Stainless Hardware

[71_Bronco 1,072]

Just curious if anybody has rebuilt a tractor with all stainless hardware. Is this a good or a bad idea?

 

I know stainless is more prone to galling, but maybe there is a way to prevent this that I don't know about? Maybe something like anti-seize?

 

Thoughts?

[roadapples 6,983]

I've used some stainless. Always use anti-seize...

[daveoman1966 3,745]

Years ago, I replaced all the mower deck bolts with SS...except for the 12 spindle mounting bolts.  The 5 bolts on the lower edge of the dozer blade are stainless too.  

[SylvanLakeWH 25,490]

I used stainless on the wear bar for my front blade. Salt etc. had done a number on the old bolts...

 

So far so good.

[WHX?? 48,776]

Every nut and bolt on these tractors is stainless. Most of  my snow blowers and a few decks sport all stainless. I've done a few motorcycles out of all stainless too so my stainless fetish goes way back.

  No problem with galling. It seldom happens on small diameter bolts. Generally 3/8 diameter and up is where you can run into problems. 

To prevent it yes antisieze or any lubricant will do.  Heat/friction  is what causes it so more common on nyloc nuts. Assemble slowly to avoid. 

Many of @Achto's tractor are done with stainless.

[squonk 41,023]

I had a guy come into the store years ago and wanted stainless cotter pins. I told him we don't stock them but could get them He left fuming. Said something about "sallies" on the way out the door. 

[JAinVA 4,619]

I use 1/4" stainless screws and 5/16" bolts on all my WHs.Getting ready to order  5/16" SS carraige bolts for the foot pads.

[peter lena 8,580]

JAinVA , your local h/w store probably has s/s carriage bolts in the pull out drawer section , my true value store has  a lot of stainless bolts . i have used s/s  bolts all over my horse , without any issues ,and nyloc nuts also , pete

[Achto 27,502]

3 hours ago, 71_Bronco said:

I know stainless is more prone to galling, but maybe there is a way to prevent this that I don't know about? Maybe something like anti-seize?

 

I use stainless on every tractor that I redo. To avoid galling I try not to put a stainless nut on a stainless bolt or vise versa. Which ever will be showing gets stainless. Anti-seize and believe it or not Loctite will both prevent galling. I use a fair amount of blue Loctite when I am assembling a tractor. I have yet to have an issue using these practices.

[edgro 677]

Menards has a good selection of stainless. I tend to use blue or red locktite with no problems. If it needs to come apart, a little heat will release the red stuff

[tom2p 2,394]

stainless nuts and bolts without anti-seize should be better than rusted nuts and bolts - correct ?

 

have a small dump cart that has sat for around 20 years outside ... unfortunately ... very poor condition ... some of the fasteners (bolts / nuts) had been replaced with stainless fasteners  - they are the only thing on the cart that looks good 

 

[rmaynard 15,427]

I've used all stainless on several rebuilds. No never-seize, no problem. Only problem with stainless is that it is darned expensive. Found my best deal at BoltDepot.com. You can order as few as one bolt or nut at a time.

[Skipper 1,788]

There are different sorts of stainless too. For offshore use, you would use A2 / AISI 316 or better. That stuff can sit on the bottom of the ocean for a 1000 years, and still look exactly the same. Perhaps the Galling is partially due to lesser quality stainless, actually "corroding" a bit, and the fact that it is much harder, so it sets harder too. It wont go soft and loosen up like a normal rustoway bolt does when you apply some brute force.

 

I use a lot of stainless, and has never had any issues. I only use the good stuff though........... 

[squonk 41,023]

I managed to gall and lock up a couple of 5/8" stainless bolts once on a pump. They weren't tight yet either and no room to cut them off. Had to snap them off with a helper bar.