When to locktite?
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 126
Likes: 1
RE: When to locktite?
From my thinking its more when not to locktite.
I just reinstalled tins, tank, calipers, axles, wheels etc....pretty much used the blue (243) on everything except axle nut, if I can recall.
I did use the red (271 I think) on the turn signal mount piece on my RK custom.
Seems like with the shaking I get on the 88A engine, I better not take any chances
ace57
'06 FLHRS "mattie"
I just reinstalled tins, tank, calipers, axles, wheels etc....pretty much used the blue (243) on everything except axle nut, if I can recall.
I did use the red (271 I think) on the turn signal mount piece on my RK custom.
Seems like with the shaking I get on the 88A engine, I better not take any chances
ace57
'06 FLHRS "mattie"
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,813
Likes: 6
From: Rio Grande Valley-Texas
RE: When to locktite?
If you have an EG, do not locktite the windshield bolts or the bolts joining the inner/outter fairings. You will pull the inserts out upon removal..Ask me how I know!
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 967
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Massachusetts
RE: When to locktite?
ORIGINAL: msbhvn
Is there a generalrule of thumb as to what should or should not receive locktite during assembly?
Is there a generalrule of thumb as to what should or should not receive locktite during assembly?
True story: when I was in the Army I was flying in a helicopter over the Texas desert when I heard a "ping" and looked in time to see a bolt bounce of the chopper's skid and fall to the desert floor. I got on the intercom and asked the instructor about it and he said in the serene tone that only flight instructors have, "Don't worry about it. They wire the important ones down."
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 3
From: Central Illinois
RE: When to locktite?
Regular service items don't require loc-tite. If you choose use Blue. All engine fasteners typically use one dot of BLUE. RED is a thread locker and is used on Rotor bolts, Trans sprockets, Pulley Bolts, Compensator bolt/nut etc. Purple is used for any fastener witha low clamp load or bolts smaller than 1/4". Fuel pump top plate bolts. Green is a sleeve/bolt retainer, and is usually used in keyways. The biggest problem is people think if a dot will do, more is better. One small dot is sufficient. Most of HD's repalcement bolts have loc-patch. It is pressure sensative and bonds when threaded together.
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Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Powhatan, Virginia
RE: When to locktite?
Harley-Davidson sees fit to use locktite on the opposing-corner studs that secure the ECM to the electrical panel on the right side of the battery box. This causes the brass insert that is molded into the plastic electrical panel to spin in the plastic when you try to remove either of these mounting studs. Ask me how I know as well. I bought all new parts to replace and sure enough the brand new studs had thread sealer already on them. You may encounter this problem, as I did, if you are following the mounting instructions for a PCIII USB unit involving "cable tie" fixation. It's fine if you never need back in this location.
John Virginia