Why do my header bolts keep coming lose?
12-30-2008, 08:38 PM
#3
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Hills of California
Posts: 5,208
because they heat up and cool off.
You can try switching to split lock type bolts.
They are just like a normal bot but the end of the shank has a X cut down it. The center of the bolt is threaded and a much smaller allen type hex screw is threaded into this center. Once the main bolt is tight you then tighten the allen screw in the center. As the allen screw is tightened it forces the end of the shank to expand. (remember it had an X cut in the end) Now it will stay put.
-Gun
You can try switching to split lock type bolts.
They are just like a normal bot but the end of the shank has a X cut down it. The center of the bolt is threaded and a much smaller allen type hex screw is threaded into this center. Once the main bolt is tight you then tighten the allen screw in the center. As the allen screw is tightened it forces the end of the shank to expand. (remember it had an X cut in the end) Now it will stay put.
-Gun
12-30-2008, 08:43 PM
#5
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 1984
Posts: 1,188
12-30-2008, 10:27 PM
#7
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 715
Use BLUE (NEVER RED) loc-tite and tighten them from the center out on each side. GO through the same tightening sequence a minimum of 3 times. If this works check them after a month or so of driving. If they are still tight leave them be, that means the loc-tite did it's job. Re-torquing them at that point will break the loc-tite loose and you'll be starting over again. Usually you will have one or two that will back off, if any. In that case just pull out only the loose ones and use another dose of blue loc-tite on those.
It takes some finesse and patience but eventually they do stay put as fakesnakes said above. The blue loc-tite is just additional help and I've had great luck with it.
I've gone months/years on headers when using blue loc-tite and haven't had to retighten them. The other nice thing about the blue loc-tite is you can still remove the bolts with ease if you ever need to remove the bolts. Never been an issue to remove bolts with the blue. Red, now that's another story.
Good Luck and I hope this helps.
It takes some finesse and patience but eventually they do stay put as fakesnakes said above. The blue loc-tite is just additional help and I've had great luck with it.
I've gone months/years on headers when using blue loc-tite and haven't had to retighten them. The other nice thing about the blue loc-tite is you can still remove the bolts with ease if you ever need to remove the bolts. Never been an issue to remove bolts with the blue. Red, now that's another story.
Good Luck and I hope this helps.
12-31-2008, 07:38 AM
#8
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 585
I have heard the run and tighten, repeat, repeat suggestion. But I have also seen header bolts that they say are guaranteed not to loosen. They have a special cap or washer on them. I have never used them but I have seen them on the internet. http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...5&autoview=sku
Last edited by ThanksDad; 12-31-2008 at 07:41 AM.
