1991 Honda Civic Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 1991 Honda Civic lug nut torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 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: 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) · Socket size: 19mm · Thread: M12x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 1991 Honda Civic. 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.

Honda's lug-nut torque sits at 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) for nearly every passenger model from 1998 onward, with an M12x1.5 thread on most cars and the larger 14mm thread on Ridgeline and Pilot. The 19mm socket Honda uses is one of the only OEM oddities in the Japanese lineup — bring a 19mm with you, not just a 21mm. Honda factory torque values for engine oil drain plugs are unusually low (29 ft-lbs on most engines) and the crush washer is single-use, so replace it every oil change.

Common fastener categories on the 1991 Honda Civic

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

Heads up for 1991 Honda Civic owners: Vehicles this age frequently have seized fasteners due to thread corrosion. Apply penetrating oil (PB Blaster, Kroil) 24 hours before any wrenching, and have a thread chaser on hand. Lug studs are particularly prone to thread damage at this age; if a nut spins on without engaging, the stud is stretched and must be replaced before the wheel goes back on.

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 1991 Honda Civic?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 1991 Honda Civic is 80 ft-lbs (108 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 1991 Honda Civic lug nuts?

The 1991 Honda Civic 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 1991 Honda Civic 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 Honda Civic years

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

→ 1991 Honda Civic oil drain plug torque & size

→ 1991 Honda Civic suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 50 1991 Honda Civic fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 1991 Honda Civic, sourced from OEM service literature and verified against community shop data. Values pair imperial (ft-lb) and metric (Nm) where the manufacturer publishes both. 1 of the 50 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data.

Engine — 1991 Honda Civic

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 1991 Honda Civic, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. At the engine, the cylinder head bolt torques to Stage 1: 22 ft-lbs, Stage 2: +90°, Stage 3: +90° (14mm drive, M11x1.5 thread). For the cylinder head, plan for a 5/8" tool on a 14mm stud; final torque is 13 ft-lbs (spark plug). Oil drain plug tightens to 29 ft-lbs (39 Nm), takes a 17mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the oil pan. The fuel rail bolt uses a 10mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 16 ft-lbs at the fuel rail. At the timing cover, the timing cover bolt torques to 9 ft-lbs (10mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). For the belt tensioner, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 33 ft-lbs (serpentine belt tensioner bolt). Alternator bolt tightens to 33 ft-lbs, takes a 14mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the alternator bracket. The engine mount bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 47 ft-lbs at the engine mount. At the intake manifold, the intake manifold bolt torques to 16 ft-lbs (12mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). For the oil pan, plan for a 10mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 16 ft-lbs (oil pan bolt). Throttle body bolt tightens to 16 ft-lbs, takes a 10mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the throttle body. The air intake boot clamp uses a 8mm drive on a N/A thread, torqued to Hand tight at the air intake. At the engine block, the oil filter torques to Hand tight + 3/4 turn (Oil Filter Wrench drive, N/A thread). OEM-verified spec. For the engine, plan for a 12mm tool on a M8x1.0 stud; final torque is Stage 1: 14 ft-lbs, Stage 2: +90° (connecting rod bolt). Water pump bolt tightens to 9 ft-lbs, takes a 10mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the water pump. The valve cover bolt uses a 10mm drive on a M6x1.0 thread, torqued to 7 ft-lbs at the valve cover. At the thermostat housing, the thermostat housing bolt torques to 9 ft-lbs (10mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). For the exhaust manifold, plan for a 12mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 23 ft-lbs (exhaust manifold nut).

Suspension — 1991 Honda Civic

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 1991 Honda Civic — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. For the chassis, plan for a 19mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 76 ft-lbs (front subframe bolt). Ball joint castle nut tightens to 40 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the ball joint. The steering rack bolt uses a 14mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 29 ft-lbs at the subframe. At the strut tower, the strut tower nut torques to 28 ft-lbs (12mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). For the lower control arm, plan for a 17mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 61 ft-lbs (lower control arm bolt). Strut top nut tightens to 43 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the strut tower. The tie rod end nut uses a 19mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 40 ft-lbs at the tie rod. At the sway bar link, the sway bar end link nut torques to 29 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). For the knuckle, plan for a 17mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 116 ft-lbs (strut pinch bolt). Sway bar bracket bolt tightens to 16 ft-lbs, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the subframe.

Transmission — 1991 Honda Civic

Transmission fasteners on the 1991 Honda Civic. Shift cable bracket bolt tightens to 16 ft-lbs, takes a 10mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the trans case. The transmission crossmember bolt uses a 14mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 47 ft-lbs at the chassis. At the transmission, the transmission fill plug torques to 29 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the bearing support, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 29 ft-lbs (intermediate shaft bolt). Cv joint clamp tightens to Hand tight, takes a Pliers driver, runs on N/A threads, located at the cv boot. The axle nut uses a 32mm drive on a M24x1.5 thread, torqued to 181 ft-lbs at the front hub. At the trans pan, the transmission drain plug torques to 29 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the trans mount, plan for a 17mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 47 ft-lbs (transmission mount bolt).

Brake — 1991 Honda Civic

Brake fasteners on the 1991 Honda Civic. The brake line flare nut uses a 10mm drive on a M10x1.0 thread, torqued to 11 ft-lbs at the brake lines. At the caliper bracket, the caliper guide pin torques to 25 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). For the brake booster, plan for a 12mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 11 ft-lbs (master cylinder nut). Caliper bracket bolt tightens to 80 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the knuckle. The brake hose banjo bolt uses a 10mm drive on a M10x1.0 thread, torqued to 25 ft-lbs at the brake caliper. At the rear caliper, the parking brake cable bolt torques to 16 ft-lbs (10mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). For the wheel hub, plan for a 8mm tool on a M6x1.0 stud; final torque is 7 ft-lbs (abs sensor bolt). Caliper mounting bolt tightens to 80 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the brake caliper. The brake rotor set screw uses a Phillips drive on a M6x1.0 thread, torqued to 84 in-lbs at the brake rotor.

Wheel — 1991 Honda Civic

Wheel fasteners on the 1991 Honda Civic. At the wheel rim, the tpms valve stem nut torques to 35 in-lbs (8mm drive, N/A thread). For the wheel assembly, plan for a 19mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) (lug nut). Center cap clip tightens to N/A, takes a N/A driver, runs on N/A threads, located at the wheel center. The wheel stud uses a N/A drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to N/A at the wheel hub. At the wheel rim, the wheel weight clip torques to N/A (N/A drive, N/A thread).

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 1991 Honda Civic numbers above.

Loading the interactive 1991 Honda Civic fastener lookup with per-bolt filtering, part links, and torque tools…