Differential Cover Bolts

[trail_turkey]

I'm replacing a rusted through differential cover on my Silverado. Its the standard 10 bolt rear end cover. I had to order the cover online as no local source had it or could get it faster than 10 days. Part should come tomorrow. The bolts look pretty ugly and I'm presoaking dailey with penetrating oil. A friend suggested I replace the bolts with stainless bolts. I like the idea of putting in new bolts given the condition of the existing ones. My question is can I use standard off the shelf ss bolts from a hardware store? There are bolt sets availble online in both shouldered and unshouldered heads. Opinions?

[BlackZ71Silverado]

Just my opinion but I would not use hardware store bolts on my truck. I would order the kit if it were me.

[DaveH71]

If you can find the stainless bolts you need at the hardware store that are exactly the same size, i would get them. A bolt is a bolt, doesn't matter where you get it or what fancy label someone puts on it. I would look for shouldered ones if you can find them, if not just use a washer that fits.

[Black02Silverado]

Stainless diff bolts

[wavery]

It doesn't matter what store that you buy your fasteners from. What matters is the quality of the fastener. Be sure that your fasteners are made in the U.S. The quality of the steel and quality control is far superior.

 

Chances are, if you purchase some pre-packaged, fancy marketed fastener that is advertised to do a specific job, it stands a pretty good chance of being Chinese crap that is packaged and merchandised on the internet.

 

When using S/S bolts in a cast iron housing, I would recommend a good thread sealer. ANY time that you mix metals, you will encounter degrading of material. A good thread sealer (like Locktite) will keep the bolt from seizing in the hole.

 

BTW..... S/S bolts look pretty but serve little other function. Any good bolt will hold on the diff cover. A mild steel bolt will be closer in composition to the cast iron housing then a S/S. The S/S bolt may not rust but it may cause the housing to corrode faster. I'd rather buy new bolts any day.

[Doug_Scott]

Stainless bolts also tend to be "softer" than standard metal bolts. Take one old bolt into your local Brafasco or Fastenal and have them sell you 10 replacements for them. Ask for direct match bolts.