Need to get some threadlock before taking out my prop-shaft. Are there different types (strengths) that I should be aware of and where is best to get some from (for the weekend pref)?

For the prop use Loctite 270

Rich.

Thanks Rich, got a 50ml bottle of ebay cheap - should keep me going through the winter!

Should you threadlock all types of nut/bolt such as nylocs in important locations such as the diff, wheels, suspension etc? I assume a couple of spanners are more than a match for even loctited nuts?

Red loctite is high strength "permanent" applications. Mostly meant for locking studs in and press fits.

Blue loctite is medium strength and is better suited to bolts that need to come out every now and then (like driveshaft bolts). I like to use blue loctite on any rotating fastener, and any suspension/steering fastener.

Having said that, one small drop of red loctite is probably the same effect as a large drop of blue stuff. I know Ive pulled out bolts with red loctite with no problem. The green/yellow stuff can be pretty hard though. Do not use that on small fasteners .


BTW nylocs are supposed to lock themselves on so long as you have only used them once, and didn't ram them down with an impact gun.
Cheers.

The 270 came in a red bottle - should I be using something else then? Also the nylocs are the ones that came off, so should I get some new ones?

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Also the nylocs are the ones that came off, so should I get some new ones?

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So, new nylocs and some 270 then or is 270 going to stop me getting them off again in the future?

Also, where is reliable for good nylocs?

Anyone else - blue or red loctite?

I would go for blue loctite as has been said.

As for nylocks, as long as they are metric, screwfix will sell them to you cheap, or try the yellow pages for a local nut and bolt supplier, I have got very friendly with mine over the build and he will quite often let me have stuff for free if its in small quantities.

Neither red nor blue is going to make it so that you cannot loosen the bolts off. Unless you absolutely coat the threads of a cheap small machine screw and tighten the full thread length.

Use a drop of red, or use a couple drops of blue when dealing with suspension bolts. Ive used red on small bolts (4mm) before with no problems. I prefer to use tools how they are designed to be used, but Im sure that is fine. Fine thread bolts usually take a while to loosen off anyhow and on a hobby car you will probably have taken it apart again by then .
Cheers.

red or blue loctite refers to the colour of the actual fluid itself. it's all in red bottles.

i originally put my prop in with blue(243), but don't know if i torqued up the bolts. they came loose, so i put them back in with red(271). when i stripped it down, i had a job on getting them out, but they did come out. i used those 2 specific grades as that's what we sell at work.

tom

Nuts , Bolts , Fastners , and Plumbing Handbook " , by Carroll Smith will tell you EVERYTHING you need to know.

Basically a correctly specified, and installed fastner will not loosen. Think of some of the most critical bolts in the engine. They are just torqued and they are fine.

However we cant always be sure we have specified, installed etc correctly, so we use Nylocs and Loctite.

Nylocs can be generally reused a few times.

Loctite comes in many grades and its not just varying strength. There are different viscosities, resistances to chemicals and strengths.

I generally use 3 types of Loctite.

638...... which is a high strength retainer, used for retaining bearings in housings or shafts in holes, ring gear on flywheels etc. This is serious stuff and will generally only break with heat. I also use it on threads if I do not want it to come apart.

243......(I think) its blue and medium grade. This is for all my general locking.

And another very weak grade for small fastners that I want to get apart very easily.

The Loctite website has (or did) a wealth of technical info. There telephone help line is also superb.

They also do a design manual that is worth getting hold of.....if you can!

John

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Originally posted by Just
The 270 came in a red bottle - should I be using something else then? Also the nylocs are the ones that came off, so should I get some new ones?

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we use loctite 242 for bolts and 244 for studs these are both blue and are designed to be withdrawn when required.

Which should I use for fitting brake calipers and discs? Thanks (Hispec 4 pot)