Preventing screw/bolt head corrosion

[ohnovino]

I've had a fun afternoon taking a power drill to my hybrid shifters. The rear gear cable had obviously gone inside the shifter, and I couldn't get the cover off because the two screw heads were both really badly corroded. In the end I had to drill the heads off, pull the rest of the screws out with pliers and then find a couple of replacements. I've had a similar problem before with stem face-plate bolts rusting away.

What should I be doing to stop this happening? Or is it just a case of keeping an eye on all the fittings and replacing them before it's too late?

 

[fossala]

You should get surface rust but not corrosion. If you want to stop the rust just use a very very thin layer of grease, think pass over with a tiny paint brush.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I normally give them I smear of grease.

 

[Profpointy]

What above chaps have said - dob of grease...

Or replace with stainless (or titanium, if you're a tart). I bought a mixed box of stainless cap screws (ie allen key / hex head) and systematically replaced most of the screws on my bike(s). Especially worthwhile on the nasty phillips / pozi intermediate off-standard special extra soft metal ( possible made from cheese) used for derailleur adjusters.

 

[ohnovino]

Thanks all, I'll get the grease out.

With hindsight, I think the heads were so bad because they are recessed in the shifter cover, so if I go out in the rain they have a nice puddle of water to sit in. I'll try to remember to dry them off when I put the bike away wet.