Stainless Steel Door Bolts - Corrosion?

Hi Guys

Know from using the search button (rare I know) of many changing the door bolts to stainless steel. I even know where to buy them!!

Before I part with cash would be helpful to understand from those that have done this and lived with them for a while:

- Any strength issues with the rear door bolts (mine has the orginal rear wheel carrier, not a swing away one)?

- Did you do anything to protect the door aluminium skins from reaction corrosion? Was wondering about painting the bolt thread nearest the head, as I think stainless steel bolts passing through a sheet of aluminium causes less corrosion than aluminium bolts passing through a sheet of stainless steel - something to do with relative masses of the different metals

I'm probably being paranoid, but trying to avoid making mistakes - enough of those already in my past

stainless nuts and bolts tent to grab on undoing making them a pain in the arse when removing them i prefer galv or just zinc plated they take years to rust badly anyhow

A good point James - maybe I'll just clean up what I have for now and spend the money on other stuff for the Landy.

It's more light surface rust than serious corrosion

The stainless steel doesnt react with the alli.
As for stainless bolts binding that happens when there is to much heat and they "fire up" if you clean the threads before removing and add a touch of wd40 it wont happen. It is the same as if your working with screwed stainless pipe.

As for living with the stainless bolts. The tensile strength of them to hold the spare wheel isnt a propblem. I have my wheel mounted on the rear door(235/85/16 dunlop AT) they have been on for 2 years and still look great, No probs with the paint work etc.

The tensile strength of a bolt is only crucial when it is being stretched by high loads, like your tow hitch, FFor most other things on a landy there ideal.

I buy my stainless stuff either from screwfix or tool station

Thanks Andy - esp. for the feedback re: the rear door.

Think I'll give it a go after pay day - more fun than cleaning up and repainting 30 bolts

I have stainless bolts on most of my Defender and have had no problems with them at all. Doors are all fine, even the back one with a heavy wheel and 265 tyre on. They also look much neater than having rust pouring out of the hole all over the place. When you replace the door hinge bolts, replace each one, one-by-one, cleaning all the rust out of the holes before you replace with stainless. A touch of grease probably wouldn't hurt wither...

Cheers Mike - will do

Try a google im sure as said stainless does react on some way with aluminium.
But im sure a good dollop of copaslip would keep its at bay.
Stainless bolts if overtightened are a pain in the arse to remove.


Lynall

coppaslip would be the worst you could adding another metal just grease would be better

Thanks James - really in two minds now!

I quite like coppergrease so top advice re: not introducing a 3rd metal!

I think that Duralac is said to be one of the best products to use in preventing corrosion between certain metals.

i think fitting stainless bolts is for people that cant think of a real way of improving their vehicle ,they are a pain in the arse can only be used in exchange for 8.8 bolts galc or zinc if you want to be able to undo them in a few years,much better to fit new suspension bushes or grease wheel brgs or something positive with wearing parts

A little harsh James

Up this morning hoping to waxoyl inside the doors and refit the trims (been restoring the frames) - snow has stopped play:doh:

Think it might be wheels off time - wire brushing, zinc priming and respraying is on the 'to do' list - now, garage or kitchen table......

yeah snow stopped play here to, and i have electrical gremlins to chase. Bugger i was suppose to be going to glentarkie for a play in the mud tomorrow

Snow???? It's glorious sunshine here!

Really jealous now Ian!

I didn't even get to take the wheels off, as my wife needed him to get to the stables - she sent this photo on her way!

Do what we do on aircraft. 'wet assembly' cover everything in sealant before putting it together. Prevents dissimilar metal corrosion by stopping any electron flow. Iv dOne on all bolts I have put in.

Karlos28 said:

Do what we do on aircraft. 'wet assembly' cover everything in sealant before putting it together. Prevents dissimilar metal corrosion by stopping any electron flow. Iv dOne on all bolts I have put in.

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Hi Karlos, what type of sealant do you use and does it not make it a pain if you need to remove the nuts later?

I have had SS nuts and bolts for about 3 years without problems. I put a dollop of copper grease on em (before I knew I shouldn't) but that doesn't seem to have caused any problems either

Don't know about the back door as I has a carrier.

Station House said:

she sent this photo on her way!

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Flippin'eck! You really wouldn't believe we were on the same continent! It's been T-shirt weather here today (sorry if that's just rubbing salt in the wound )

'tis true what they say - the grass is greener... etc. I was really envious of everyone else having loads of snow to go and play in over the winter. We had one day with a couple of inches, but even my wife's Civic didn't struggle in it!

Station House said:

Really jealous now Ian!

I didn't even get to take the wheels off, as my wife needed him to get to the stables - she sent this photo on her way!

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Blurry Eck, we've got a bit of drizzle I'm officially jelous