1996 Nissan Altima Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 1996 Nissan Altima lug nut torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm), tightened with a Hex socket on M12x1.25 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: Hex · Thread: M12x1.25.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 1996 Nissan Altima. 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.

Nissan lug-nut torque is 83 ft-lbs (113 Nm) for nearly every passenger model since 2000 with an M12x1.25 thread (note: tighter pitch than Toyota/Honda's M12x1.5 — the lugs do not cross-thread cleanly with neighboring makes). Socket size is 21mm. Titans and Armadas use a larger M14x1.5 thread at 133 ft-lbs.

Common fastener categories on the 1996 Nissan Altima

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 1996 Nissan Altima 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 1996 Nissan Altima?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 1996 Nissan Altima is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm), using a Hex socket on M12x1.25 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 1996 Nissan Altima lug nuts?

The 1996 Nissan Altima uses a Hex 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 1996 Nissan Altima 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 Nissan Altima years

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

→ 1996 Nissan Altima oil drain plug torque & size

→ 1996 Nissan Altima suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 17 1996 Nissan Altima fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 1996 Nissan Altima, sourced from OEM service literature and verified against community shop data. Values pair imperial (ft-lb) and metric (Nm) where the manufacturer publishes both. 9 of the 17 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data.

Wheels — 1996 Nissan Altima

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 1996 Nissan Altima. For the wheel hub, plan for a Hex tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) (wheel lug nut).

Brakes — 1996 Nissan Altima

Brake fasteners on the 1996 Nissan Altima — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. Brake caliper bolt tightens to 32-36 ft-lbs, takes a 14mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the front brake caliper. The brake caliper pin bolt uses a Hex drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 16-23 ft-lbs (22-31 Nm) at the brake caliper slide pin. OEM-verified spec. At the front/rear brake caliper, the brake caliper mounting bolt torques to 53-72 ft-lbs (72-97 Nm) (Hex drive, M14x1.5 thread). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature.

Engine — 1996 Nissan Altima

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 1996 Nissan Altima, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. The intake manifold bolt uses a Hex drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 15-20 ft-lbs (21-26 Nm) at the intake manifold. OEM-verified spec. At the oil pan, the oil drain plug torques to 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm) (14mm drive, M12x1.25 thread). For the oil pan - upper, plan for a Hex tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 12-14 ft-lbs (16-19 Nm) (oil pan bolt (10mm)). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. Oil pan bolt (8mm) tightens to 5 ft-lbs (7 Nm), takes a Hex driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the oil pan - lower. OEM-verified spec. The oil filter uses a Canister drive on a M20x1.5 thread, torqued to Hand tight (18 Nm) at the engine block. Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. At the valve cover, the valve cover bolt torques to 4-8 ft-lbs (5-11 Nm), 2-step (Hex drive, M8x1.25 thread). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data.

Suspension — 1996 Nissan Altima

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 1996 Nissan Altima — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. At the rear shock mount, the rear shock upper bolt torques to 29-36 ft-lbs (39-49 Nm) upper mount nut (Hex drive, M12x1.25 thread). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. For the front suspension, plan for a 19mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 85-94 ft-lbs (lower control arm bolt). Front strut lower bolt tightens to 87-108 ft-lbs (118-147 Nm), takes a Hex driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the strut to knuckle. OEM-verified spec.

Transmission — 1996 Nissan Altima

Transmission fasteners on the 1996 Nissan Altima. For the transmission pan, plan for a Hex tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is See manual (transmission drain plug).

General — 1996 Nissan Altima

General fasteners on the 1996 Nissan Altima. Rear shock lower bolt tightens to 70-85 ft-lbs, takes a Hex driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the rear axle. The spark plug uses a Hex drive on a M14x1.25 thread, torqued to 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm) at the cylinder head.

Wheels & Tires — 1996 Nissan Altima

Wheels & Tires fasteners on the 1996 Nissan Altima. The lug nut uses a 21mm drive on a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) at the wheel hub.

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 1996 Nissan Altima numbers above.

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