I'm replacing a wheel bearing in my 98 Legacy. I managed to get the pinch bolt and ball joint out (thanks to whoever said the Irwin bolt extractor sockets actually work!) and am putting it back together. I got a Napa ball joint that had a new pinch bolt with it, but on closer inspection it is longer and came with a nut for a drill out scenario. My threads are fine so I wonder is it ok to use this bolt and just run it all the way through? Do I need to clean the threads out or anything so it doesn't mess up the end of the bolt? I looked at a couple hardware store bolts but they didn't look like quite the same on the non threaded part. Or is full threaded ok?

Run a tap through to clean the threads. Full thread bolt is fine. Put the nut on the extra threads for added security and to protect them from corrosion. Use anti-seize on everything. 

GD

If that car sees any salt or rust prone situations, I'd consider Subaru or better grade bolt for the pinch bolt. Aftermarket metal is almost invariably more prone to rust than Subaru OEM and pinch bolts are annoying if they're seized.

I hate using hardware store bolts. At the very least, they will have the wrong size head.

 

The dealership here in town stocks pinch bolts. I'd just get it from them.

 

Also, price out the ball joint from them. I've had HORRIBLE experiences with aftermarket ball joints, and the OEM ones aren't expensive.

8 hours ago, Numbchux said:

I hate using hardware store bolts. At the very least, they will have the wrong size head.

 

The dealership here in town stocks pinch bolts. I'd just get it from them.

 

Also, price out the ball joint from them. I've had HORRIBLE experiences with aftermarket ball joints, and the OEM ones aren't expensive.

Same OEM ball joint and OEM bolt all the way.