Stem Bolts

brazilianhipster

Can anyone recommend me some decent stem bolts (M5 x 18mm). I managed to bust two of the four bolts whilst fitting my 3T ARX Team stem. I'm now nervous using Ti bolts! Stainless would do - not fussed about saving grams!

I've come across a number of eBay sellers from HK, who are selling Ti bolts. Are these any good?

Wooliferkins

No offence, but you might want to look at a torque wrench while you're there.

Yossie

Ti bolts are as strong as anything which is why they use them in aeroplanes/racing cars and bikes. The Tuning Works (www.thetuningworks.co.uk/) will sort you out - Sean who owns/runs it is really helpful helpful, excellent prices and knows his stuff (ex-RAFfast jets engineer). Not sure exactly why a) you want to go to HK for them and b) why you are shoppping on eBay for them when there are squillions of people selling them over here (TTW, ProBolt, Demon Tweeks to name but 3 offhand).

Agree completely re the torque wrench - I'm not sure what/how you are doing them up, but I've never seen anyone snap a Ti bolt let alone 2 ...... If you;re doing this to Ti bolts then with all due respect get a torque wrench before you snap everything else on the bike.

Stem bolts are only 5Nm max, so that's not even engine mounting bolt FT ..........

Copperslip, torque in place, job jobbed.

Wooliferkins

The 3T bolts are available as a spares kit they're only 15mm long.

brazilianhipster

The bolts snapped, whilst using an expensive torque wrench, set at 5Nm. I even made sure the bolts were smeared with anti-seize paste prior to tightening.

There are many accounts of people snapping Ti bolts, even whilst using a torque wrench.

I've now taken up this matter with 3T and Wiggle.

Not impressed.

rothers_bikeo

Whilst even the best titanium is not a strong as high tensile steel If your snapping M5 Ti bolts at 5 Nm then either the bolts are rubbish or the torque wrench needs calibrating. A good quality 4AV4V G5 Ti M5 bolt can easily withstand 7 Nm.

Yossie

brazilianhipster wrote:

The bolts snapped, whilst using an expensive torque wrench, set at 5Nm. I even made sure the bolts were smeared with anti-seize paste prior to tightening.

There are many accounts of people snapping Ti bolts, even whilst using a torque wrench.

I've now taken up this matter with 3T and Wiggle.

Not impressed.

Hmmm - I'd get your wrench calibrated or check that you aren't using ft/lbs instead of Nm by mistake - I've built many things using Ti bolts (they currently hold my race m/bike together) and have never had a problem and have also never heard of people snapping them. The Air Force and TT/Moto GP teams seem to be able to use them no problem at all.

If you don't want Ti anymore then buy stainless steel at 4p a bolt from any supplier - if you are "not impressed" then the last thing I would be looking at is Ti bolts from eBay from Hong Kong .....

But that's just me.

keef66

I'm thinking 3T must be buying their Ti bolts from a Chinese Ebay seller

Wheelspinner

^^ Me too.

I also have a 3T Arx Team Stem, use a (calibrated) torque wrench, plus grease, and also managed to snap one of their crap "titanium" bolts at a setting of 4Nm.

Nice stem. Rubbish bolts.