Loctite Advice Please
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Vermont
Loctite Advice Please
I am replacing the bracket that bolts to the heads and holds the horn assy. on my Street Glide. I had a very difficult time getting the original damaged one off the bike. The bolts from the factory had red Loctite on them. Im guessing they used Red for a reason but in aluminum heads? I guess with the weight and vibration its probably a good idea? I also have a Wards Fan attached to the bracket so Im thinking its all the more reason to use Red again for reassembly. Can anyone offer a suggestion on this? Thanks
Loctite basics......Blue it's plenty for most applications red is a pain to remove. From experience red holds up to heat over time better than blue.
Never use any type of loctite on plastic surfaces it will deteriorate plastic over time. Such as nylon bolts and nuts as well as zinc or stainles bolts that thread into plastic.
Never use any type of loctite on plastic surfaces it will deteriorate plastic over time. Such as nylon bolts and nuts as well as zinc or stainles bolts that thread into plastic.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 200
Likes: 108
From: Peabody Ma
Some thread lockers are also for different applications. There are a few different grade blues for example. One for new fasteners and another that is meant to be used with older stuff. Look for oil tolerant one. I think it's loctite 248.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,962
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From: NY
I am replacing the bracket that bolts to the heads and holds the horn assy. on my Street Glide. I had a very difficult time getting the original damaged one off the bike. The bolts from the factory had red Loctite on them. Im guessing they used Red for a reason but in aluminum heads? I guess with the weight and vibration its probably a good idea? I also have a Wards Fan attached to the bracket so Im thinking its all the more reason to use Red again for reassembly. Can anyone offer a suggestion on this? Thanks
Red loctite is too aggressive a bond & overkill for holding a light wt brkt with no load on it & isn't needed there.
And we all know not everything HD does makes sense or is the right thing to do and using aggressive red lictite to hold the horn brkt is overkill where med bl loctite with work just fine which i know 1st hand because i use it for that app.
Clean bolt holes and threads with brakleen and trq to spec with med / Blue loctite and you should be fine and will be much easier to remove if need be too.
I use bl/med loctite on that same location to not only hold the horn in place but to also hold ward's cooling fans too that shake, rattle & roll at idle and guess what,they stay nice & tight using med / bl loctite when properly applied as i suggested above.
Scott
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Vermont
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Red loctite is too aggressive a bond & overkill for holding a light wt brkt with no load on it & isn't needed there.
And we all know not everything HD does makes sense or is the right thing to do and using aggressive red lictite to hold the horn brkt is overkill where med bl loctite with work just fine which i know 1st hand because i use it for that app.
Clean bolt holes and threads with brakleen and trq to spec with med / Blue loctite and you should be fine and will be much easier to remove if need be too.
I use bl/med loctite on that same location to not only hold the horn in place but to also hold ward's cooling fans too that shake, rattle & roll at idle and guess what,they stay nice & tight using med / bl loctite when properly applied as i suggested above.
Scott
Red loctite is too aggressive a bond & overkill for holding a light wt brkt with no load on it & isn't needed there.
And we all know not everything HD does makes sense or is the right thing to do and using aggressive red lictite to hold the horn brkt is overkill where med bl loctite with work just fine which i know 1st hand because i use it for that app.
Clean bolt holes and threads with brakleen and trq to spec with med / Blue loctite and you should be fine and will be much easier to remove if need be too.
I use bl/med loctite on that same location to not only hold the horn in place but to also hold ward's cooling fans too that shake, rattle & roll at idle and guess what,they stay nice & tight using med / bl loctite when properly applied as i suggested above.
Scott
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 46
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From: Centerville, TX
Blue?... maybe.
The company itself tends to suggest types of Loctite to use based more on the size of the bolt itself rather than strictly on whether you will "ever" remove the bolt at some point or not.
Still, even after noting bolt size vs. Loctite type, there are other factors to consider such as long term vibration, heat, etc.
Just to add to the mix, this comes directly from a Loctite PDF on the use of their products. I bolded the relevant text myself:
"The strength and viscosity of the adhesive needed for an application are directly related to the size of the fastener used. Low strength threadlockers are used on screws up to ź-inch in diameter, such as adjustment and calibration screws, meters, gauges, and other fasteners that will need ongoing adjustment. Medium strength materials are for fasteners up to ž inch in diameter used in machine tools and presses, pumps, compressors, and as mounting bolts. High strength threadlockers are best used on fasteners up to one inch in diameter found in permanent assembly applications such as heavy equipment and a variety of mounts. Low viscosity penetrating threadlocking formulations are also available that easily wick into pre-assembled fasteners up to ˝ inch in diameter."
The company itself tends to suggest types of Loctite to use based more on the size of the bolt itself rather than strictly on whether you will "ever" remove the bolt at some point or not.
Still, even after noting bolt size vs. Loctite type, there are other factors to consider such as long term vibration, heat, etc.
Just to add to the mix, this comes directly from a Loctite PDF on the use of their products. I bolded the relevant text myself:
"The strength and viscosity of the adhesive needed for an application are directly related to the size of the fastener used. Low strength threadlockers are used on screws up to ź-inch in diameter, such as adjustment and calibration screws, meters, gauges, and other fasteners that will need ongoing adjustment. Medium strength materials are for fasteners up to ž inch in diameter used in machine tools and presses, pumps, compressors, and as mounting bolts. High strength threadlockers are best used on fasteners up to one inch in diameter found in permanent assembly applications such as heavy equipment and a variety of mounts. Low viscosity penetrating threadlocking formulations are also available that easily wick into pre-assembled fasteners up to ˝ inch in diameter."