nylock nuts and thread lock goo

[RogHodge]

Quick question for the HF trailer pros- more specifically the nylock nuts and thread locking goo.

So, when a person threads-unthreads-threads… a nylock nut- does it loose its locking ability?

Question two- would you advise unscrewing each nut in the frame and applying a little red thread locker then retightening them, or would the mildly used nylock nuts hold fine?

Thanks in advance

[teardrop_focus]

Hey, Rog!

Are the nylon locking portion of your trailer fasteners' opaque white, or are they blue?

True Nylok locknuts have blue-colored inserts. They can be used more than once...

Chances are that your trailers' fasteners are of only average quality, if that, and if you're terribly concerned with bolt unions coming loose then find the appropriate torque value for the size and thread pitch (if necessary) and use a torque wrench. And yes, a drop of Locktite is good insurance.

You shouldn't really have many problems with bolt unions coming loose unless you're going off road in rough terrain and/or spend much time driving over washboard roads. I'd be more concerned with HF trailer steel alloy quality than with bolts coming loose. In other words, you should be fine.

[Arne]

all of the above. just a comment.. many bolts will be difficult to get to (access to bolt and nut) to retighten after the body is on top, so I would use the red as well as the nylock nuts and not have to worry....

[TwilightLane]

Good question Rog. I was wondering that myself, and hadnt even formulated it into a question yet!!

[Shadow Catcher]

Having just redone a trailer HF like, Head down to Tractor supply pick up a couple of handfuls (they charge by the pound) of grade eight bolts washers and lock washers, slather it with antisieze and torque it tight.

[RogHodge]

Thanks all-

I think I will take the time to loosen each nut and put a drop of loctite on each. Arne is right, there will be 4 that will be hidden under the floor- the others will be a pain where pain ought not to be.

I think Chris has the most accurate thought [quote]“I'd be more concerned with HF trailer steel alloy quality than with bolts coming looseâ€

[Arne]

If you ever get in that situation, I've grabbed the bolt end with a pair of vice grips and then tightened the nut (if you have enough bolt showing).

[Dale M.]

Just weld trailer.......

Dale

[Corwin C]

I've been guilty of slotting the end of a bolt for a flat screwdriver to hold it while tightening the nut.

Rule of thumb (I don't know how effective it is): if you can turn a lock nut on the bolt without tools, it is not any good ... use a new nut, lock washer, or threadlocker.

On my projects ... fasteners are cheap - invest in new ones if there is a question.

[LDK]

I have a bolt together trailer too and I found out that the red thread locking goo is better that the blue kind. I also have nylock nuts and lock washers. Maybe thats overkill but I want to make sure my trailer doesn't come apart.------Larry

[Rock]

Or you could just let the trailer sit in the rain for a little bit before dropping the body on it. The HF fastners will corrode enough to keep them from going anywhere.

Eric

[LDK]

Is that through your own personal experence Eric??

[Larry C]

Quick question for the HF trailer pros- more specifically the nylock nuts and thread locking goo.

So, when a person threads-unthreads-threads… a nylock nut- does it loose its locking ability?

Question two- would you advise unscrewing each nut in the frame and applying a little red thread locker then retightening them, or would the mildly used nylock nuts hold fine?

Thanks in advance

Rog..
I agreee with Teardrop_Focus, torque each bolt to the proper torque. If your nyloks no longer offer resistance during tightening, just replace the nuts if you can find them (metric).
Actually it may be less expensive to replace the bolts and nuts (using SAE). You don't really need grade 8 fasteners, (althought it won't hurt) for this application, grade 5 is adequate.
You won't need any thread locker if you use new nyloks. Also, I would avoid using Red Locktite. It is a high strength anerobic thread locker that was designed for larger fasteners in tapped holes (actually there is more than one Red Locktite). This product is considered permanent! The blue Locktite "Nut Locker" was designed for smaller nut/bolt thread locking. The Red is quite difficult to unfasten without high heat (torch), especially with smaller fasteners. If you want to be able to do future repairs or alterations, don't use Red. Remember, I am talking about "Locktite" brand, which is a quality industrial/automotive product. If you are using an off brand generic product, I can't say what's the best. Industrial distributors offer the greatest selection of the various "in between strength" Locktite products. Typical Auto parts stores have fewer selections available. Blue and red being the most common.
I sold Locktite products and other brand thread lockers for years. I have been to several product training seminars. Each thread locker is an engineered product that was designed for a specific task. It is a common misconception that if it's "a higher strength product, it must be better". It couldn't be further from the truth. It was always difficult to convince industrial maintainence mechanics to use the proper thread locker. They would always just buy the Red. It's kind of like over building a Teardrop, If it's heavy, it must be better. "Overkill is always better".. Right?

These are just my opinions, I think everyone elses suggestions are perfectly valid.


Oh... thanks for the answer to my PM about your spring rebuild.


Larry