This weekend I replaced the passenger side knuckle and cv-joint and along the way discovered the four strut bolts on the Tracker are a mismatch of 3 different types and harness of 12mm bolts.  Three 8.8's of two styles and one 10.9...have I mentioned the previous owner was a moron?  At any rate the two bolts I had to deal with died a horrible, rusty, hammer beaten death so I could get my knuckle off.

For those that don't know metric 8.8 = about Grade 3 under US standards.  Not even grade 5 which most consider the minimum for suspension components.

I've been looking and calling around town for some 12mm x 60mm 10.9 or harder bolts...and was pretty much shut down until the Ace Hardware on the way home miraculously had a bunch of 12mm cap bolts (has the washer built into the head)...only problem is they jump directly from 45mm to 80mm long.  Too short to too long.

I bought the 80mm's but the shoulder sticks out past the edge of the strut by a millimeter or two.  Obviously not good.  However after a lock nut and a washer go on I should have taken up that extra space.  Is this usable?  My other option is to order bolts online...I hate living in the northwoods...

If the washer and locknut take up the extra shoulder and you have enough thread to tighten the nut to spec without bottoming out on the shoulder it should work just fine.

You could try to spin the bolt with a wrench to see if it is not hitting the shoulder, if it is it will be loose.

For those that don't know metric 8.8 = about Grade 3 under US standards.  Not even grade 5 which most consider the minimum for suspension components.

Actually Grade 5 bolts are pretty much equal to 8.8 metric in terms of tensile strength

8.8 = 85,000 PSI  proof load
10.9 = 120,000 PSI  proof load
12.9 = 140,000 PSI proof load

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Grade 5 (1/4" - 1") = 85,000 PSI proof load
              (1" - 1-1/2") = 74,000 PSI proof load
              (1-1/2" - 3") = 55,000 PSI proof load

Grade 8 (All sizes) = 120,000 PSI proof load

There are many others over and under these grades but you get the idea.  Most small vehicals I've seen have grade 8.8 bolts as suspension fasteners, untill you get into the larger trucks etc.  Anyways, it doesn't hurt to go for the higher grade fasteners.  Further info here : http://www.rigging.net/Bolts.html

Yeah, we discussed this over on Zuwharrie and it seems that a bunch of us were mistaken in what the ratings were equivalent to.

I've got the 10.9's and can probably make them work so I'll give them a shot with some washers.