Rusting Washers - Side Steps

[motastic]

I read somewhere - buy once, cry once - I should have listened. I bought an inexpensive pair of side steps from TACUSA on amazon. 8 months later, the washers look like this. The steps themselves are still ok. I have a couple questions for the experts out there.

1 - Will the corroded/rusted washers and bolts damage the paint on the pinch weld? (i think that's what it's called)
2 - How can I prevent it in the future? special washers and bolts?

Any help is appreciated!

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[chevymitchell]

I read somewhere - buy once, cry once - I should have listened. I bought an inexpensive pair of side steps from TACUSA on amazon. 8 months later, the washers look like this. The steps themselves are still ok. I have a couple questions for the experts out there.

1 - Will the corroded/rusted washers and bolts damage the paint on the pinch weld? (i think that's what it's called)
2 - How can I prevent it in the future? special washers and bolts?

Any help is appreciated!

Take those off and go buy some zinc plated hardware from Lowe's.

 

[Warlocke]

Take those off and go buy some zinc plated hardware from Lowe's.

Stainless Steel hardware would be better.

 

[chevymitchell]

Stainless Steel hardware would be better.

Stainless Steel will cause galvanic corrosion when placed against steel. Putting Stainless hdwr through the pinch weld will eventually cause galvanic corrosion to start within the pinch weld where it can't be seen. Mainly because there is a small air gap between the sheets of material. Humidity and trapped salt fog will be a problem. You never want to put Stainless hdwr through material where there is a chance for moisture to collect.

 

[motastic]

Take those off and go buy some zinc plated hardware from Lowe's.

Someone mentioned putting nylon washers behind each of the replacement metal ones. So the nylon ones would be against the frame of the jeep. What do you think?

 

[chevymitchell]

Someone mentioned putting nylon washers behind each of the replacement metal ones. So the nylon ones would be against the frame of the jeep. What do you think?

Don’t over think this.

You don’t want nylon in there either. The hardware’s clamping force won’t be where it needs to be. Grab some plated hardware and replace what you have there. Torque to spec. There’s nothing special to your situation. You just have some cheap hardware on there now and you need some plated hdwr to replace it.

 

[JeepinPete]

Don't waste your time with Lowe's hardware. It will look the same in short order unless you buy hot dip galvanized. McMaster sell corrosion resistant washers rated for 1000 hr salt spray. Those will hold up in NY.

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