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| Suspension lock nuts | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: 11-19-2012 12:20 am |
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1st Post |
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Jim Picot Member
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I'm in the process of pulling down my front suspension, and have noticed a number of metal lock nuts are used - the "split beam" type. Are these re-usable? If not, are nyloc nuts an adequate replacement? I notice that a lot of suspension upgrade kits for different cars supply nylocs with the mounting bolts, but are these suitable on a road car where they are not likely to be touched for years, as opposed to a race/performance cars where they are removed and replaced (with new) on a regular basis? And what torque values should I use on nylocs? Are they different to the torques shown in the manual for, I presume, metal lock nuts? Personally, I'd rather use all-new hardware to go with the all-new everything else (springs/dampers/bushes/ball-joints/re-painted components), but metal-thread lock nuts are hard to get in individual quantities - suppliers (at least here in Australia) only want to sell you packs of 10 or more. Any thoughts appreciated!
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| Posted: 11-19-2012 05:39 pm |
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2nd Post |
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Jensen Healey Super Moderator 
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Hi Jim, Nyloc nuts are not strong enough for use in the suspension. The suspension parts are at least grade 5. Just clean and re-use the split washers and original nuts. Put a drop of Locktite on them if you're concerned. Nothing has fallen off my car since I went through the suspension 8 years ago. ;) Kurt
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| Posted: 11-19-2012 08:44 pm |
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3rd Post |
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Jim Picot Member
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Hi Kurt, thanks for your thoughts. I can get Grade 8 nylocs, so I am not concerned about the nut's strength. I can't re-use the originals as I had to destroy some that were corroded to the bolt, and those I didn't ruin look as though they have deformed on removal and won't lock again. There were no split washers fitted, just flat washers and the metal lock nuts. If I could easily get new all-metal locknuts I's happily fit them, but it seems that nylocs are very commonly used on suspensions components. Your tip to use some loctite is a good one though, I will do that. Thanks, Jim
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| Posted: 11-20-2012 12:01 am |
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4th Post |
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Jensen Healey Super Moderator
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If you can get grade 8 nylocks they will certainly do the job! I once pulled apart the engine of a MGTC and found the hardware store nylocks on the rods were loose. They were safety wired on... backwards, so they couldn't get any tighter. Yikes!
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| Posted: 11-20-2012 12:06 am |
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5th Post |
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Jim Picot Member
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Kurt, which Loctite did you use? Did you apply it to the threads prior to assembly, or the top of the nut afterwards? Jim
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| Posted: 11-20-2012 12:26 am |
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6th Post |
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Jensen Healey Super Moderator
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I usually apply one or two drops of Locktite Blue to the bolt and then install the nut.
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| Posted: 11-20-2012 12:29 am |
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7th Post |
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Jim Picot Member
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Thanks, I reckon Grade 8 nylocs with some loctite should do the trick!
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| Posted: 11-20-2012 01:43 am |
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8th Post |
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Jim Ketcham Member
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Metal expansion locknuts are available from mcmaster-Carr. That said, nylock grade 8 are stronger than original. Surprisingly, the original are only grade 5.
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| Posted: 11-20-2012 02:56 am |
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9th Post |
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Jim Picot Member
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Thanks Jim, but I'm in Australia - freight would be prohibitive! I can get the flexloc style nuts here, but only in box lots - way too many. I think the Grade 8 nylocs + loctite will be the solution.
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| Posted: 12-10-2012 12:49 am |
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10th Post |
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Jim Picot Member
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Post-script: I was able to get the correct metalock-type nuts (called clevelock) from Martin Robey in the UK at very reasonable prices, so will use these.
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