Stainless fasteners

[Baz]

Picked up some front cover engine bolts from www.a2a4.co.uk
this morning. Whilst I was in there I also bought some stainless bolts to possibly replace the crap one fitted to the disks & calipers.
There are a few threads out there on this subject, some saying theyre not strong enough, but Vern seems to think theyre good enough for the job. Does anyone else have experience of using stainless bolts on the disks & calipers?

Baz

 

[Rabbitson]

Don't know, but let's face it, if you're not sure, I don't thinks a good idea to change them for the sake of cosmetics.

Imagine if they do fail and you have an accident, not only from a safety point of view but also for your insurance. Not worth it if you ask me.

Change the other ones, but leave the brake calipers (or replace them with new standard ones).

Better to look crap and be safe.

 

[Skip]

I personally could not see any problems with using Stainless steel and have considered this like you. Stainless steel is an incredible hard metal and can with stand extremely high temps and also does not fracture easily. Have a look at this, as it talks about stainless steel in the automotive industry and covers some topics, which should help you in making you choice. http://www.ttp.net/0-87849-905-9/17.htm

 

[Vern]

Stick em on A2's do the job on mine ok, A4 even gooder.

 

[Big Al Litch]

Used SS fixings on the calipers & discs (and practically everywhere else for that matter) on my Le Mans and both my Jota's without problems. Personally I love the stuff, I have rebuilt bikes using SS fixings throughout and also on my LandRover (everything except suspension & towing fixings).
We use hi-grade SS fixings on a lot of external plant at work (radio towers for instance).
I buy the stuff in bulk from my local wholesale supplier and love it when a few years down the line I can undo fixings (which still look like new) whereas plated ones can be siezed solid.
Apparently the threads are prone to binding after a while so it is necessary to lubricate the threads when installing the fixings. I have never put this to the test as I always lubricate the thread anyway but I would be interested to know if this is true.

Alan

 

[Frank Warner]

Theoretically Galvanic Corrosion is more prevalent when metals or vastly different galvanic potential.

If you manage to exclude air and water then the corrosion will not occur.

Galvanic series

Vast amounts of material here.

--- As far as strength goes look up tensile and sheer strengths using www.google.com

 

[carbold]

I’ve replaced the caliper mounting bolts and also the 4 bolts that keep the 2 halves of the caliper together. Done 7,000 miles with no probs. Touch wood.
Still looking for the torx bolts for the front discs though. If anyone knows where to find them on the internet and their specs pls let me know!

 

[Baz]

Hi Carbold,

I'm changing my disk bolts for hex domed headed bolts. dont like torx drive, too easy to bugger up the drive. Picked some up from
www.a2a4.co.uk, cost about 40p each. did price up the disk bolts from mbw, they come as a disk set with the collar and washer and cost £30.
Laughed all the way out of the showroom.

Baz