stainless exhaust studs any good?

lingeringstin... · Trackday Trickster Joined: 01 May 2014 Karma :

Was told by Some Bloke that I should replace all the studs on the inlet and exhaust side with stainless ones. I laughed it off but he was adamant, so in the REAL world of mechanics would that be advantageous?

I don't think I've ever had a bike with many or even any stainless steel bolts so I don't really know. To my mind they would be too brittle and snap off in unfortunate places and too prone to stripping the threads off but as I said I don't recall ever having had to deal with stainless bolts or studs on anything, although most of the bikes I've ever owned and worked on were made well before 1990 so maybe things are different now?

In general I'm not a big fan of stainless anything other than exhaust but a quick look on internet (that bastion of truth and knowledge) turns up plenty of stainless bolts and studs at reasonable prices so as I'm rebuilding an engine I was just wondering if it was a good idea. Personally I think not but then I'm a backwards heathen.

So, stainless or not?

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Stainless tends to cause galvanaic corrosion when put into alloy.

I perferr mild steel studs but use brass nuts on them. Then if they seize, they are easy to strip off or split.
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BillyJ · Nearly there... Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Karma :

Islander · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Aug 2012 Karma :

As above. Also, if you have one (or more) shear on you they'll be very very difficult to drill out.

Stick with the standard ones. Thumbs Up

lukamon · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 May 2007 Karma :

I put stainless dome nuts on mine with a smear of copper grease. No shit gets chucked at bolts, no rust Thumbs Up

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lingeringstin... · Trackday Trickster Joined: 01 May 2014 Karma :

Actually I've been using cap nuts where I can more and more over the years. I would agree that stainless ones on normal studs with a bit of grease seems like a very good idea.

And I really wouldn't want to try to drill out a snapped stainless stud. I had a hell of a time just drilling some holes in my new homemade two stroke exhaust recently so I could put baffles in it. Many drill bits went bad in terrible ways before it was all over.