Hardware Assembly Using Chemical Thread Locking & Sealing
Track Cars see incredible vibration and expansion/contraction of bolted assemblies. This causes fasteners to loose their torque and eventually fail. The old way of retaining fasteners was castle nuts with pins, lock washers, and safety wire. The new way is with chemical thread lockers. At 3DM Suspension we use Loctite thread lockers on virtually every fastener in a suspension. LOCTITE is the world’s leading brand for adhesives and sealants.
In addition to thread locking, Loctite also performs multiple other functions. Loctite acts as a lubricant when torquing fasteners which ensures proper torque specifications are obtained. This is similar to the concept of oiling cylinder head and crank bolts before installation. Loctite also acts like an anti seize. As the bolt is installed the loctite is distributed through all of the mictroscopic gaps in the threads. Once it cures it essentially seals the threads disallowing any moisture and oxygen to start the corrosion process.
THREAD LOCKERS AND SEALANTS
LOCTITE 222
We typically use this compound on set screws, retaining ring screws, data sensor mounting hardware and any other small fasteners.
Color: Purple
Strength: Low
Bolt Size: Set screws and bolts up to 6mm
LOCTITE 243
This is by far the most commonly used thread locker and we keep a big bottle of this around. We used to keep the traditional Loctite 242 on hand but 243 accomplishes the same thing with the added benefit of higher oil resistance. No need to keep them both around.
Color: Blue
Strength: Medium
Attributes: Oil resistant
Typical Bolt Size: 6mm up to 22mm
LOCTITE 263
We use this on spherical bearing top eyes and a few other high rotational load applications. We used to keep the traditional 262 on hand but Loctite 263 accomplishes the same thing with the added benefit of higher oil resistance. Again, No need to keep them both around.
Color: Red
Strength: High
Attributes: Oil resistant
Typical Bolt Size: 6mm to 22mm
LOCTITE 272
We keep a bottle of this around for one purpose... wheel studs. Brakes get very hot and the heat transfers into the wheel hub where the studs are retained by Loctite. The added temperature resistance of Loctite 272 helps ensure we don't have wheels studs coming loose.
Color: Red
Strength: High
Attributes: Temp resistant to 450F
LOCTITE 545
This thread sealant is designed for locking and sealing of metal pipes and fittings. Recommended for fine threaded fittings as used in hydraulic and pneumatic installations and small fittings in general.
Color: Red
Attributes: Thread Sealing
LOCTITE 7649
This is designed to promote the curing speed of LOCTITE anaerobic adhesives and sealants without any significant loss of joint strength. We use this track-side and/or when a newly assembled fastener needs to be used immediately.
Color: Clear
Attributes: spray
Technical Data Sheet
LOCTITE 7649
This is designed to promote the curing speed of LOCTITE anaerobic adhesives and sealants without any significant loss of joint strength. We use this track-side and/or when a newly assembled fastener needs to be used immediately.
Color: Clear
Attributes: spray
Technical Data Sheet
ASSEMBLY
For best results, clean all surfaces (external and internal) with a LOCTITE cleaner and allow to dry. (Brake clean works well for this)
If the material is an inactive metal or the cure speed is too slow, spray all threads with an activator such as LOCTITE 7649 and allow to dry.
Shake the product thoroughly before use.
To prevent the product from clogging in the nozzle, do not allow the tip to touch metal surfaces during application.
For through holes, apply several drops of the product onto the bolt at the nut engagement area.
For blind holes, apply several drops of the product down the internal threads to the bottom of the hole.
Assemble and tighten as required.
For Sealing Applications, apply a 360° bead of product to the leading threads of the male fitting, leaving the first thread free. Force the material into the threads to thoroughly fill the voids. For bigger threads and voids, adjust product amount accordingly and apply a 360° bead of product on the female threads also.
DISASSEMBLY
Remove with standard hand tools.
In rare instances where hand tools do not work because of excessive engagement length or because a high strength product was used, apply localized heat to nut or bolt to approximately
250°C. Disassemble while hot.