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- ------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1 of 4 SCHEDULE 13G/A (12/31/2001) SMITH A O Cusip # 831865209 Amendment - -------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 2 of 4 Cusip # 831865209 Item 1: REPORTING PERSONS Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. (Tax ID: 22-2370029) Item 4: CITIZENSHIP Delaware Corporation Item 5: SOLE VOTING POWER 1182494 ** see Note 1 ** Item 6: SHARED VOTING POWER -- None Item 7: SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER -- 1182494 ** see Note 1 ** Item 8: SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER -- 0 Item 9: AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED -- 1182494 ** see Note 1 ** Item 11: PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY LINE 9 -- 7.949005109 Item 12: TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON -- IA - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 3 of 4 ITEM 1(A). NAME OF ISSUER SMITH A O ITEM 1(B). ADDRESS OF ISSUER PO Box 23972 Milwaukee, WI 53223-0972 ITEM 2(A). NAME OF PERSON FILING Dimensional Fund Advisors ITEM 2(B). ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE 1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor, Santa Monica, CA 90401 ITEM 2(C). CITIZENSHIP A Delaware Corporation ITEM 2(D). TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES Common Stock ITEM 2(E). CUSIP NUMBER 831865209 ITEM 3. This statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1 (b), or 13d-2 (b) and the person filing is an investment advisor registered under section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. - --------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 4 of 4 ITEM 4. OWNERSHIP ITEM 4(a). AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED 1182494 ** see Note 1 ** ITEM 4(b). PERCENT OF CLASS 7.949005109 ITEM 4(c). NUMBER OF SHARE AS TO WHICH SUCH PERSON HAS: (i). SOLE POWER TO VOTE OR DIRECT THE VOTE -- 1182494 ** see Note 1 ** (ii). SHARED POWER TO VOTE OR TO DIRECT THE VOTE -- None (iii). SOLE POWER TO DISPOSE OR TO DIRECT DISPOSITION OF -- 1182494 ** see Note 1 ** (iv). SHARE POWER TO DISPOSE OR TO DIRECT DISPOSISTION OF -- None ** Note 1 ** Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. ("Dimensional"), an investment advisor registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, furnishes investment advice to four investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and serves as investment manager to certain other commingled group trusts and separate accounts. These investment companies, trusts and accounts are the "Funds". In its role as investment advisor or manager, Dimensional possesses voting and/or investment power over the securities of the Issuer described in this schedule that are owned by the Funds. All securities reported in this schedule are owned by the Funds. Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities. ITEM 5. OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of 12/31/2001 the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following: [] ITEM 6. OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON All Securities reported in this schedule are owned by advisory clients of Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc., no one of which to the knowledge of Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. owns more than 5% of the class. Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc disclaims beneficial ownership of all such securities. ITEM 7. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH ACQUIRED THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING COMPANY: Not Applicable ITEM 8. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP Not Applicable ITEM 9. NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP Not Applicable ITEM 10. CERTIFICATION By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired for the purpose of and do not have the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of such securities and were not acquired in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having such purposes or effect. After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete are correct. Signature Wednesday, January 30, 2002 Michael T. Scardina Vice President and Chief Financial Officer