SuzukiSavage.com - Do I Need A Tool to Measure Thread Pitch and Size?

Andy RN

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Do I Need A Tool to Measure Thread Pitch and Size?
05/12/17 at 13:01:11

Hi All!

So far I am only removing large components off my bike, like the belt cover, but already I'm finding hardware that needs to be replaced. So far, it seems easy enough, because the bolts are large... but I think I have to replace my cam chain tensioner, and take apart my engine to repair an oil leak coming from the head... I might even have to replace the cam chain and do a compression test on the engine because I'm at 45K miles... so I was wondering:

Will I eventually need a tool to measure bolt size and pitch?
Thanks!

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US Navy (99-03). Novice, self-taught mechanic. 2003 Savage with 44k miles. 2015 S-40 with 5k miles.

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norm92de Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 1180 El Paso TX Gender:	Re: Do I Need A Tool to Measure Thread Pitch and S Reply #1 - 05/12/17 at 13:25:00 A caliper and a metric thread gage will be useful I use mine all the time. If you buy a caliper get a good one it will be an investment.
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norm92de Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 1180 El Paso TX Gender:	Re: Do I Need A Tool to Measure Thread Pitch and S Reply #2 - 05/12/17 at 13:32:59 Andy, You will be a regular at Loews or Home Depot before you know it. you can get a lot of stuff for your bike there. Think stainless steel if they have it. Suzuki bolts will be more expensive. I hate rusty bolts etc.
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SALB Serious Thumper Offline FSO Posts: 668 Whittier, AK Gender:	Re: Do I Need A Tool to Measure Thread Pitch and S Reply #3 - 05/12/17 at 14:03:05 If you're replacing hardware because of messed up, corroded threads, then you might want to consider investing in a set of metric taps as well.
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28884 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Do I Need A Tool to Measure Thread Pitch and S Reply #4 - 05/12/17 at 14:03:55 Just take the bolt with you as thread lengths vary. For the most part, thread pitch is the same, so once you find one you know them all. Length can be gotten from the OEM fishe on all websites.
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Dave YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 18092 Camp Springs, Kentucky Gender:	Re: Do I Need A Tool to Measure Thread Pitch and S Reply #5 - 05/12/17 at 14:13:20 Yep.....length can change - you can measure that with a metric ruler. Most common fasteners on the Savage are either 6x1.0 or 8x1.25 or 10x1.50.
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Andy RN

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Re: Do I Need A Tool to Measure Thread Pitch and S
Reply #6 - 05/12/17 at 14:21:43

verslagen1 wrote on 05/12/17 at 14:03:55:

Length can be gotten from the OEM fishe on all websites.

Thanks, Verslagen1!

Can you please elaborate on the length being found on the fiche? I DL'ed the fiche compiled by a member on this forum, and I see part numbers for screws and bolts, but not dimensions.

I also plugged a random part number of a screw from the fiche into a parts website here, but still didn't find dimensions. Am I using the wrong site or something?

Thanks again!

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US Navy (99-03). Novice, self-taught mechanic. 2003 Savage with 44k miles. 2015 S-40 with 5k miles.

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Andy RN

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Re: Do I Need A Tool to Measure Thread Pitch and S
Reply #7 - 05/12/17 at 14:27:28

norm92de wrote on 05/12/17 at 13:32:59:

Andy,
You will be a regular at Loews or Home Depot before you know it. you can get a lot of stuff for your bike there. Think stainless steel if they have it. Suzuki bolts will be more expensive.

Thanks, Norm. Yes, I have been wondering about this too... I spent some time YTing today, learning about bolts, and I think this is issue refers to a bolt's "grade"? Apparently the bolt's head has markings on it which describe the grade, which pertains to the bolt's strength?

In any case, I was a little concerned about going down to Home Depot or something for my replacement hardware. I wasn't sure if "automotive quality" metal mattered a whole lot or not... It seems like you are saying that it's usually not an issue?

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Andy RN

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Re: Do I Need A Tool to Measure Thread Pitch and S
Reply #8 - 05/12/17 at 14:37:15

Thanks for the reccomendation, SALB. In my research today, I found several methods suggested for sizing bolts:

flat plate-like bolt gauges with holes in them like THIS
screw pitch gauges with folding "leafs" resembling feeler gauges like THIS
or screwing a bolt or screw into a hex die like THE ONE YOU MENTIONED

I think I'm drawn to the hex die method, because it seems fast, simple, easy, and accurate. Although Dave mentioned the common sizes, and my guess is that might cover 99% of my current issues right there... wondering if that will change once I get to the engine or the carburetor?

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verslagen1

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Re: Do I Need A Tool to Measure Thread Pitch and S
Reply #9 - 05/12/17 at 14:38:22

Andy RN wrote on 05/12/17 at 14:21:43:

Can you please elaborate on the length being found on the fiche? I DL'ed the fiche compiled by a member on this forum, and I see part numbers for screws and bolts, but not dimensions.

Well, not all bolts, but some have dimensions.
such as crankcase #23 bolt (10x180)
that'll be a M10 bolt 180mm long.

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batman Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 3806 osceola new york Gender:	Re: Do I Need A Tool to Measure Thread Pitch and S Reply #10 - 05/12/17 at 14:49:32 I'd check and see if the oil leak is the dreaded head plug leak, if it is,there is only two reasons to remove the head ,1) if your compression is bad,2) when you change your cam chain, the cam chain guides are worn and have to be replaced.
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