Obviously strength is not critical in the areas where the OP is having a
problem: the screws are going into aluminum. *Any* steel fastener,
stainless
or not, is stronger than aluminum, and if there's going to be a
mechanical failure, it won't be in the steel.

A quick lesson... The thread strength could be stronger than the "twist
off" strength of any bolt you put in there... It all depends on how many
threads you catch, whether the thread was cut or roll tapped, and some other
(useless?) information to most folks...

Imagine you have a threaded (tapped) hole that is 1/4" deep with a 3/4"
stainless bolt. You will likely strip the threads out before you break the
bolt... Not make the hole 3" deep and fully threaded... The bolt will snap
if tightened too much before the sum "shear point" of the threads is
reached...

Stainless should be fine to use, but it brings a lot of problems along with
it and I totally agree with another poster who said not to use it where
strength is needed.

If you need strength, go with grade 5 black oxide. It's ugly, but rust
somewhat resistant.

Want to learn more?
http://www.tribology-abc.com/calculators/stripping.htm

http://dodgeram.org/tech/specs/bolts..._strength.html

http://www.guhring.com/downloads/GUH...ass_Lo_Res.pdf

http://www.autodrill.com (My site)

http://www.multi-drill.com (My site again - with drilling and some tapping
reference tools)

Joe in Northern, NJ - V#8013-R

Currently Riding The "Mother Ship"

Ride a motorcycle in or near NJ?
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