TheSamba.com :: View topic - Stainless nuts and bolts

Mon Apr 09, 2012 5:22 pm

In France Kickout SS build, I'm trying to use/replace all nuts and bolts to stainless (except where specific graded bolts are required).

I've come across 3 specific sizes that are close to unobtainium

M7-1.00 Nut (Transmission cone)
M8-1.00 x 50mm bolts (Master cylinder and disk brake calipers)
M12-1.50 Nylon lock nut (Tie rod end and balljoint)

My local pusher of stainless nuts and bolts tells me I can custom order M7 nuts but I need to order a box of 500!

I would also like to get M10 studs for lower engine mount.

I've searched long and wide on the interweeb and ebay for these but came up empty handed. Anyone know of a source for these specific stainless bolts/nuts?

I know about Stainless steel galling and we've used ample anti-seize compound.

Mon Apr 09, 2012 5:25 pm

vincent9993 wrote: I'm trying to use/replace all nuts and bolts to stainless (except where specific graded bolts are required).

I've come across 3 specific sizes that are close to unobtainium

M7-1.00 Nut (Transmission cone)
M8-1.00 x 50mm bolts (Master cylinder and disk brake calipers)
M12-1.50 Nylon lock nut (Tie rod end and balljoint)

My local pusher of stainless nuts and bolts tells me I can custom order M7 nuts but I need to order a box of 500!

I would also like to get M10 studs for lower engine mount.

I've searched long and wide on the interweeb and ebay for these but came up empty handed. Anyone know of a source for these specific stainless bolts/nuts?

I know about Stainless steel galling and we've used ample anti-seize compound.
don't use stainless on these, its too brittle and not hard enough. You want Grade 10 bolts.

Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:20 pm

McMaster Carr should have it!

Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:21 pm

GTBRADLEY wrote: McMaster Carr should have it!
Might have to buy a minimum quantity.

Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:21 pm

GTBRADLEY wrote: McMaster Carr should have it!

Maybe but I tried to order from McMaster Carr from Canada and was denied... These guys refuse to ship to Canada.

Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:23 pm

vincent9993 wrote: GTBRADLEY wrote: McMaster Carr should have it!

Maybe but I tried to order from McMaster Carr from Canada and was denied... These guys refuse to ship to Canada.
If you want, you can ship to me and i'll forward it on. we can workout the details via PM.

Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:25 pm

Glenn wrote: If you want, you can ship to me and i'll forward it on. we can workout the details via PM.

That's very kind of you Glenn,

I'm going to give the Totally Stainless guys a try. Their online experience is not convincing but I'll risk it. I'll report back if the stuff comes in.

Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:36 pm

I've used Bolt Depot a number of times for stainless fasteners. I really like the look of allen button head screws where appropriate.

Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:40 pm

Have you tried Fastenal? They seem to have just about everything.

Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:42 pm

EVfun wrote: I've used Bolt Depot a number of times for stainless fasteners. I really like the look of allen button head screws where appropriate.

I agree with you, allen button heads do look nice but I've learned (sometime the hard way) that having none regular hardware can be trivial for roadside repairs. With the amount of driving we do, sometimes KISS is the best 'look' to have.

Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:44 pm

Axitech wrote: Have you tried Fastenal? They seem to have just about everything.

Yes I did come across these guys and the only M12-1.50 lock nut is Zinc plated:
http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=0145171

Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:56 pm

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=stainless+steel+metric+bolts+canada

Surely somebody has what you need...

Dale

Mon Apr 09, 2012 7:01 pm

Dale M. wrote: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=stainless+steel+metric+bolts+canada

Surely somebody has what you need...

Dale

GLWT. I've searched including USA only sites and came up empty for the above listed items. I can forego the M8 and continue to use grade 10s but no one has M12-1.50 Nylon lock nut.

The issue is not getting SS hardware in Canada, it's getting these specific sizes.

Mon Apr 09, 2012 7:10 pm

You sure its 12 x 1.50 that size sort of violates the thread count standard of metrics vs diameter....

Dale

Mon Apr 09, 2012 7:16 pm

Dale M. wrote: You sure its 12 x 1.50 that size sort of violates the thread count standard of metrics vs diameter....

Dale

Yes, I measured it with a thread gauge and it's def M12-1.5 I know it's weird. Some sites refer to M12-1.75 as Coarse, M12-1.5 as Fine and M12-1.25 as super fine.

See here:
http://www.boltdepot.com/Metric_hex_lock_nuts_nylon_insert_Zinc_plated_class_8.8_steel.aspx

Mon Apr 09, 2012 7:52 pm

fastenal sells them, i have bought within the last 2 months

if you get stuck, i can get them locally and mail them to you

but come to think of it, i think they were just zinc plated

let me know

Tue Apr 10, 2012 9:29 am

I went to my local Ace Hardware (I am not sure if you have those in Canada) to order all the stainless nuts and bolts for my buggy. I was even able to get elevator bolts in stainless from them to attach the body to the pan.

Tue Apr 10, 2012 3:19 pm

Lots of places won't sell high grade fasteners to Canada 'cause they know that they're just gonna waste them.

They know that if they wait and sell to America, some one will use them to make a weapon of some sort that'll benefit everybody

Tue Apr 10, 2012 4:02 pm

...this lack of specific bolt might be the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back, and could lead Canada to invade America.

:wink:

Thu May 03, 2012 4:18 pm

Received my Totally Stainless order today. Pretty impressed with the kits.

Everything is pacakged individually and labled by section.

Looks like M7 tranny nuts are included but not the M12-1.5 lock nuts.

I ordered seperate M10 APR bolts for the motor mount but I think I'll be a little short on the starter side. The longest they had was 100mm. We'll see this week-end.