Loctite wheel bolts?

[David53]

My car has MM style wheel bolts as opposed to the later nuts. What is everyone's thought about dabbing some Loctite 262 on them when refitting the wheel? I have recently re-tapped the threads in the hub due to some damage and they do spin in much more freely than they did previously. They do tighten up nicely and seem good and firm but would hate them to loosen themselves in transit!

[Alec]

Hello David,

if the threads have been damaged, then Loctite will be a waste of time. I would ensure that they are either good , repaired or new hubs fitted. I don't know if it's practical to fit studs instead of bolts?
The loss of a wheel is not really much of a joke.

Alec

[mike.perry]

Check the wheel bolts frequently and if there is any sign of them slacking off then you could try my solution of welding bolts into the hubs, provided that you can find wheel nuts to fit.

[bmcecosse]

Don't see any harm in doing so. If the bolts tighten to the correct torque there shouldn't be any problem anyway.

[Alec]

Hello BMCE,

as the first post said that the holes have been tapped, and that the bolts "spin much more freely" tells me that metal has been removed, not a good situation with safety critical items. Loctite will not do anything to aid that.

My guess is that the bolts will not torque up properly.

Alec

[bmcecosse]

Which is why I added the caveat about torquing!

[Matt]

however if the threads were damaged before tapping them out will of course make them easier! Or a lot of mess has been removed

If the threads are the right size and there is no apparent damage I would just torque up to spec.

[David53]

They do torque up fine, nice and tight. I just added a little Loctite anyway to be on the safe side. Have just done 300 miles and they are still nice and tight Prob over-reacting but figure it can't hurt.....

[bmcecosse]

Until you get a flat on a dark and stormy night - and can't get the wheel off.......

[David53]

Ahh but the 262 Loctite comes undone nicely with a bit of extra pressure

[Matt]

people dont seem to understand loctite...

There are hundreds of different grades of the stuff from permenantly glueing a bolt in through bearing fit to preventing vibration allowing the bolt to come loose (2-3 ft/lb extra to get it undone)

[bmcecosse]

Matt - I do throughly understand Loctite having used it extensively in Industry. Some grades DO effectively almost weld the parts together. I thought it was obvious my tongue was firmly in my cheek when replying above.......

[ian.mcdougall]

Trouble is bmc some people dont know if you are serious or have your tongue in your cheek, perhaps the mods can generate a smilie with its tongue in cheek