Replacing differential cover bolts with Stainless Steel?

14GMCSLTSIERRA · May 27, 2016

I was just sitting back looking at my trucks sexy butt last night and thought to my self...Stainless Steel bolts would look great on my differential...thoughts? Anyone do this? What size are they? I think it would look great, subtle yes, but nice!

O_J_Simpson · May 27, 2016

Dis-simular metals won't play well together.

07Softail · May 28, 2016

Dis-simular metals won't play well together.

That's BS.... Get your stainless bolts and use anti-seize and your good. I have stainless fasteners all over my 32 and 55 chevy's and Harley Davidson's.

RT

thetruck454 · May 28, 2016

Anti-sieze does wonders. Especially with stainless on stainless, that shit loves to gall.

Maine-iac · June 2, 2016

does anyone know the bolt size?

diyer2 · June 2, 2016

Anti - seize for sure.

14GMCSLTSIERRA · June 3, 2016

does anyone know the bolt size?

That would be great info for me too!

07Softail · June 3, 2016

Take one off the top of the cover and match it up.... i'm sure its metric

RT

Deanjo · June 3, 2016

My biggest concern would be the weakness of stainless steel bolts.

07Softail · June 3, 2016

It's a diff cover.... Not a real high stress area they will be fine!

RT

Deanjo · June 3, 2016

It's a diff cover.... Not a real high stress area they will be fine!

RT

You are still looking at torquing around 30 ft/lbs and that is pretty dang high for small stainless bolts.

Jdkno · June 4, 2016

Get some ARP bolts for it.

I for one would not just run into home depot and try to match the existing bolt up with something in one of their bins. I would at least get some grade 8 bolts, 30lbft on a grade 8 should not be an issue.

Another option would be to clean up the existing bolts with brake cleaner then just use an artist brush to paint the existing heads with silver caliper paint. From as far back as you would need to stand to see them you would not be able to tell the difference between painted and stainless.

HoosierZ · June 4, 2016

I pulled out a screw and checked it. They are M8x1.25. They are 20mm long and grade 10.9. I doubt they are torqued to 30 ft-lbs as the head is only 10mm.

07Softail · June 4, 2016

LOL...I have never torqued a diff cover bolt!

RT

14GMCSLTSIERRA · June 4, 2016

I pulled out a screw and checked it. They are M8x1.25. They are 20mm long and grade 10.9. I doubt they are torqued to 30 ft-lbs as the head is only 10mm.

Thank you!!