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Is it ok to use stainless steele bolts on the undercarage?

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Old 05-06-09, 04:41 AM
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Is it ok to use stainless steele bolts on the undercarage?

OK so just about every bolt on my undercarage/fram are rusted. I want to replace them so that i don't have to worry about that ever again. so I was thinking stainless. I know that stainless galls/cold welds to itself, but I havent seen that it will stick to regular steel. I plan on using loctite to seal the threads, as i know this keeps moisture out. So I figure I should be ok. My only worry is that if it does get fused in there, drilling it out will be a nightmare. So is stainless ok or is a no-no?

Thanks Augie
Old 05-06-09, 06:24 AM
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Stainless is fine.
Use anti-seize instead of Loctite.

In fact, use anti-seize on every fastener.
Old 05-06-09, 08:59 AM
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Every non-critical (non-suspension) bolt on my car is stainless. Use anti-seize (as you should on every fastener that doesn't require threadlocker or sealant) and a lockwasher.
Old 05-07-09, 12:22 AM
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Yeah, just about every bolt under my car is rusted solid. I was pulling my Verts front subframe, and after I get done rethreading half the holes I was thinking of using stainless. But I wanna make sure they wont gall with the plain chassy steel.

So will the anti-seize keep moisture out of the treads as well?
Old 05-07-09, 12:26 AM
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OK I did a quick search, like I should have first.

Permatex® Anti-Seize Lubricant

A highly refined blend of aluminum, copper and graphite lubricants. Use during assembly to prevent galling, corrosion and seizing and to assure easier disassembly. Temperature range: -60°F to 1600°F (-51°Cto 871°C). Salt, corrosion and moisture resistant – ideal for marine use. Non-aerosol version meets Mil Spec #907E. Aerosol - Level 3*

Still curious about steel to stainless galling though.
Old 05-07-09, 12:26 AM
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It's just fine...It's up to you man...
Old 05-07-09, 11:14 AM
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Stainless only galls under certain circumstances. If you lubricate the threads upon assembly, you won't have an issue.
Old 05-07-09, 05:19 PM
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Yeah, i did some more research and discovered that Metals that gall, only really gall with themselves. I good example was that titanium which galls, and stainless, dito, don't fuse with each other. I also found that two dissimiler stainless compounds won't stick to each other.

Either way everthing under the car gets anti seize from now on, stainless or not!
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