Is there any more affordable thread locker that compares to locktite?

[johnny1290]

After throwing my driveshaft since I didn't use locktite on that bolts that go into the yoke(live and learn) I thought about it and the reason I don't use it on all sorts of stuff is just how dang expensive it is!

Is there anything cheaper that works similarly? I've seen some at HF but don't know how good it is, anybody know from experience?

Or maybe there's a cheaper place to get the real stuff than the local autozone? I haven't looked at ebay, maybe that's the trick to stock up before you need it!

Anyway thanks in advance!

[Stuey]

Any worthy alternative will likely have a similarly high cost.

How much do you need? I found that larger quantities via industrial supply isn't much cheaper than what you can pick up at Lowes or HD.

[PAToyota]

I've been using the sticks - picked up one of the blue and one of the red a few years ago. I find them easier to use than the little vials - just wipe the bolt across the stick and you're set.

They're about $15 ~ $20 each depending on where you buy them. As I said, I've had them for a few years and still using them. I also see that they now have anti-seize sticks and some other formulations.

As you found out with your driveshaft, I'd say the price is cheap insurance.

[wrenchr]

Do you have enough threads to install a locking washer?

[wrenchr]

You could wire tie them to!!

[wrenchr]

Drill a small enough hole thru the bolt head and get some metal wire and thread a piece thru each bolt connecting them with wire.

[Moose-LandTran]

Permatex is cheaper, and very good stuff too.

As for the price, a bottle of Loctite may run you $30-40 (i don't know what it costs your side of the pond) but it'll last you, and you'll get your money's worth out of it. When you consider the amount used on each bolt, and how long a bottle lasts. Unless you use it everyday, it'll last you years.

[DHCrocks]

so the sticks are just as good as the liquid? doesn't it dryout.

[Moose-LandTran]

You never got new brake caliper bolts with the dry threadlock on them already?

[JayL]

Please advise which vehicle bolts need Locktite.

[PAToyota]

DHC: I cap my sticks when not in use, but they're still as gummy as the day I bought them after several years.

Jay: Typically the shop manual will tell you which ones get threadlocker.

[eschoendorff]

Originally Posted by PAToyota

DHC: I cap my sticks when not in use, but they're still as gummy as the day I bought them after several years.

Jay: Typically the shop manual will tell you which ones get threadlocker.

What he said.

I have been using the blue Loc-Tite gel and it works great. Less waste. I don't remember it being that expensive. However, I would really caution anyone to 'cheap-out" on something as critical as thread lock. The consequences could be tragic.

[Charles (in GA)]

Originally Posted by JayL

Please advise which vehicle bolts need Locktite.

I'll bet the drive shaft that came loose was a Ford. The Fords with the aft u-joint with the flat flange and four twelve pointed capscrews holding it to the differential flange, must have locktite on the threads. My father had the transmission in his '84 LTD (Fairmont sized car) rebuilt about '90 or so and they didn't use locktite on the threads of those rear driveshaft flange bolts. Soon after we started hearing a clunk when you shifted to reverse from park, or from drive to reverse, and I found the bolts loose. I bought new ones (the original ones were damaged by that point) and the new ones had been pre-locktited.

More recently I replaced the clutch in my '91 Ranger and was smart enough to use locktite on those bolts when I reinstalled the driveshaft, no problems.

The sticks are a very good idea, since the bottles go bad after a while, and I had resorted to buying the tiny tubes of the liquid.

Charles

[Fedwrench]

After all of the recent problems with everything from imported toothpaste, pet food, to tires, would you really want to cheap out on something that is critical enough to want to use a thread locking compound on?
I would watch the sales, look at the sticks or gels to reduce waste, and compare reputable brands.

[ImportTuner]

I have both the Permatex red and blue plus the Loctite red and blue. Never noticed any difference between the brands ...

[wantedabiggergarage]

I tend to buy my antiseize, and loctite compounds, from a damaged freight store, for less.

For LOW torque stuff, my father has used nail polish that my mom didn't like. He would probably use it on the car to, if he did his own work (only oil changes, and putting on the snow tires).

[DHCrocks]

thanks PAT, I'll have to try those when I runout. the liquid one get's a little messy sometimes.

So is the stick the preferred type, I use the liquid but niticed they had a gel and stick too. one more thing, does the stick come in red and blue?

[PAToyota]

Originally Posted by DHCrocks

one more thing, does the stick come in red and blue?

Yep.

Red, Blue, White (thread sealing), and both silver and copper anti-seize:

http://www.loctite.com/int_henkel/lo...df/sticks2.pdf

By the way, I have the larger 19 gram sticks - the 9 gram sticks are cheaper.

[wrenchr]

Nascar crews saftey wire's bolts!!! That is what I was suggesting.

[Moose-LandTran]

and when you consider the cost of those few drops of loctite, that's probably a fraction of a cent.