Changing Defender 90 Rear tailgate bolts to stainless.

[GlennA]

Hi all,

I'm changing the door bolts to stainless on a MY12 Defender 90 as they are starting to rust and have done the front door, all good. Wondering if the nuts on the inside of the tailgate rear barn door are spot welded so I can just change out or do I need to remove the interior liner below the small rear windows to access the locknuts? Access is difficult as I have a built-in window box..

Cheers,
GlennA

[Tombie]

No such luck sorry.

The top hinge can be accessed by moving the panel out a little.

I’d say you’d be able to do the same with the lower ones.

Don’t forget to coat the stainless where it could contact the alloy or you’ll get corrosion quickly.

[DazzaTD5]

Just to add what Tombie has said.

When using stainless bolts and stainless nut, use nickel anti-seize on the threads or they will suffer galling (cold welding for the want of a better explanation).
Also dont use copper anti-seize on stainless.

[Plutei]

Didn't know this, why not use copper grease?
Just to add what Tombie has said.

When using stainless bolts and stainless nut, use nickel anti-seize on the threads or they will suffer galling (cold welding for the want of a better explanation).
Also dont use copper anti-seize on stainless.

[Tombie]

Didn't know this, why not use copper grease?

It reacts! Strongly. Dissimilar metals.