How to Prevent Stainless Steel Nuts & Bolts from Seizing (Galling)
Our stainless-steel nuts and bolts not only look great but also provide excellent strength and corrosion resistance. However, these fasteners can seize if they are not properly aligned or are tightened too quickly. This occurs because friction during tightening generates heat, which can cause the threads to bind. With RHINO’s stainless nut & bolt kits, this is an installation-related issue and is easily avoided.
Why Stainless Fasteners Gall
Stainless steel is more ductile than mild steel. When two stainless surfaces rub together at high speed (such as during impact-gun installation), heat builds up and the threads can bond together. This locks the nut and bolt, making removal impossible without cutting.
Proper installation completely prevents this.
Installation Guide- Suggestions
- Use a hammer drill or driver on a low torque setting. Avoid high‑speed impact guns.
- Apply nickel anti‑seize spray to the threads.
- (Optional) Dip nuts in lanolin oil.
Troubleshooting Page
If a bolt begins to bind:
• Stop immediately.
• Back the nut off while it still moves.
• Re‑apply anti‑seize.
• Replace parts if threads are damaged.
Why This Matters for Commercial Fleets & Trailer Builders
Proper installation ensures:
- Longer life of saddles and mounts
- No downtime due to seized hardware
- Reduced risk of cutting out bolts during maintenance
- Better long-term corrosion performance — especially for NZ and Australian conditions
Recommended Tools & Products
- Hammer drill/driver with variable torque
- Nickel anti-seize spray
- Lanolin oil
- Torque wrench
- Rhino Stainless nut & bolt kits
👉 View our full range of RHINO Plastic Saddles, Plastic Clamps, Aluminum Saddles all of which have the options to be purchased with Stainless Steel Nut & Bolt kits.