Quick question

[Bagherra]

At work now, niece needs me to remove the alternator on her 2003 Ford Taurus...

Off the top of my head, cant recall if it's metric or SAE...

I only have SAE at work but got metric in my truck.

Which is it?

Thanx in advance!

 

[Bill Bowman]

Metric

 

[Shehzada]

What vehicles use SAE....if any?

I have worked on BMW, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti, Acura......and they were all metric.

Also did a Lincoln.....but can't remember that one.

Sent from my mobile device

 

[gatlibs]

What vehicles use SAE....if any?

I have worked on BMW, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti, Acura......and they were all metric.

Also did a Lincoln.....but can't remember that one.

Sent from my mobile device

A listing of foreign cars with an expectation of domestic units is a bit silly. Pretty much everything is metric now, but some things like lug nuts and certain lines take domestic sizes like 3/4" and 5/16". Lug nuts have metric equivalents for sure, though.

 

[bcschief]

SAE tools are becoming obsolete very quickly. I don't know why tool companies are still selling them.

Brian

 

[rlitman]

What vehicles use SAE....if any?...

My Wrangler is MOSTLY metric, but I've encountered a small smattering of SAE. My Lincoln was entirely metric.

I don't think there's much SAE on vehicles made in the past decade, and for engine parts, I would very much not expect to encounter anything SAE.

 

[Spacey_G]

SAE tools are becoming obsolete very quickly. I don't know why tool companies are still selling them.

Tool companies still sell them because there's still tons of equipment with inch size fasteners. Auto mechanics are not the only people who buy and use tools.

 

[M6erfan]

A listing of foreign cars with an expectation of domestic units is a bit silly...

 

[Two Speed]

What vehicles use SAE....if any?

If you are in North America, I hope you are yanking our chain, because, LOTS of sae is still to be found out there.

 

[Bagherra]

Thanx guys..

I remember our military helicopters still are SAE

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I found some on my ''08 Ram , I still can't get used to not calling it a Dodge. The skid plate was held on with SAE. They show up in odd places.

On that list, with the German cars, you can run into ZNX, I think that's what they are called, socket head cap screws. (A deluxe Torx like) Since I mentioned Torx, don't forget those either, male and female.

 

[ptgarcia]

I have a question for the auto mechanics: On vehicles with both SAE and metric fasteners how do you know which system a particular fastener is on? I typically try metric first then move to SAE if I can't find a good fitting tool. Is that typically what you do? FYI, I'm not a mechanic, just a home DIYer.

 

[Davefr]

Tool companies still sell them because there's still tons of equipment with inch size fasteners. Auto mechanics are not the only people who buy and use tools.

^^^What he said!!!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Ford has been mostly metric since the early 80s. I say "most;y" because I am sure there were some oddball exceptions in that decade.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

On a Jeep Cherokee starter, the bolt into the block was SAE, the AMC six dates back to the '60s, whereas the other bolt was metric, a Japanese made starter . To keep things interesting, you have 12mm, 13mm and 1/2" bolt heads for 8mm and 5/16" bolts, which are basically the same size.

 

[xlowxyotax88x]

I hope it's not a dual overhead taurus or you'll be having fun.

 

[mudflap]

Industrial maintenance guys still need SAE.. plus some heavy equipment, emergency apparatus . I would say if your starting out, skip the chrome, and just buy impacts.

 

[DaveInPhilly]

My 06 Fusion was a mix of SAE and metric, don't remember exactly what I needed to swap out the alternator, but my guess is metric.

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

I have a question for the auto mechanics: On vehicles with both SAE and metric fasteners how do you know which system a particular fastener is on? I typically try metric first then move to SAE if I can't find a good fitting tool. Is that typically what you do? FYI, I'm not a mechanic, just a home DIYer.

After so many years of turning wrenches you can tell what it is just by sight. That and experience youll remember who uses what for various components.

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

Standard is still the standard for alot of equipment and trailers. Industrial maintenance and plumbing are still the same. SAE will continue to confuse mechanics for years to come...

 

[toolenthusiast]

My 06 Fusion was a mix of SAE and metric, don't remember exactly what I needed to swap out the alternator, but my guess is metric.

What, exactly, is SAE on a Fusion?

 

[Shehzada]

What, exactly, is SAE on a Fusion?

Interesting. Ford used SAE and metric fasteners.

Sent from my mobile device

 

[nelstomlinson]

Ford has been mostly metric since the early 80s. I say "most;y" because I am sure there were some oddball exceptions in that decade.

I have several late '80s and early '90s Ford diesel pickups. The International engine seems to be mostly SAE. Most of the body and undercarriage is SAE, with a smattering of metric.

My '74 John Deere uses nothing but God's preferred system: SAE.

 

[nelstomlinson]

SAE will continue to confuse mechanics for years to come...

Not once we finally dump that silly metric ****. It's really stupid to give foreigners an advantage in our domestic markets by tolerating their oddball ****. Let 'em produce to our standards if they want to sell here.

Want to have a job in America? Buy American.

 

[Fluelikesymptoms]

Tool companies still sell them because there's still tons of equipment with inch size fasteners. Auto mechanics are not the only people who buy and use tools.

Look out guys, we have a genius on the forums here.

In all seriousness he's right.

You still need sae. My dryer, fridge, and washer all use sae. I still get lag bolts that are sae. Alot of around the house are sae, plus industrial stuff

Most automotive is going to be metric. I'm a bit concerned if you dont know that if you should be working on your daughter's car. No offense or anything, just what if it goes wrong and she needs to get to work ya know