Stupid question about wrench sizes

[grasscutter]

Maybe that's it. Do you think that's why Monroe told me the holes (non threaded) are 15mm, yet the (threaded) bolt that comes out of the OEM strut is 12mm?

As an example, the strut bolts on my GM car are 16mm diameter x 2.0mm thread pitch x 78mm long. The wrench size is 18mm.

 

[Astro14]

Maybe that's it. Do you think that's why Monroe told me the holes (non threaded) are 15mm, yet the (threaded) bolt that comes out of the OEM strut is 12mm?

Most struts are that way - holes are bigger than fastener - to allow for camber adjustment at the knuckle.

 

[grasscutter]

Most struts are that way - holes are bigger than fastener - to allow for camber adjustment at the knuckle.

Some cars have no camber adjustment unless something is damaged and requires a camber kit. My car is toe only.

Steering knuckle and lower strut mount bolts are splined. Makes it nice because I don't have to have it re-aligned all the time.

 

[thejon]

Most struts are that way - holes are bigger than fastener - to allow for camber adjustment at the knuckle.

Ok, cool that makes sense. So, in your opinion, should I just use the same bolts and let the alignment shop deal with putting in camber bolts if I need them or should I put the camber bolts in and try to get it good enough and let the shop adjust them? The shop I trust is quite a ways from my house (about 25 miles away). I just want to get it good enough to get to them

 

[thejon]

Yes!
I bet if you measure the hole diameter in the steering knuckle after removing the bolts and strut assembly, it will be ~15 mm too.

Ok, that's a relief know it's a common thing.

 

[PF52]

People need to stop referring to bolt sizes by the wrench size they take.

That's always my pet peeve. I'll be watching a video, and the guy goes on and on describing various bolts as being 10mm, 13mm, 15mm etc. when in reality those are the socket sizes he's using, not the bolt sizes. Someday if I ever make videos of my own I will be more specific.

 

[Number_35]

@thejon, not a stupid question at all - it kicked off a good discussion.