U-Joints, neverseize or locktite..........
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
U-Joints, neverseize or locktite..........
.....I just redid the right halfshaft U-Joints on my car, and I neverseized the eight 5/16" strap bolts. Was this bad? If you tell me that they are vibration prone and could back themselves out, then I will redo them with Locktite when I do the left side. Boy they will be a bitch to get out the next time if I locktite them! :eek:
Pro
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 686
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake, IL USA
Re: U-Joints, neverseize or locktite.......... (scorp508)
New GM U joint bolts come with something blue applied to the threads - I assumed this was threadlock since it looks like the stuff on new caliper bolts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 5,159
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
Re: U-Joints, neverseize or locktite.......... (scorp508)
I used the blue Loctite also. I think it's #232 or something like that. I don't know if it was needed or not but I figured it couldn't hurt.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 904
Likes: 0
From: Langley, BC, Canada
Re: U-Joints, neverseize or locktite.......... (KF9WM's 87 coupe)
kinda off topic, but i just did my half shafts also, and the bolts where 8mm metric not standard. Maybe because my car is canadian, but i though all gm's after 82-3 or so where metric
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,500
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From: Holliston MA
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: U-Joints, neverseize or locktite.......... (scorp508)
If the bolts go into steel - use blue loctite. It's just a safety thing. If you loctite everything you've got less of a chance of things loosening up. Use brake cleaner on both threads, blow dry with compressed air and apply loctite.
Or don't and they probably won't loosen up. 95 % of professional mechanics wouldn't ( most likely 99% ). The blue loctite is designed to be loosened with a wrench, the red is the real tough stuff - specifies heat.
[Modified by SloRvette, 2:44 AM 9/4/2001]
Or don't and they probably won't loosen up. 95 % of professional mechanics wouldn't ( most likely 99% ). The blue loctite is designed to be loosened with a wrench, the red is the real tough stuff - specifies heat.
[Modified by SloRvette, 2:44 AM 9/4/2001]
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 0
From: Holliston MA
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: U-Joints, neverseize or locktite.......... (nsimmons)
kinda off topic, but i just did my half shafts also, and the bolts where 8mm metric not standard. Maybe because my car is canadian, but i though all gm's after 82-3 or so where metric
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Houston, Texas FEAR THE BONES
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Re: (scorp508)
..... at least nobody has called me an idiot yet for what I did. 
:crazy: :p: :spam
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: (94vette)
I put anti-seize on the straps themselves to keep the rust down, and did use some on the bolts.What happens sometimes is the bolts can back off a little bit which is why I checked them three times in a span of 5,000 miles.They ony backed off once a very little bit the first time I checked them.
The blue loctite is very good, I used that another time for the same job and it seems to also prevent seizing in there as well, and doesnt back off.
I prefer to wire-wheel brush the small bolt threads to clean all the old crap off before putting any antisieze or loctite.This made all the bolts go in so easy and never galled or cross threaded.
I think either way youll be fine...just with anti seize, just re check the torque after some mileage.
Btw,Did you clean the yoke splines and coat them too?
Its a good idea to do this when pulling the joints out on the halfshafts.It stops that popping or clicking noise from there.
I loosen the axle nut and pull the yoke off with the shafts to clean it up.
The blue loctite is very good, I used that another time for the same job and it seems to also prevent seizing in there as well, and doesnt back off.
I prefer to wire-wheel brush the small bolt threads to clean all the old crap off before putting any antisieze or loctite.This made all the bolts go in so easy and never galled or cross threaded.
I think either way youll be fine...just with anti seize, just re check the torque after some mileage.
Btw,Did you clean the yoke splines and coat them too?
Its a good idea to do this when pulling the joints out on the halfshafts.It stops that popping or clicking noise from there.
I loosen the axle nut and pull the yoke off with the shafts to clean it up.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 26,679
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From: This vette goes to 11 Milford MA
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
Re: U-Joints, neverseize or locktite.......... (scorp508)
.....I just redid the right halfshaft U-Joints on my car, and I neverseized the eight 5/16" strap bolts. Was this bad? If you tell me that they are vibration prone and could back themselves out, then I will redo them with Locktite when I do the left side. Boy they will be a bitch to get out the next time if I locktite them! :eek:
I used the antiseize on my rear caliper bolts last month and the bolts fell out Monday. DOH!!!!!!!