Metric Fastener sources

[MMiskoe]

Anyone have a good source of metric fasteners w/ the same 10-12-14 hex size as found in Nissans? Most places use 13-15-17 and its a real pain to have different sizes intermixed.

I've also found that many places that sell the fasteners don't list the hex size, only the diameter and pitch.

Thanks
Matt

[Greg Amy]

Oddly, that's "a Jap Thing"; same thing goes for my Mazdas and Hondas I've disassembled. DO note, Matt, that thread pitch is different on later model Japanese cars (Nissan, Mazda, Honda) once you get above about 8-10mm thread size; the Japanese like finer threads.

The only way I've resolved this is to have two boxes of used hardware: one for German and American stuff, and one for Japanese. And anything new I need (usually the bigger stuff, I've got tons of small stuff around) I usually buy OEM...

[djsilver]

Anyone have a good source of metric fasteners w/ the same 10-12-14 hex size as found in Nissans? Most places use 13-15-17 and its a real pain to have different sizes intermixed.

I've also found that many places that sell the fasteners don't list the hex size, only the diameter and pitch.

Thanks
Matt

It's ISO spec vs. DIN spec. DIN is Deustch-something and uses the 11-13-15 etc heads. Japanese mostly use ISO spec 10-12-14 heads. If you purchase online check to verify which spec and you'll get the right hex sizes. Now if someone could give me a good explanation for why Ford decided to use 18mm hex heads on most of their suspension parts (?) Have you ever seen a metric tool kit that came with it? I had to buy individual wrenches and sockets. Never seen an 18 on anything else, german, japanese, italian, etc. I've yet to find an 18 anywhere on my Nissan.....,

[Z3_GoCar]

It's ISO spec vs. DIN spec. DIN is Deustch-something and uses the 11-13-15 etc heads. Japanese mostly use ISO spec 10-12-14 heads. If you purchase online check to verify which spec and you'll get the right hex sizes. Now if someone could give me a good explanation for why Ford decided to use 18mm hex heads on most of their suspension parts (?) Have you ever seen a metric tool kit that came with it? I had to buy individual wrenches and sockets. Never seen an 18 on anything else, german, japanese, italian, etc. I've yet to find an 18 anywhere on my Nissan.....,

Bmw's tend to use a lot of 16mm on the suspension parts. As for a source, Mcmaster-carr and fastenal are two sources I've used and order from.

[Joe Camilleri]

My GMC van, which has a mix of metric and SAE, uses 18 mm on the idler pulley bolt.

[Streetwise guy]

http://www.wurthcanada.com/

Dunno if these guys distribute south of the border, but they have every option I've ever wanted.

[Matt93SE]

Dare I say it, but I just take a 5 gallon bucket to the pick-a-part and dig around in/under all the Nissans on the lot. fill up your bucket and hand the counter guy a $10 and keep walking.

at least it works well here in Texas where it's nice and dry and the bolts aren't rusted to crap. :)

When buying new bolts, I use Metricmcc.com, but they use DIN standard bolts, which have the 11/13/15/19 head sizes.

djsilver, as for the 18mm bolt size, I hear ya.. I hate working on Fords for that reason, but I've found it ironic that my Gearwrench sets all come with an 18mm wrench and not a 17mm. only the newest sets have been including a 17 as well, but they're charging more for the sets now.

[jimbbski]

Besides those already mentioned here are some that I've found:

http://www.northlandfasteners.com/catalog/MetricBolt_1.htm#mb_1_1

http://www.metricmcc.com/terms_conditions.aspx

http://www.nutty.com/metric.shtml

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/GSDRVSM?PACACHE=000000126798004