RockyMtn96XJ

I have aftermarket sway bar disconnects and I'd like to know what I can use for the sway bar disco upper bolt and bushing sleeve so they dont seize together? I had some kind of steel bolt and an aluminum sleeve (from Rusty's, the name should have given it away hahaha) and I ended up having to cut through the sleeve and bolt with my angle grinder since they had become 1 solid piece over the last 3 years. I dont wanna do that again. Whats a good metal combo, with or without lube, that'll stay fairly easy to remove in the future? And is lube a good idea, or worth worrying about for that spot? Should I get a greaseable bolt? MolyB?
Thanks!

This is in fabrication section also, just in case.

XJlimitedx99

Anti-sieze, my friend. Slather it all over the bolt you don't want to get stuck. No more problems.

RockyMtn96XJ

Oh I've got plenty of anti-seize hahaha... a large bottle and brush. I just wasnt sure if there was a more complex answer than just slapping some on there and calling it a day. But if its that easy........

Undone

Yep. When exposed steel and exposed aluminum touch and sit for an extended period of time, that creates a process specifically known as galvanic corrosion. I'm not sure anti-sieze lube can ultimately and completely prevent this because at some point you'd probably have some kind of contact between the two parts - but anti-seize is always better than no anti-seize.

This is why aluminum pop rivets shouldn't be used with steel (if you care about the parts not rusting). People will use aluminum rivets, thinking to themselves "hey these won't rust!" But they'll ultimately probably rust worse than having used steel pop rivets.

Getting a layer of paint between the parts can help also, but that's not always possible.

RockyMtn96XJ

So back to my original question, which was about compatible metals to use for suspension parts.....

So I guess everyone uses aluminum and steel, and has to deal with cutting bolts to remove them? No one uses other proven materials?

awg

No (automotive) metals are compatible (essentially), all will be subject to galvanic corrosion

I thought SS would be good, but no, a vastly experienced plant maintenance engineer said they will gall together as bad or worse than anything else