasteners on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The manual transaxle fluid fill/level plug, torqued to 37 ft-lbs (50 Nm). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. The automatic transaxle oil level control plug torques to 106 lb-in (12 Nm) (1/8-27 NPTF thread). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data.

New to torquing wheels? Read our How lug nut torque works — the complete guide for star-pattern sequence, re-torque intervals, and how to read a lug spec — then use the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt numbers above.

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