2010 Nissan Xterra Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2010 Nissan Xterra lug nut torque is 98 ft-lb, tightened with a 19mm 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: 98 ft-lb · Socket size: 19mm · Thread: M12x1.25.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2010 Nissan Xterra. 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 2010 Nissan Xterra

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 2010 model-year work: This era introduced widespread torque-to-yield (TTY) bolts on head, main, and crank pulley fasteners. TTY bolts stretch permanently when torqued and must not be reused — the spec calls for a fresh bolt every time. Always verify TTY status against the FSM before 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 2010 Nissan Xterra?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2010 Nissan Xterra is 98 ft-lb, using a 19mm 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 2010 Nissan Xterra lug nuts?

The 2010 Nissan Xterra 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 2010 Nissan Xterra 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 Xterra years

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

→ 2010 Nissan Xterra oil drain plug torque & size

→ 2010 Nissan Xterra suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 70 2010 Nissan Xterra fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2010 Nissan Xterra, sourced from OEM service literature and verified against community shop data. Values pair imperial (ft-lb) and metric (Nm) where the manufacturer publishes both.

Brakes — 2010 Nissan Xterra

Brake fasteners on the 2010 Nissan Xterra — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. For the rear caliper, plan for a 10mm hex tool on a M8 stud; final torque is 19 ft-lb (rear caliper slide pin). Rear caliper bracket bolt tightens to 76 ft-lb, takes a 14mm hex driver, runs on M12 threads, located at the rear axle. The rear brake caliper bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 28-38 ft-lb at the rear brake caliper. At the front caliper, the front caliper slide pin torques to 32 ft-lb (12mm hex drive, M10 thread). For the rear brake caliper bracket, plan for a 19mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 53-72 ft-lb (rear brake caliper bracket bolt). Brake master cylinder nut tightens to 8-12 ft-lb, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the brake master cylinder. The front brake caliper slide pin bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 20-27 ft-lb at the front brake caliper. At the front brake caliper bracket, the front brake caliper bracket bolt torques to 72-87 ft-lb (19mm drive, M12x1.25 thread). For the front knuckle, plan for a 17mm hex tool on a M12 stud; final torque is 136 ft-lb (front caliper bracket bolt).

Engine — 2010 Nissan Xterra

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2010 Nissan Xterra, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. Oil pan upper bolt tightens to 13-15 ft-lb, takes a 13mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the oil pan. The valve cover bolt uses a 10mm drive on a M6x1.0 thread, torqued to 2-4 ft-lb at the valve cover. At the cylinder head, the cylinder head bolt stage 1 torques to 29 ft-lb (17mm drive, M11x1.25 thread). For the cylinder head, plan for a 17mm tool on a M11x1.25 stud; final torque is 90 deg turn (cylinder head bolt stage 2). Timing chain tensioner bolt tightens to 13-15 ft-lb, takes a 13mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the timing chain. The main bearing cap bolt stage 1 uses a 17mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 29 ft-lb at the main bearing. At the cylinder head, the spark plug torques to 18 ft-lb (5/8" (16mm) drive, M14x1.25 thread). For the intake manifold, plan for a 13mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 13-15 ft-lb (intake manifold bolt). Camshaft sprocket bolt tightens to 65-76 ft-lb, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the camshaft. The main bearing cap bolt stage 2 uses a 17mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 90 deg turn at the main bearing. At the flywheel, the flywheel/flexplate bolt torques to 61-69 ft-lb (19mm drive, M12x1.25 thread). For the oil pan, plan for a 19mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 25 ft-lb (oil pan drain plug). Front cover bolt tightens to 13-15 ft-lb, takes a 13mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the front cover. The water pump bolt uses a 13mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 13-18 ft-lb at the water pump. At the engine oil pan, the oil drain plug torques to 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm) (15mm hex drive, M12x1.25 thread). For the connecting rod, plan for a 14mm tool on a M9x1.0 stud; final torque is 90 deg turn (connecting rod cap bolt stage 2). Thermostat housing bolt tightens to 13-15 ft-lb, takes a 13mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the thermostat housing. The oil pan lower bolt uses a 10mm drive on a M6x1.0 thread, torqued to 4-6 ft-lb at the oil pan. At the connecting rod, the connecting rod cap bolt stage 1 torques to 15 ft-lb (14mm drive, M9x1.0 thread). For the crankshaft, plan for a 32mm tool on a M22x1.5 stud; final torque is 33 ft-lb (crankshaft pulley bolt stage 1). Oil filter adapter bolt tightens to 29-33 ft-lb, takes a 30mm driver, runs on M20x1.5 threads, located at the oil filter. The crankshaft pulley bolt stage 2 uses a 32mm drive on a M22x1.5 thread, torqued to 90 deg turn at the crankshaft. At the exhaust manifold, the exhaust manifold nut torques to 20-23 ft-lb (17mm drive, M10x1.25 thread).

Drivetrain — 2010 Nissan Xterra

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2010 Nissan Xterra — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. The rear axle hub nut uses a 36mm drive on a M24x1.5 thread, torqued to 152-203 ft-lb at the rear axle hub. At the rear differential, the rear differential drain plug torques to 26-33 ft-lb (27mm drive, M18x1.5 thread). For the front driveshaft, plan for a 17mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 29-33 ft-lb (front driveshaft-to-transfer case bolt). Rear driveshaft-to-differential bolt tightens to 29-33 ft-lb, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the rear driveshaft. The front axle hub nut uses a 36mm drive on a M24x1.5 thread, torqued to 152-210 ft-lb at the front axle hub. At the wheel hub, the wheel lug nut torques to 98 ft-lb (19mm drive, M12x1.25 thread). For the front differential, plan for a 27mm tool on a M18x1.5 stud; final torque is 26-33 ft-lb (front differential drain plug). Transfer case mounting bolt tightens to 27-38 ft-lb, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the transfer case.

Suspension — 2010 Nissan Xterra

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2010 Nissan Xterra — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. At the torsion bar, the torsion bar arm bolt torques to 72-87 ft-lb (22mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the rear shock, plan for a 22mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 58-72 ft-lb (rear shock absorber lower bolt). Front strut upper mount nut tightens to 29-40 ft-lb, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the front strut mount. The rear leaf spring u-bolt nut uses a 22mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 72-87 ft-lb at the rear leaf spring. At the front lower control arm, the front lower control arm rear bolt torques to 80-105 ft-lb (22mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the front lower control arm, plan for a 22mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 80-105 ft-lb (front lower control arm front bolt). Front strut-to-knuckle bolt tightens to 99-117 ft-lb, takes a 22mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the front strut. The front stabilizer bar clamp bolt uses a 13mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 22-30 ft-lb at the front sway bar. At the rear shock, the rear shock absorber upper nut torques to 22-30 ft-lb (19mm drive, M12x1.25 thread). For the front lca, plan for a 19mm hex tool on a M14 stud; final torque is 70 ft-lb (front lower control arm ball joint). Front stabilizer bar link nut tightens to 30-40 ft-lb, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the front sway bar.

Steering — 2010 Nissan Xterra

Steering linkage fasteners on the 2010 Nissan Xterra. For the idler arm, plan for a 19mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 33-40 ft-lb (idler arm-to-frame bolt). Power steering gear bolt tightens to 62-71 ft-lb, takes a 22mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the steering gearbox. The pitman arm nut uses a 27mm drive on a M18x1.5 thread, torqued to 174-195 ft-lb at the pitman arm. At the tie rod, the tie rod sleeve clamp bolt torques to 8-10 ft-lb (13mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). For the steering column, plan for a 17mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 17-22 ft-lb (steering shaft pinch bolt). Tie rod end castle nut tightens to 40-72 ft-lb, takes a 22mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the tie rod.

Body — 2010 Nissan Xterra

Body fasteners on the 2010 Nissan Xterra. Engine mount bolt tightens to 40-49 ft-lb, takes a 22mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the engine mount. The skid plate bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 22-27 ft-lb at the skid plate. At the subframe, the subframe/crossmember bolt torques to 87-108 ft-lb (22mm drive, M14x1.5 thread).

Exhaust — 2010 Nissan Xterra

Exhaust fasteners on the 2010 Nissan Xterra. The exhaust flex pipe bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 20-27 ft-lb at the exhaust flex pipe. At the muffler, the muffler hanger bolt torques to 14-20 ft-lb (13mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). For the exhaust manifold flange, plan for a 17mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 20-23 ft-lb (exhaust manifold-to-head nut). Catalytic converter bolt tightens to 27-33 ft-lb, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the catalytic converter.

Transmission — 2010 Nissan Xterra

Transmission fasteners on the 2010 Nissan Xterra. At the transmission pan, the transmission drain plug torques to 22-26 ft-lb (30mm drive, M20x1.5 thread). For the transmission pan, plan for a 13mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 5-8 ft-lb (transmission oil pan bolt). Torque converter bolt tightens to 29-36 ft-lb, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the torque converter. The transmission crossmember bolt uses a 19mm drive on a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 30-38 ft-lb at the transmission mount. At the bellhousing, the transmission-to-engine bolt torques to 29-36 ft-lb (19mm drive, M12x1.25 thread).

Wheel Hardware — 2010 Nissan Xterra

Wheel Hardware fasteners on the 2010 Nissan Xterra. For the all wheels, plan for a 22mm hex tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) (lug nut).

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 2010 Nissan Xterra numbers above.

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