LOCTITE vs Anti-Seize

[arbadacarba]

First a bit of history, I've done extensive work on my and my wifes cars, and you can always tell where I've worked because when you start pulling bolts, anything I've worked on has a healthy coat of Anti-Sieze compound on it.

I'm also a big fan of LOCtite, as my recent adventure with a dropped bolt on my left peg will attest.

My problem at the moment is I'm not sure wich to use. I'm rebuilding the front end (axel etc) to swap the Speedo unti to the correct position, (Nub behind the Fork Nub) and I'm not sure what to do... On the one hand the axle pinch bolts, and the Fender bolts are slightly corroded, (Not much it's just a 15 year old bike) so my first instinct is to coat them in Anti-Seize, but I'm afraid of them coming apart by accident.

Any thoughts?

[TLRam1]

Pinch bolts are loosened each time you replace the tire, Anti-Seize, foot peg bolt is seldom removed, Loctite.

As a rule - Areas that cause corrosion or rust. ie head bolts, exhaust bolts get anti seize, others seldom if ever removed would get loctite.

[Gloveberg]

Honestly I wouldn't bother with either.  I've had all those bolts off numerous times (replacing tires, brakes, fork seals, etc.) and all I ever do is torque them back to specs.  Never had a problem with them coming loose or trouble taking them back off (over 8 years and 115K miles)

[hootmon]

(over 8 years and 115K miles)

You have 115K on your 96??
Does it still run like new like mine at 80K
Any issues arise over the last, lets 35K miles?

[John Luttrell]

As a mechanic, my advise is to use anti seize on the shank of any bolt that may corrode and become fused, but in most cases, you should avoid anti seize on the threads.  There are lots of reasons to use loctite on the treads of bolts, as you mentioned, any parts that are not removed often and exposed to lots of vibration are good candidates.  One thing a lot of people do not consider though, is the fact that antiseize or loctite on the threaded portion of a high torque bolt will change the required torque of said bolt;  a bolt that requires say 250 ft lbs of torque dry, will require a lot less torque wet (antiseize or loctite on it) and unless you are working on aircraft, not a lot of information is provided on wet torque specs.  

That being said, most torques required on a bike's hardware is provided in the factory service manual and if the manual does not specifically say to use antiseize or loctite on a bolt, it is considered to be a dry torque; so if you tighten the bolt to dry torque spec's, with antiseize or loctite on it, you have over torqued it.   Now that I've explained that, remember, it's not the space shuttle and most torque requirements on it is in the low range, so as long as you spend quality time cleaning and inspecting your bike, you will not have to worry too much about parts falling off.

[hootmon]

  Now that I've explained that, remember, it's not the space shuttle and most torque requirements on it is in the low range, so as long as you spend quality time cleaning and inspecting your bike, you will not have to worry too much about parts falling off.

Great stuff John!!!
Unless of course you own a Harley.. 

[Magniac]

Ha ha! Good thing McDonder doesn't hang out here. (Anyone who frequents Delphi's Magna Riders Forum will understand.)

[Gloveberg]

Ha ha! Good thing McDonder doesn't hang out here. (Anyone who frequents Delphi's Magna Riders Forum will understand.)

Hopefully he doesn't scour motorcycle forums by Googling "Negative Harley Remarks" 

[Gloveberg]

You have 115K on your 96??
Does it still run like new like mine at 80K
Any issues arise over the last, lets 35K miles?
[/quote]


I had to replace the o-ring/seal that goes between the water pump and the engine case recently to stop an annoying oil leak but other than that I can't think of anything off the top of my head.  I replaced the clutch at 50 or 60K with the Barnett kit and I have gone through 4 front cam chain tensioners over the years but I think that is more due to how I flog the poor thing  . Other than that is just a new K&N oil filter and Mobil 1 15-50 every spring and fall, replace chains, sprockets and tires as needed and go