Rusted headset bolts - replacements?
#3
Senior Member

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,123
Likes: 4
From: Near Portland, OR
Bikes: Three road bikes. Two track bikes.
4mm M4 bolts are pretty commonly used in stems, however, some manufacturers differ. Just go to any decent hardware store (bring one of the old bolts) and ask them to point you towards the stainless steel metric machine screw section (doesn't have to be stainless, but after you get stainless, no need to worry about rust). Some of the stems use custom bolts, but most of those customizations are merely cosmetic. As long as the bolt head is the same diameter, it should work perfectly in place of the originals. Sometimes the customizations are to narrow the bolt head to make it fit in a recess; if you can't find a bolt to fit in the hardware store, you can use a power drill and a file to turn down the head diameter of the hardware store bolt down to the right diameter.
Or you can go to your bike shop and pay $5 for a bolt you'd get at the hardware store for $1.25. They sometimes can get the replacement bolts.
Lastly, rarely is the rust on stem bolts more than cosmetic. Most of the time if you take them out and spray them down with WD40, most of the rust will go away and they'll look okay again. Then, once it's clean, you can coat the bolt in a thin layer of machine oil to keep it from rusting again.
Or you can go to your bike shop and pay $5 for a bolt you'd get at the hardware store for $1.25. They sometimes can get the replacement bolts.
Lastly, rarely is the rust on stem bolts more than cosmetic. Most of the time if you take them out and spray them down with WD40, most of the rust will go away and they'll look okay again. Then, once it's clean, you can coat the bolt in a thin layer of machine oil to keep it from rusting again.
__________________
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
#4
my local pep-boys auto parts store has a section of metric stainless bolts, i actually just replaced the one that holds my stem cap on, that one was constantly rusting, because its right up top and holds sweat, grime and rain. stainless is the way to go.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 0
From: Mountain View, CA
Bikes: 2012 Scott CR1 Comp
I was told at an LBS that stainless and titanium bolts are bad, mostly due to the high stress location they are typically in on a bike (stem bolts, handlebar bolts, etc). Why would they think this?
#6
pan y agua

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,812
Likes: 1,234
From: Jacksonville
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
I use Ti bolts in most of my stems for cosmetic reasons just because I live in a coastal environment prone to rust and haven't had any problems.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Rudz
Commuting
41
10-09-15 02:50 AM








