Does anyone use stainless steel hardware from Belmetric?

[alia176]

On my 4runner forum someone said that he uses nuts from Belmetric on the exhaust manifold so that they're easy to remove years later. Just curious if anyone uses them!

Aerotight Nut Stainless DIN 980

Bel-Metric sells metric hardware & specialty automotive supplies worldwide. Visit our website to purchase metric fasteners, nuts, bolts, screws, washers & more.

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[Grayscale]

300-series stainless is no substitute for factory alloys. Nuts are described according to their 'Class' in JIS, and are paired with appropriate hardware, washers, screws, etc.. These nuts meet no specs for factory torque, fatigue, etc.

If you haven't had a broken stainless steel fastener work harden on you when you try to drill it out, then consider yourself lucky. You'll break the drill off, and be forced to use heat or welding to remove the broken piece. The anti-seize sold at the auto store will be adequate.

Maybe for body stuff, using stainless hardware where you have custom stuff that you don't want to grease, or apply an anerobic threadlocker (for corrosion resistance)? Otherwise, follow the factory for hardware.

 

[alia176]

I have to deal with SS hardware daily but never thought of using them in an exhaust application. However that gentleman swears by them so I was curious to hear other folks' experience in this arena.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Grayscale]

This is how I'd approach it. Although, I'm not convinced that there is a need. A nut doesn't address corrosion on the manifold stud, potentially galling threads upon disassembly.

That said, consider using a stainless steel Heli-Coil insert in an OEM nut. These threaded inserts were required to be installed in demanding applications, space stuff. I'd imagine that an insert in a conventional nut would be better suited for the job than a nut made entirely of stainless. I'd rather it be a steel nut that I drive with a six or twelve-point socket. I'd rather it be a steel nut that expands at about the same rate as the steel thread on the manifold stud. Perhaps a good excuse to fire up the 3-jaw chuck on the workshop lathe...