Grounding ideas to chasis/frame

[N4RNR]

Just curious what people have to say about the best way to ground to the frame/chassis in terms of the type of screw used.

It seems that after time, a standard steel screw exposed to the elements (undercarriage etc) will rust/corrode, making it not the best conductor. How do people feel about using a stainless steel screw for grounding? It wont corrode, BUT I have read that stainless does not conduct as well, is this significant? How does this compare to zinc or other plating in terms of balancing resistance to corrosion vs conductivity? I know copper is one of the best conductors, but does anyone use copper screws for grounding? How about a steel screw then coating in some sort of rust preventative or dielectric grease?

Just putting ideas out there to see what people have to say, esp those who subject their vehicles to mud/snow and other harsh elements. We've all seen chassis ground screws corroded then undo them and sand down to bare metal, but figured maybe there's a better way to avoid this?

 

[Brian3676]

You don't necessarily need to worry about the bolt conducting assuming you clean the frame well enough that the metal has good contact. Why do you need to ground to the frame specifically?

If you have to do the frame, I would clean the frame good so metal shows, use a zink nut/bolt (streel will rust, stainless will gall). Coat it in some corrosion resistant coating.

 

[wcjeep]

You could coat/paint the screw/bolt. Could also use liquid electrical tape. I prefer a few coats of paint.

 

[EZDog]

Wiring & Grounding

73
Ed

Just curious what people have to say about the best way to ground to the frame/chassis in terms of the type of screw used.

It seems that after time, a standard steel screw exposed to the elements (undercarriage etc) will rust/corrode, making it not the best conductor. How do people feel about using a stainless steel screw for grounding? It wont corrode, BUT I have read that stainless does not conduct as well, is this significant? How does this compare to zinc or other plating in terms of balancing resistance to corrosion vs conductivity? I know copper is one of the best conductors, but does anyone use copper screws for grounding? How about a steel screw then coating in some sort of rust preventative or dielectric grease?

Just putting ideas out there to see what people have to say, esp those who subject their vehicles to mud/snow and other harsh elements. We've all seen chassis ground screws corroded then undo them and sand down to bare metal, but figured maybe there's a better way to avoid this?

 

[RonJR]

There are multiple grounds to the frame or body already on your 4runner. If you need to add another one, just copy one of those. Toyota has already done the engineering; internet science won't be an improvement on what they've done.

Generally Toyota uses a plated steel screw. If the screw is tightened properly, it makes what is known as a "gas tight" connection, meaning that the contact between metals is tight enough that gases and liquids can not insert themselves between the contacting layers to cause corrosion. This is standard stuff in connector theory. Crimped connectors on wires do the same thing.

 

[RAD4Runner]

You sure you want to ground to the chassis (aka frame), not the body?

You don't necessarily need to worry about the bolt conducting assuming you clean the frame well enough that the metal has good contact...

.. If the screw is tightened properly, it makes what is known as a "gas tight" connection, meaning that the contact between metals is tight enough that gases and liquids can not insert themselves between the contacting layers to cause corrosion. ...

These^^^
Make sure the ring terminals contact bare, shiny metal of the body/chassis, not rely on contact from body thread to screw thread to ring terminal.
I apply thin coat of silicone dielectric grease to parts before bolting them down. Did this to my battery terminals in 2013. They still look like new today.

 

[offshorebear]

I would use a star washer.

 

[octanejunkie]

I would use a star washer.

If you clean off all coatings from the frame and your ground materials, ring terminal Berkeley there is no need for a star washer. A star washer allows an air gap that invites rust unless you pack it with Dielectric grease or paint it

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk