dawson Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 How do I tell / find out which nuts and bolts on my AZEQ6 are mild steel so I could potentially replace them before they start to rust. Thanks. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Due to the fact it's such a new model and not many folks have the AZEQ6, James I reckon you'd get an answer more readily from FLO. On the NEQ6 it's usually the alt bolts and az bolts that get replaced because they are mild steel and bend if forced. I haven't heard of rust problems with nuts or bolts on the premium mounts - unless left out in the rain uncovered obviously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted May 21, 2013 Author Share Posted May 21, 2013 I'll email FLO and ask them. Before i bought the mount i'd seen two second hand EQ6 mounts under two years old which had some rust on them, albeit small amounts, both on the bolts which hold the legs to the mount, but thought it might happen elsewhere and i'd like to minimise the risks of it happening to mine. I'll report back if i find out. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Please do James - you're going to be the font of all knowledge on this mount hehehe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted May 21, 2013 Author Share Posted May 21, 2013 Email sent. I'll report back. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T A WOW Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 A simple test would be to see if the bolts are magnetic. If they're not, then they'll be stainless, if they are then they may or may not be. Depends on the grade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 A2 Stainless is slightly magnetic, A4 which is a better grade isn't. A4 is around twice the cost of the former. Screwfix do a good range of Stainless fixings now, but have to be purchased in packs of 100 for smaller stuff, and lesser quantities for larger items, such as M12 and so on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted May 21, 2013 Author Share Posted May 21, 2013 Well i'll wait to see what is what first. I think FLO are great, but i'll be surprised if they know. We'll see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 They'll know - they have a habit of watching quality on the kit they sell and wouldn't want to flog rust buckets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perkil8r Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 (edited) This is not 100% reliable but most stainless bolts should be marked up as such on the head. They should be marked either A2 or A4, A2 is most common. As I say though, it is not 100% reliable as not all Stainless bolts are marked, just most. P.s. I have a big box of stainless bolts of various sizes and lengths in metric if you only need a few, just let me know what you need and I can have a look. They are all A2 grade. A2 will still rust a little eventually as it has some Chrome content. Edited May 22, 2013 by Perkil8r Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted May 22, 2013 Author Share Posted May 22, 2013 HDW 4.8 Is what it says on the heads of the three bolts which hold the legs to the mount plate. Google isn't being helpful other than saying the 4.8 might have something to do with the torque specifications. I'd just assumed stainless steel was stainless steel; interesting reading: http://www.graphskill.com/2011/03/21/grades-of-stainless-steel-a2-a4-in-relation-to-fasteners/ Cheers Mike, I'll let you know when I know. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perkil8r Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 4.8 refers to the tensile strength, those are indeed Mild steel bolts. (4.8 is tonnes BTW) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted May 22, 2013 Author Share Posted May 22, 2013 Steve from FLO has just emailed. He has contacted the engineer who is on holiday at present, but will forward me his reply when he's back. Interestingly Steve at FLO said he's just greased his bits which could potentially rust. I don't want to do that just yet as the car is already in an "astro-state" and don't want to add grease to the mix James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted July 4, 2013 Author Share Posted July 4, 2013 FLO can't find out this information; the engineer they contacted doesn't have the technical drawings for the mount. I'll just replace the three which hold the tripod legs onto the mount itself. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kheldar Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 Never seen a rusty mount myself - would suggest that they would have been abused if they had gone so? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted July 4, 2013 Author Share Posted July 4, 2013 When I was looking for a new [second hand] mount, I looked at a few, and at least two had rust on them, and they were under 2 years old. I'm keen to reduce the chance of this happening to mine, especially as it's now kept in the outside shed which is probably more humid than inside the house. I don't fancy grease as I don't want to mess the back of the car up when I transport it around. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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