A Warning About Lock Nuts

[Wamsutta]

The lock nuts that came with the Monroe shock mounts that I got today grabbed the threaded studs too hard. Before the nut was fully tightened against the mount plate, it started spinning the threaded stud that was pressed into the mount. The only way to get the mount back off was to cut the threaded stud with a Dremel. I managed to gently back the other nut off before it spun its stud too.

These aren't nylon insert lock nuts. They are the prevailing torque type. The Monroe nuts were supposed to mimic the factory nuts, but they grabbed way too hard; they were practically seized on there. The factory lock nuts don't bite in anywhere near as hard. They grab just enough to where they don't free spin.

My lesson learned was never again use lock nuts where a pressed in stud is involved unless I know exactly where the nuts originated from and the name of their manufacturer. Basically, if they start to get tight real fast, don't keep turning them; stop and then gently back them off.

 

[matt_i]

I feel your pain. The OEM fasteners are soo much better in fit, metallurgy and coating than anything that comes in an aftermarket parts kit. Unless I know its permanent deformation (yielded) fastener I'll reuse the one I just took off unless its absolutely crusty.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

You basically need air tools to install those; to overcome the force of the locking tabs. I usually pitch that style, and replace with a standard nut and a touch of blue lock-tite. Same final result, WAY easier to service.

 

[Mr_B]

can get in world of pain using some of the junk fittings on these aftermarket parts, we tend use oem or original ones taken off if condition permits .
being picky with aftermarket brands helps too but that something you only learn if dealing with it daily ...

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Was it really the nuts or was it the studs pressed into the mounts?

 

[gatlibs]

It doesn't look like there was room for a nut buster, but do you think that you could have made a slot in the stud with the Dremel to hold the stud from spinning with a slotted screw driver?

 

[sberry]

We put a drop of oil on almost every bolt or nut we install,,, usually penetrating spray but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, seems some people have more problems with this type of thing than most do.

 

[Parrothead]

Funny you mention this, and I’m glad I made the decision to reuse the original factory axle nuts versus the supplied nuts provided with the new hub assembly’s I put on. Same type of lock nuts. The original and cotter pins seemed to work well originally, why change?

 

[aka Larry]

I feel your pain. The OEM fasteners are soo much better in fit, metallurgy and coating than anything that comes in an aftermarket parts kit. Unless I know its permanent deformation (yielded) fastener I'll reuse the one I just took off unless its absolutely crusty.

People who use ARP (aftermarket) would probably disagree.

Seriously though, I take your point and agree that the fasteners provided with most aftermarket parts are junk.

 

[RKA]

I haven't run into these yet, so thanks for the heads up.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

We always had a lot of problems with the machine shop jobbers shaft fit with this type of locking nuts.https://www.designworldonline.com/j-w-winco-offers-line-of-metric-bearing-lock-nuts-and-washers/ That was just pulled off Google Image. We ended up requiring the shafts to be supplied with the nuts. Then the supplied imported nuts weren't standard.

 

[Wamsutta]

Was it really the nuts or was it the studs pressed into the mounts?

The nuts were seized on there. I think if the studs were welded, the nuts would have peeled the threads off.

 

[matt_i]

People who use ARP (aftermarket) would probably disagree.

Ya you got me there I do like ARP fasteners. I own a truck touched by some special mechanics. Every one of the 6 flexplate to torque converter bolts was different...different heads, different threads, different lengths.....needless to say I went back with ARPs

 

[sberry]

Went to take it off to drill the holes, and it galled and seized, and stripped the bolt.

As I mention above,,, we spray them all. There was a site some engineers started about this but it was so slow it went away, dealt with nut and bolt install.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Nuts and bolts are being imported that are not to specs.

 

[noid]

That looks like a rather poor design.

I much prefer the oval style locking nuts (used on older BMW's).

 

[Lifeequalswork]

Going to save this for when i run in to this issue