Thread: Transom Bolt Stretch?

I'll replace the nuts. Thanks!

By the way, does Locktite work on stainless steel bolts/nuts? Reason I ask is the stuff works by causing a small amount of corrosion and stainless is supposed to resist that. Just curious since I used some on a transducer mount that has stainless bolts/nuts.

I say yes, just due to experience. The link below is a neat read I found. Didn't know there were so many loctite products! lol. Does say inactive metals like stainless should have a primer applied. I have used it with good luck without it. But I'm assuming it would work much better with the said primer. Check out the link...they make alot of stuff. The link also tells the technical aspects of how and why it works. Although it is a "loctite" brand read...its pretty interesting.

http://www.wdarc.org/Loctite%20Guide.pdf

Loctite does not cause corrosion. It actually prevents it. Nuts and bolts are designed with a certain amount of clearance which is called thread depth engagement. There are fancy formulas to determine engagement but in lay terms almost all of the fasteners you see have about 85% thread depth engagement. When it gets above that, it becomes very difficult to start the bolt and requires a wrench to turn it into the fastener. Loctite fills in the last 15% to give 100% thread depth engagement then dries sticking to the metal and seals the threads. At 100% engagement you have an interference fit. Interference fits don't move until the interference is lost. SS primer makes it easier to stick to SS.

I was sent to all kinds of schools when I worked for one of the top NACD. Glad to know some of it still is in there. The best bolts I have ever used are stamped CAT on the head. They are almost indestructible.

Loctite is some great stuff.

I'll use the blue stuff.

Originally Posted by Sovran

Loctite does not cause corrosion. It actually prevents it. Nuts and bolts are designed with a certain amount of clearance which is called thread depth engagement. There are fancy formulas to determine engagement but in lay terms almost all of the fasteners you see have about 85% thread depth engagement. When it gets above that, it becomes very difficult to start the bolt and requires a wrench to turn it into the fastener. Loctite fills in the last 15% to give 100% thread depth engagement then dries sticking to the metal and seals the threads. At 100% engagement you have an interference fit. Interference fits don't move until the interference is lost. SS primer makes it easier to stick to SS.

I was sent to all kinds of schools when I worked for one of the top NACD. Glad to know some of it still is in there. The best bolts I have ever used are stamped CAT on the head. They are almost indestructible.

What you say is true about the CAT bolts...you will find that to be true with CAT orings. I have a couple drawers full of them from rebuilds, part replacement, and who knows where else. Use them any time I can. CAT stuff is crazy high...but you do get what you pay for from them for the most part...although alot of their stuff has been contracted out much like most every other business anymore. I think quality control is still very high.