2008 Hyundai Elantra Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2008 Hyundai Elantra lug nut torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm), tightened with a 21mm 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: 21mm · Thread: M12x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra. 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.

Hyundai/Kia lug-nut torque is 79-88 ft-lbs on nearly all passenger models, M12x1.5 thread, 21mm socket. The Tucson, Sportage, and Santa Fe all use the same fastener spec. Hyundai's oil drain plug threads are unusually fine-pitch and strip easily — always use a torque wrench, not feel.

Common fastener categories on the 2008 Hyundai Elantra

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 Hyundai Elantra?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm), using a 21mm 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 Hyundai Elantra lug nuts?

The 2008 Hyundai Elantra uses a 21mm 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 Hyundai Elantra 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 Hyundai Elantra years

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

→ 2008 Hyundai Elantra oil drain plug torque & size

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

All 34 2008 Hyundai Elantra fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, sourced from OEM service literature and verified against community shop data. Values pair imperial (ft-lb) and metric (Nm) where the manufacturer publishes both. 3 of the 34 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data.

Wheels — 2008 Hyundai Elantra

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The lug nut uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) at the all four wheels. At the wheel studs, the lug nuts torques to 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) (21mm drive, M12x1.5 thread).

Brakes — 2008 Hyundai Elantra

Brake fasteners on the 2008 Hyundai Elantra — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. At the rotor to hub (front and rear), the rotor retaining screw torques to 5-8 Nm (4-6 ft-lb) (#3 Phillips drive, M6 x 1.0 thread). For the rear caliper body to rear caliper bracket (slide/guide pins), plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 22-32 Nm (16-24 ft-lb) (rear caliper slide pin bolts). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. Rear caliper bracket bolts tightens to 63-73 Nm (47-54 ft-lb), takes a 14mm driver, runs on M12x1.25 threads, located at the rear caliper bracket to rear axle carrier. The front caliper slide pin bolts uses a 14mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 22-32 Nm (16-24 ft-lb) at the caliper body to caliper bracket (slide/guide pins). OEM-verified spec. At the front caliper slide pin, the front brake caliper slide pin torques to 16-24 ft-lbs (12mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. For the front caliper bracket (carrier) to steering knuckle, plan for a 17mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 69-85 Nm (51-63 ft-lb) (front caliper bracket bolts). Front brake caliper bracket bolt tightens to 58-72 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.25 threads, located at the front brake caliper bracket.

Engine — 2008 Hyundai Elantra

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. For the bottom of oil pan, plan for a 17mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm) (oil drain plug (aluminum pan)). Camshaft sprocket bolt tightens to 100-120 Nm (74-89 ft-lb), takes a 17mm driver, runs on M14 x 1.5 threads, located at the camshaft sprocket(s). The oil drain plug uses a 17mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm) at the engine oil pan. At the connecting rod caps, the connecting rod cap nuts torques to 50-53 Nm (36-39 ft-lb) (14mm drive, M9 x 1.0 thread). For the main bearing caps, bottom of cylinder block, plan for a 12mm tool on a M10 x 1.25 stud; final torque is 27.5-31.4 Nm (20.3-23.1 ft-lb) + 60-64° (main bearing cap bolts). Intake manifold bolts/nuts tightens to 16-23 Nm (12-17 ft-lb), takes a 12mm driver, runs on M8 x 1.25 threads, located at the intake manifold to cylinder head. The cylinder head bolts - m10 uses a 12mm (12-point) drive on a M10 x 1.25 thread, torqued to 22.6-26.5 Nm (16.6-19.5 ft-lb) + 60-65° + 60-65° at the cylinder head to block, m10 bolts. At the front of crankshaft, the crankshaft pulley bolt torques to 160-170 Nm (120-125 ft-lb) (22mm drive, M14 x 1.5 thread). For the timing belt tensioner bracket, front of engine, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10 x 1.25 stud; final torque is 43-55 Nm (32-40 ft-lb) (timing belt tensioner bolt). Oil pan bolts tightens to 9.8-11.8 Nm (7.2-8.7 ft-lb), takes a 10mm driver, runs on M8 x 1.25 threads, located at the oil pan to block. The valve cover bolt uses a 10mm drive on a M6x1.0 thread, torqued to 6-8 ft-lbs at the valve cover. At the cylinder head, one per cylinder, the spark plugs torques to 20-30 Nm (15-22 ft-lb) (16mm spark plug socket drive, M12 x 1.25 thread). For the cylinder head to block, m12 bolts (2 outboard bolts), plan for a 12mm (12-point) tool on a M12 x 1.25 stud; final torque is 27.5-31.4 Nm (20.3-23.1 ft-lb) + 60-65° + 60-65° (cylinder head bolts - m12). Exhaust manifold nuts tightens to 43-55 Nm (32-40 ft-lb), takes a 12mm driver, runs on M8 x 1.25 threads, located at the exhaust manifold studs at cylinder head. The valve cover bolts uses a 10mm drive on a M6 x 1.0 thread, torqued to 7.8-9.8 Nm (5.8-7.2 ft-lb) at the cylinder head cover. At the cylinder head, the spark plug torques to 15-22 ft-lbs (5/8" drive, M14x1.25 thread).

Suspension — 2008 Hyundai Elantra

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. Front hub / axle nut tightens to 255 Nm (188 ft-lb), takes a 32mm driver, runs on M24 x 1.5 threads, located at the front axle/driveshaft nut at front hub. The rear shock lower bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M12 x 1.25 thread, torqued to 80-110 Nm (59-81 ft-lb) at the rear shock absorber lower mounting to torsion beam axle. At the front sway bar end link to front strut assembly, the sway bar end link nut torques to 98.1-117.7 Nm (72.3-86.8 ft-lb) (17mm drive, M12 x 1.25 thread). For the tie rod end to steering knuckle, plan for a 17mm tool on a M12 x 1.25 stud; final torque is 24-34 Nm (18-25 ft-lb) (tie rod end nut). Front strut top nut tightens to 40-50 Nm (29-36 ft-lb), takes a 17mm with hex hold driver, runs on M14 x 1.5 threads, located at the front strut shaft top nut (strut tower). The rear hub / axle nut uses a 32mm drive on a M24 x 1.5 thread, torqued to 200-260 Nm (148-192 ft-lb) at the rear hub bearing flange nut. At the front wheel hub/axle, the front hub/bearing nut torques to 148-192 ft-lbs (32mm drive, M24x1.5 thread). For the lower control arm to subframe and to knuckle, plan for a 17-19mm tool on a M14 x 1.5 stud; final torque is 98.1-117.7 Nm (72.3-86.8 ft-lb) (front lower control arm bolts). Front strut to knuckle bolts tightens to 110-130 Nm (81-96 ft-lb), takes a 17mm bolt / 19mm nut driver, runs on M14 x 1.5 threads, located at the front strut lower bracket to steering knuckle (pinch bolts).

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 Hyundai Elantra numbers above.

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