Loctite, which one and where?

[thecrow71]

I searched for an answer for this and didn’t really find the answer I was looking for.I know there’s a bunch of different bolts and nuts obviously putting a square body back together, but is there a quick reference anywhere to say where are you should use blue or red on getting your vehicle back together? Or just a good general rule to use. Thank you.

 

[thecrow71]

For example, I’m about ready to start installing the gearbox which obviously is up by the engine little more shaking, rattling vibration. I figure blue on most everything, but are there occasions where you use red? Thanks again.

 

[brooksman9]

Red- You never want it to come apart again…ever!

 

[Corvette Ed]

Blue and torque to spec.

 

[fast 99]

Really don't need Loctite except for a few items. Those would be parts like driveline, sometimes caliper depending on design, floating axle bolts, may be steering shaft. Items like that. Certainly, don't want it on engine brackets bolts, accessories, intake bolts, lug nuts, ect. Sometimes an anerobic gel could be used on wheel seals, backside of rear main seal, ect.

If you have a specific sealer or Loctite application question someone could answer it rather than generalize like this.

 

[Radiohead]

I'm of the school blue to reuse, red to trash out and start over. But only certain things need worry about vibrating out, and most are solved by the appropriate fastener stop device (lock or star washers for example) and proper torque.

 

[Ricko1966]

Think about this for a minute,when you took it apart was there loctite? When you took it apart was it all tight after countless years? Did a book or manufacturers instructions tell you to loctite it? Some say loctite doesn't affect torque values? Some say reduce 20% . Think,ask,and think again when you want to use loctite.

 

[Ricko1966]

@Radiohead red comes right apart heat it with propane. I don't use it often but it's usually red. I used to use it on every motor I built,torque the rods then a drop of red on each rod bolt to wick on the threads,just to make sure. Non of the rods came off the Motors I built. I quit doing it and still non the rods ever came off. Go figure.

 

[fast 99]

One thing I can say for sure, European manufacturers must buy it in 55 gal drums.

 

[thecrow71]

Points taken
Thank you

 

[Camar068]

Red- You never want it to come apart again…ever!

amen!! Don't ever put red on rilfe scope rings....never done it but tons have done it per the web. I only keep blue at work and in my garage.

 

[Buck69]

As a rule, loctite is not a good idea with aluminum. Using it with fine thread is also a waste of money. Every screw that has gone back into the chassis I am working on gets never-seize, but we deal with a lot of crap on our winter roads. Correct torque is more important for fasteners as mentioned.
I use a pile of red and even some green on the job for equipment running gear, but that is more for their rattle and vibration issues.

 

[SquareRoot]

Red and a breaker bar. If that's not enough a good cross thread beats loctite every time.

 

[thecrow71]

Points taken
Thank you

 

[scrap--metal]

Every screw that has gone back into the chassis I am working on gets never-seize, but we deal with a lot of crap on our winter roads.

+1 for anti-seize. The only thing I use loctite on is those E8 inverted torx steering column bolts.