SS hardware strength?

[snrusnak]

So I've replaced a lot of hardware on my bike and I didn't use SS in areas that need high strength(pinch bolts, pulley bolts, rotor bolts, etc). They are corroding again not even a year later.

Can I get away with SS in these areas or is it really that bad of an idea?

Thanks.

 

[buellxb9rs]

those are grade 8 bolts, but stainless is equivalent to ~Grade 5 I believe

 

[OldGeezer]

Depends in part on the grade of stainless bolt. 304 & 316 ss are considerably less strong than a grade 8 bolt. The the other concern is that they are fairly soft metals and the threads deform fairly easily either from overtorquing (you can't torque them to the same specification as grade 5 or grade 8 bolts) or getting dirt in the threads. This results in the bolts seizing solid and needing to be cut or drilled out.

I would be cautious about using SS bolts in high strength locations without checking to see that they would in fact take the load and not in a place where I couldn't cut the nut off to get the bolt out.

It should be possible to get properly plated grade 8 bolts that will last. Theoretically it is even possible to get chrome plated grade 8 bolts. I would go that route (good quality plated bolts) before I looked at SS bolts.

Good luck

 

[snrusnak]

Thanks for the input. That's basically what I've heard in the past. Just frustrating because some of the plated hardware I bought started corroding almost instantly.

 

[OldGeezer]

Yes, most fasteners, especially the cheap ones from Asia, come with a token cad or zinc plating. For your type of environment with high humidity, heat and some salt in the air you need either galvanized or better plating, or stainless.

Try http://www.boltdepot.com/Chrome-nuts-and-bolts.aspx for chrome plated fasteners
Here is a good article on the subject of using chrome & other bolts on Harleys http://www.hotbikeweb.com/tech/0612_hbkp_chrome_bolts_hardware_fundamentals/viewall.html

Here is a source for High strength 17-4 stainless fasteners http://www.mmsacc-stainless.com/html/hi_strength_bolts.htm They may be special order though and won't be cheap.

Have fun

Also keep in mind: "Also important to know when using stainless steel fasteners is that they tend to gall, or cold weld. I also wish I had a nickel for every customer that came to Hillco claiming "You sold me the wrong nut. Look, it stuck to the bolt, and I had to break it to get it off!" I then point to the signs posted everywhere recommending the use of anti-seize to prevent galling. This is where I usually hear them say "Ohhhh. So that's what anti-seize is for." We recommend using nickel anti-seize (ND Industries Vibra-Tite part # ND90704, a 4-oz bottle for $9.50). Think of it as cheap insurance for your stainless steel nuts and bolts. You'll spend a lot of time breaking, grinding, and cutting off bolts if you don't use anti-seize." Been there, done that & got the T-shirt for cutting 72 1-1/2" SS316 bolts by hand that had galled due to someone using an impact gun & no anti-seize (a co-worker)

 

[snrusnak]

^thanks for the info

 

[OldGeezer]

You're welcome, hope one of the solutions works for you, your bike is looking great.

 

[konarider94]

Just frustrating because some of the plated hardware I bought started corroding almost instantly.

IIRC you bought black oxide bolts, not plated. I told you to get zinc plated grade 8 fasteners back when you were buying all of them. How long did it take for the factory bolts to corrode?

A286 is another high strength stainless.

 

[50dro]

Yeah...We used the same coating as was used from the factory on our case slider HW. So far, so good. Black oxide corrodes if you breathe on it...

 

[snrusnak]

I do have some black oxide bolts and some are corroding some aren't. Also some of the zinc plated ones are corroding too. I tried to buy zinc plated but couldn't find every size I needed so had to settle for black oxide in some places. All the SS stuff I got looks so good it makes the other hardware look even worse lol. i'd like to resolve the issue.

 

[konarider94]

How long did the factory hardware last? Im thinking your best option would be to buy new hardware from the dealer. It sounds like you got some low quality zinc plated fasteners if they are rusting this fast.

 

[djs2k2]

Yeah but hardware from the dealer is like 6$ a bolt and 4$ for plast washers if needed. I can only imagine what the hardware runs thats close to heat.

 

[konarider94]

Yeah but hardware from the dealer is like 6$ a bolt and 4$ for plast washers if needed

Well an 3/8" A286 bolt is about $20 a piece so.... There are also coated bolts available that offer better corrosion resistance than the zinc.

Someone just posted some pictures not long ago of a chain drive sprocket with sheared off stainless fasteners.

 

[snrusnak]

Well how long ago were we discussing this kona, maybe 8-12 months ago? They lasted a few months with now corrosion then began slowly and now some are pretty bad(a few), some are minor. But I've only ridden probably a dozen times since then, that's what's frustrating.

 

[50dro]

Your best bet might be to work with (by "work with" I mean coax with beer or other consumables ) a bolt supplier that would be willing to have his coater run a list of bolts for you with a specified coating for a minimum charge. It will probably be pricey, but not as much as buying them piece by piece from HD. You'll want to get your whole list together, because the charge will be the same no regardless if you have 1 bolt or 1,000 bolts. The bolts themselves will be the least expensive part of this assuming they are all standard sizes that are readily available. Good luck!

 

[konarider94]

Well how long ago were we discussing this kona, maybe 8-12 months ago?  They lasted a few months with now corrosion then began slowly and now some are pretty bad(a few), some are minor.  But I've only ridden probably a dozen times since then, that's what's frustrating.

That sounds about right. What i was getting at is how long did it take the original bolts to corrode before you replaced them. If the oem bolts rusted that fast it would surprise me. If you got them from an outside source i could see the quality potentially being pretty poor depending on the source. I've found H-D's hardware to be pretty good quality. You live near the ocean correct?

 

[snrusnak]

oh gotcha. no nothing was oem. All replaced hardware was from various sites online. Honestly, it was a huge PITA finding ever bolt I needed, I bet I spent 4 hours searching and ordering for a couple dozen different size bolts. Yeah kind of, in Orlando FL.

 

[FlaXB9R]

You live near the ocean correct?

Yeah kind of, in Orlando FL.

[confused] [confused] [confused]


Maybe it's because I'm a Floridian but I wouldn't consider that near the Ocean. 50 miles give or take a few. We're far enough inland that salt isn't a real factor.