SAE vs. metric?

[GJa2038799]

I wondered if I could find out some info. on which applications use SAE fasteners and which use metric. What I found so far:

1) foreign vehicles use metric, incl. those assembled in the U.S.
2) U.S. vehicles currently use metric, used SAE in the past.
3) Some things around the home still use SAE. For example the casters on my office chair were getting loose, and a SAE combo wrench was ideal for tightening the hex nut between the caster and chair leg.
4) Not sure about home appliances (dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer, etc.)

 

[metaleltr]

Some home appliances are sae some are metric.

 

[kevinz]

anything GM from the 90s and early 2000s used a mix of sae and metric, the Vortec 4.3/5.0/5.7 were known for having bolts holding the same part on being one metric and one standard. bullcrap if you ask me...did an intake gasket set on a vortec 5.7 last week and had about 12 sockets of different sizes used to pull it.

 

[Jim C.]

The fasteners on my lawn mower appear to be SAE.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Industrial / equipment components are mostly metric these days - hydraulics parts - pumps / motors, etc. - which are newly designed within the last few years are fully metric while some hold-over items they have had in use forever are so common they have to keep them SAE for parts / repair reasons....but they all pretty much still have to meet SAE mounting / compatibility standards.
Industrial engines have all pretty much gone full metric.
Some specific mfrs who make things like high pressure pumps that serve the oil / gas and utilities industries are still made all in SAE.

 

[InsanePyro]

I've been using metric sockets on everything I've worked on for the past few years...I don't think I've ever ran into something where a metric socket wouldn't fit.

 

[mailpup]

Tools that require other tools to work like pullers that need wrenches for the forcing screw are usually SAE, particularly if the tool is made in the USA. Examples include gear pullers, bearing pullers, steering wheel pullers, pitman arm pullers, ball joint pullers and installers (OTC 7249), etc. Some exceptions are special service tools from Toyota, Honda and other foreign makes although they sometimes might use sizes that crossover from SAE like 19mm-3/4" or 16mm-5/8".

 

[nnySk]

Farm equipment a lot is still sae especially small company's. Even on my new case ih and jd hydraulic lines are sae.

 

[jaqattack02]

anything GM from the 90s and early 2000s used a mix of sae and metric, the Vortec 4.3/5.0/5.7 were known for having bolts holding the same part on being one metric and one standard. bullcrap if you ask me...did an intake gasket set on a vortec 5.7 last week and had about 12 sockets of different sizes used to pull it.

Gotta love GM. I can take apart just about my entire 300ZX with a 10, 12, 14, 17 and 19mm set of sockets.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Bigger gearboxes, large electric motors and construction fasteners tend to be all SAE. Heavy equipment usually is metric up to a certain point, then SAE on the bigger fasteners.

 

[Aberdale]

You're never going to get a complete accurate list of stuff. There's just too much stuff out there, and there's a chance that anything made since 1980 could be either, although the trend is towards all metric.

Just do what most of us do . . . stick a socket on the bolt. If it fits too loose, go down a size. If it doesn't go on, go up a size. If that doesn't work, go to the opposite set of sockets (from metric to SAE or from SAE to metric) and try again. It usually takes all of 10 seconds to figure out.

Keep in mind if you are working on older equipment that has seen a lot of heat cycling, or a lot of corrosion (exhaust manifolds come to mind), the opposite set of sockets may fit the fastener better than the original size.

 

[Erampu]

I work on a lot of old stuff, which is almost always SAE. Most newer stuff is metric.

 

[Gabastone]

I just put up a new Sears garage door opener. The tracks, tension springs, and mounting bolts were SAE; the bolts on the housing was metric.

I wonder how this list will change in 10 years time.....

 

[jzt]

The construction fasteners and lag bolts I've encountered were all SAE.

 

[jetmech09]

Aviation is 90% SAE.

 

[shoturtle]

Most motorcycles are metric, including the v-rod series H-D. But if you get a TC or Sporty it is all SAE.

 

[Hawk Thor]

I run into SAE on ships built in Chile and the USA, and on ships that are or were owned by Canadians. I focus on metric tools, but do have some SAE stuff for the very rare SAE fastener.

Aberdale, you do know there is an easy visual way of determining if a bolt or nut is SAE or metric?

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I run into SAE on ships built in Chile and the USA, and on ships that are or were owned by Canadians. I focus on metric tools, but do have some SAE stuff for the very rare SAE fastener.

Aberdale, you do know there is an easy visual way of determining if a bolt or nut is SAE or metric?

Glad you put that up....I can't tell you the number of times I have gone to work on a piece of equipment behind some other mechanics work and found hardware mixed up....makes we wonder "what are they teaching these guys - isn't the markings on the head a clue?"