Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > General Motorcycles only > Stainless bolt replacement in calipers?

[Jasper]

I have just bought some of these Gp Billets for the SP5 and looking at replacing the bolts that hold the two halves together with stainless or Ti 'cos the standard ones ALWAYS rust(in fact are rusting in the picture of a new caliper!!)!SS of course is the cheaper option but is never used in high stress areas ie caliper mounting bolts,but would it be ok for this use?Your opinions please.

[ChrisBushell]

Be aware that there are many grades of stainless steel, I get mine from Dave Middleton (he advertises in Classic Bike) and have to say that I have yet to break one.

I got some cheaper ones a couple of years ago and have had two 8mm engine bolts break already.

You have been warned!

[Jasper]

Thanks Chris,
I use Dave as well!

[BIG-G]

Get some titanium from probolt. Email them direct or phone the boss Kev.

[khushy]

I put some Ti caliper mounting bolts in my Brembo monoblocs - after just 1 week, I managed to get three out - the head of the fourth cracked and 7 drills later it was still stuck on there!!!

Had to buy a cobalt drillbit - when it did come off - I found out that the bolt had seized on just the HEAD!!!!

This happened even though the bolts were thoroughly greased before putting them in.

Use Stainless - just to be safe.

Khushy

PS - the Ti bolts were bought from ProBolt.

[Edited on 6-11-2005 by khushy]

[Edited on 6-11-2005 by khushy]

[Simon Reed]

best advise,is to contact the brembo importer !www.gprdirect.com

theres no substitute for oe stuff,after all,they're brakes !

[Jasper]

I did contact grp.They didn't know what the bolts were in the monoblocs.Khushy's experience speaks volumes.Plus i wouldn't touch pro-bolts titanium for anything other than pretty stuff!!

[Rushjob]

I've used A4 stainless in these applications for years now.....
Recommended to me by a TT scrutineer.....

[yeti]

Get the right grade of stainless and you'll be fine. Plenty of copper slip round the heads tho....

[Stealth]

Stainless has less tensile strength than convential steel bolts. i would think twice about using them in sucha high stress area.
titanium alloy bolts are also a risk unless you go for high tensile grades of tianium fasteners. Pro-bolt are OK for cosmetic applications but appear too soft for high stress areas. If you cab get high grade Ti alloy fasteners then these are an ideal choice (I recommend Poggipolini - although the British contact is mercurial! i.e. promises to get stuff and then goes off the radar!). JHP usually have a selection of Poggipolini. Don't skimp on cost for usch an important application.