stainless nuts for use on suspension /steering etc

[steveo3002]

i know its not safe to use stainless bolts on brakes etc due the fact theyre not high tensile

i have a few bits like tie rod ends , rack mounts and arb links that use nuts ...will i be safe using stainless nuts on those

 

[paulmowers]

Hi Steve

I would have thought if the original were plain bzp's then stainless would be fine, how you would tell what the originals were I'm not too sure, apart from trying to file or cut them to see how soft to the saw or file they feel.

paul

 

[steveo3002]

theyre just standard mild steel plated ones from the local fastner place at the mo

are nuts just nuts in general though? like how you can spec 8.8 or 10.9 bolts....is it the same with nuts ?

 

[rtbcomp]

Stick to original spec, if something goes wrong you'll be in deep doo-doos.

Stainless should be treated as non-high tensile.

 

[rtbcomp]

.......
are nuts just nuts in general though? like how you can spec 8.8 or 10.9 bolts....is it the same with nuts ?

Metric high tensile nuts are often marked |8| on one of the end faces. I presume you can get stronger ones, but I've never seen them in suppliers' lists.

 

[steveo3002]

so what are we thinking...SS be a match for standard fastener shoppie ones?

safe to use ? all the strength is in the stud /bolt isnt it

 

[rtbcomp]

so what are we thinking...SS be a match for standard fastener shoppie ones?

safe to use ? all the strength is in the stud /bolt isnt it

No. "Standard" fastener supplier nuts will be normally HT. Most manufacturers don't bother making weaker ones, but beware that cheapo nuts made from mild steel are out there, usually found on cheap imported stuff.

You may be able to specify HT stainless, but it will cost.

The tension is the same in the nut as the bolt.

 

[steveo3002]

so its a no then?

 

[hotrodder]

I would say it's a maybe. As said nuts are graded just like bolts, how the fastener is used plays a big role in what's required/safe

A bolt used in a critical tension application will need a nut to match. Bolts are often used in (hopefully double) shear, the nut is only there to prevent the assembly from falling apart and doesn't need to be a super high tensile job. A high tensile bolt may still be specced though, often with a nylock nut (or similar) as the torque setting is relatively low

High tensile stainless fasteners are available but you need to be careful with random A2/A4 hardware, have a look here and here.

 

[Hitch]

I wouldn't bother.... putting stainless nuts on steel bolts seems a waste of time... and the bolt will corrode faster than usual. Might give you problems in the future maintainance.