Nylon or metal nut for pylon bolt?

Two of the nylon nuts on the bolts that hold my tramp to my pylons are cracked. I went to the hardware store looking for two new nuts, but they didn't have the exact right size. Would it be ok to use a stainless steel nut with a stop ring? Any input on what should and should not be used? Thanks.

Either will work fine. I'd use a little tef-gel or similar to inhibit corrosion with the SS. The key is not too overtighten and crack the castings which are relatively brittle. (That's why nylon was there to begin with.) The bolt is doing all the work; the nut isn't bearing much load.....just holds the bolt in.

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Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16

Wrong size nut would be a problem. The nut has to match the threads of the pylon bolt.



What's a stop ring?

In any case, as stated above, a stainless steel nut would be fine. Just make sure it's the proper thread pitch and don't over-tighten it or you may crack the casting - just make it snug and either use a nyloc nut or use loctite on the threads.

sm

stop ring? referring to a lock nut


Trouble is the S/S lock nuts you'll find (at the hardware store bins) for this size bolt are too deep for the older pylon bolts
(locking portion of nut will never engage bolt threads)...don't ask me how I know.
You'll need to go somewhere like McMaster Carr and look for what's referred to as a "thin" lock nut.

The bolts are standard (not fine) thread, but I don't recall what size.

Or...you can purchase longer bolts that will work with off the shelf lock nuts

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Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

Thanks for the clarifications guys.....I read the original post as the store didn't have nylon in the right size, so he was switching to an SS nylock of the correct size. Wrong diameter and/or depth would obviously not work very well.

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Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16

This is what you need...

NYLOCK NUT 1/2-13 (SS) THIN

Funny I just replaced the plastic ones on my boat last weekend. They were in terrible shape I can't believe I had not lost one. I ordered mine from Murray's.

The nut that I use are stainless steel low profile 1/2" locking thread (nylon insert) with standard thread. My 21SE uses 1/2" fine thread locking stainless steel. I also like to a little anti-seize thread lube too just in case...
I buy those at my local Fastenal company

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Bill 404 21SE