I just bought my first after market part and am confused why they included SAE bolts & nuts? The instructions call for metric tools to remove stock parts and SAE tools for the replacements?

Um... why?

What is the advantage - to me as the customer - to have to carry two sets of tools... one for the OEM parts and one for the after market?

I think I'll end up replacing the bolts & nuts with metric and throw the SAE stuff out.

Am I missing something?

Jamie

 

All I can think of, without a more detailed description, is the original part was made to metric specs, (made overseas), and the new part is made to SAE specs, (made in the US).

Changing the fasteners is an option provided you get an equal or better grade of bolts and nuts.

 

In this instance it's an evap skid - it reuses the stock hardware in some locations but where it adds fasteners they're all SAE.

Just doesn't make any sense to me

Good advice on the strength/grade issue!

Jamie

 

I never really think of having a set of both being an inconvenience of any sort. It's really a necessity when messing with most any cars.

 

Ugh, I hate SAE. Who needs all those fractions when you can use simple millimeters.

 

here in america, it's cheaper and easier to find sae hardware. that's all.

 

Heck, even the metrics aren't all that simple. You can still buy many sets of tools that skip right over the 16-mm size. Since the JK uses this size, you'd think tool sets would routinely include them. But they often don't--because there's a good SAE equivalent (5/8"). There are other sizes with similar SAE equivalents. Another good reason to carry SAE tools: If you stop to help someone out, they might have a lot of SAE fasteners that you need to wrench.

BTW: A long time ago I swapped the flywheel in my (then) wife's (not Curtis' mom, a different lady) Ford Pinto. Had to pull the auto tranny. In the maintenance manual was a big warning that the studs that went into engine block, the ones that the bell housing attached to, were metric on the transmission side, and SAE on the engine side. They were almost identical, but were not. Inadvertently turning the stud around, should you remove it, would result in stripping the threads on the block and the stud. Apparently Ford decided that year to make the engine all SAE, and everything past this artificial plane metric. And that screw, since it crossed the plane, was one of each. Crazy stuff. Personally, I blame this whole mess on the folks who had trouble with fractions in grade school. LOL.

 

First off, this is NOT to slam americans. This is solely my opinion and there will be many who disagree with me. The metric measurement system has become a universally accepted standard everywhere else but the USA. Americans proudly tout the quality of "made in the US" parts, I'm not contending this. But, they are still using a very outdated SAE system of measurments. I personally believe that the metric system is much more comprehensive yet simpler to utilize. Would I like to see the States move to metric? Sure would make things much easier on everyone. Will it happen? Not a chance.

 

LOL I don't have trouble with the fractions... I am just biased because my mechanical background came from working in a shop that dealt with overseas machines and I became accustomed to the metric system, and I do think it is simpler.
I have aquired a bunch of "standard" tools now too, but like you said, it's just a PIA to have to deal with two sets of tools sometimes to find the correct wrench or socket.

 

The US has recognized the advantages of the metric system for decades. They tried to convert when I was a kid. It IS slowly happening, though.