Thread: Why do all my bolts rust?

Have you got a ERPS system on the landy, my mates got a pootrol and since he's had the ERPS system put on he reckons the bull bar is being used as a sacrificial anode!

Nope, no ERPS.

Did you use mild steel, high tensile or galvanised bolts/nuts?

ERPS does not work. All stories to the contrary are anecdotal with no basis in fact or science. For your problem, especially with your liking for the beach, a good spray with lanolin or the like, about a litre every 12 months and your Defer will thank you.

Originally Posted by ugu80

ERPS does not work. All stories to the contrary are anecdotal with no basis in fact or science.

Is there science to say it doesnt work? I suspect there is some pretty basic science to say it does work while trying to recall way back to my material science and chemistry lectures. Whether it is usefully effective may be a different story.

I suspect it may have something to do with dissimilar metals reacting also, where the steel is sacrificed. Much like the door frames rusting.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

Is there science to say it doesnt work?

Yes. Lots. Physics is more relevant to this than chemistry. The subject has been discussed ad infinitum but, basically, the whole car has to be surrounded by a conductive medium for ERPS to work (which is why it is used on ships) i.e instead of just driving along the beach actually drive it into the ocean and leave it there, it will work until its power source expires.

Also see 'Post Purchase Rationalization' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-pu...ationalization

"Ye' Cannae Break Th' Laws o' Physics!!"

Originally Posted by firsttimedefender

Did you use mild steel, high tensile or galvanised bolts/nuts?

The bolts came with my Bearmach wheel carrier, pretty sure they would be high tensile steel.

For your problem, especially with your liking for the beach, a good spray with lanolin or the like, about a litre every 12 months and your Defer will thank you.

I've used fish oil to slow down rust, it seems to work pretty well. My main question though is why the bolts on my wheel carrier have started rusting, when they've never been exposed to salt water.

Rust happens at the interface between the wet and dry metal, even not drying water off after washing or rain, not just sea water. The only effective prevention of oxidization is a barrier on the metal i.e. paint, galvanizing with zinc or a coating of oil. After washing and drying, try a light spray of WD40 on the bolts to give a protective layer.