Special KTM butter bolts + ****** torque wrench = beer o clock.

[Chris-CJ]

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Hey folks, if you're installing a small bolt (under 3/8" or 12mm) into aluminum and you have applied lubricant (oil, anti-seize, etc.) don't tighten it to the specified torque setting. Those settings are for dry bolts and you risk stripping the aluminum threads. Cut the torque specs in half for lubed bolts, and use a BEAM type inch/lb wrench for the best accuracy.

If I'm replacing stripped bolts I like to use SAE grade 8 for allens and torx or for my metric bikes I use ISO class 10.9 (the black ones). I buy them at Brafasco or Bolts Plus. Stainless and grade 5 (usually what the factory uses) are too soft.

What is the procedure with the use of Loctite?
Will the "red" or the "blue" each require different pressure for the same size fastener?
Should you even use Loctite on bolts that did not come with it?
Is it better to reserve the use of anti-seize with "hot areas", (I mean exhaust studs/bolts) only?
Interestingly, the case screws of my laptop (wee little things) came with Loctite blue!

 

[Dimitri]

Interestingly, the case screws of my laptop (wee little things) came with Loctite blue!

It might be blue, but the commercially available Loctite in bottles is purple for screws so small. That's one problem with preapplied thread sealants, companies use all sorts of colors. Even some of Loctite's own colors can be confusing, there are reds of different strengths for example.

Anti-seize should be used on high temp fasteners, wet applications and when stainless steel hardware is used with stainless threads or nuts to prevent gulling. Otherwise, you are typically just wasting it.

I personally, as a technician avoid loctite unless it was there to start. Think about it this way, if it didn't need it before why use it now? Unless you have a vibration issue causing them to losen, and then a proper lock washer like a Nordlock is great.

 

[85K100]

Loctite Red is for permanent attachments. Don't use it on things that you may have to remove someday.

 

[bitzz]

Loctite did no one any favours by selling blue or red thread locker.
You differentiate Loctite by number

http://wdarc.org/Loctite%20Guide.pdf

 

[Dimitri]

Loctite Red is for permanent attachments. Don't use it on things that you may have to remove someday.

Depends, Loctite 262 is red, but good for things like crank bolts. Use Loctite 263, and you'll need the torch to undo it.

 

[Roadghost]

I use a rubberized pipe thread sealant instead of a thread-locker, and only on bolts that came with it from the manufacturer. One of the reasons is because Loctite can make a mess out of your threads depending on where you use it. Grade 5 metals and aluminums won't ever hold a bolt the same after you remove a bolt with Loctite on it, even the blue stuff. I torque all my bolts to spec on my shakes-like-a-paint-mixer Harley and I have never had one come loose in thousands of miles of riding. The only time I ever used red Loctite is inside an engine on mains, oil pump bolts etc. where grade 8 bolts are used on cast iron.

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