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[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

Part of my bringing the car up to brand-new, is going to be replacing all the corroded studs and fasteners. Just wondering if they're all fairly standard sizes? If so, I intend on getting a box of each type, resisting the urge to go for chrome, but maybe either black or stainless. (Anodized would be a bit chav, especially since my cars silver, not red or blue...)

 Yes, I'm a sad git.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Yep.....all metric.

[Andy B]

just be carefull though about where you put stainless if you use them. They're quite soft so don't use 'em where there's any great load ie suspension.

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

just be carefull though about where you put stainless if you use them. They're quite soft so don't use 'em where there's any great load ie suspension.

 Ah, the oily bits will wait til I've got a bit more experience (and room to work...). Never knew that about stainless bolts, though... cheers.

 Where's the best place to buy an assortment of bolts and screws, then? I'm thinking one of those rack jobbies with separate boxes for each.

[mantahatch]

Hi Guys
Just a bit more info on stainless bolts into aluminium parts, if you live near the sea, or an area that does a lot of salting in the winter and you forget to clean it off, they will corrode solid I think it is some form of electrolysis. A chap who worked in a boatyard near here told me about it.

Regards

Mike

[Kevin Wood]

Yep. Stainless and ali are a bad combination. The windscreen posts (powder coated cast ali) on my Westfield are secured with stainless bolts (don't ask me why) and the corrosion started at day 1 and has now bubbled the powder coating away about 1" diameter around the bolts.

Make sure the strength is appropriate too. Stainless and aluminium fastenings are nowhere near as strong as steel.

Kevin

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

Nothing's ever as easy as it seems, is it?

 Right, I seem to remember my old boss telling me that the black heat-treated bolts were a lot stronger than standard (not that I need much strength in the grille bolts etc) - but I reckon they'd look OK, and hopefully not corrode into any aluminium?

 Appreciate the advice guys.

[Andy B]

I had stainless fasteners under the bonnet of my Senator with no problems, a lot of those went into ally ie spark plug cover.