What is the bolt pattern on a Subaru Legacy?
The Subaru Legacy typically uses a 5x100 mm bolt pattern (five lug holes on a 100 mm circle) with a hub bore of 56.1 mm. This is the standard for most North American models across several generations, but there are rare exceptions by year or market. The following sections explain what these numbers mean and how to verify them for your specific car.
Bolt pattern basics for the Legacy
The numbers you’ll see when shopping for wheels describe how the wheel attaches to the car and how well it centers on the hub. For the Legacy, the core specifications are:
- Bolt pattern: 5 bolts on a 100 mm circle (5x100).
- Center bore: 56.1 mm (hub-centric fit on most Legacy hubs).
- Lug hardware: typically M12 x 1.25 thread with a 60-degree conical seat (verify your wheel spec).
- Hub centering: most Legacy wheels are hub-centric with a 56.1 mm bore; aftermarket wheels may be lug-centric and require spacers/adapters if the bore differs.
Knowing these specs helps ensure compatibility, braking clearance, and proper centering when selecting replacement wheels or aftermarket options.
How to verify the bolt pattern for your specific Legacy
To be precise about your car, confirm using these steps:
- Check the owner's manual or Subaru's official spec sheets for your exact year and market.
- Look at the data plate on the driver’s door jamb or the glove box/maintenance documents for wheel specs.
- Measure the bolt circle: draw an imaginary circle through the centers of the lug holes and measure its diameter in millimeters.
- Measure the center bore on the hub (or wheel hub) and compare to the typical 56.1 mm figure.
- Consult a Subaru dealer or a trusted wheel retailer with your VIN to confirm the precise specs for your vehicle.
With these steps, you can confirm the exact bolt pattern and center bore for your Legacy and avoid mounting issues.
Variations across generations and markets
While 5x100 mm is the standard for most Legacy models, there have been regional or generation-specific exceptions. If you’re working with a very old model or a non-North American market, verify the bolt pattern before purchasing wheels or adapters.
Regional and generation notes
Some early or region-specific Legacy variants may differ from the common 5x100 pattern. Always confirm using VIN-based data, official Subaru documentation, or a reputable parts professional. When in doubt, contact a dealer or wheel specialist to verify exact specs for your car.
Summary
In short, the typical bolt pattern for the Subaru Legacy is 5x100 mm with a 56.1 mm center bore. This baseline guides wheel selection, but always verify the exact specifications for your particular model year and market to account for any rare variations. Consulting the owner's manual or a Subaru dealer ensures accuracy.
