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 Posted: 11-18-2012 11:20 pm
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Jim Picot
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I'm in the process of pulling down my front suspension, and have noticed a number of metal lock nuts are used - the "split beam" type.

Are these re-usable? If not, are nyloc nuts an adequate replacement? I notice that a lot of suspension upgrade kits for different cars supply nylocs with the mounting bolts, but are these suitable on a road car where they are not likely to be touched for years, as opposed to a race/performance cars where they are removed and replaced (with new) on a regular basis?

And what torque values should I use on nylocs? Are they different to the torques shown in the manual for, I presume, metal lock nuts?

Personally, I'd rather use all-new hardware to go with the all-new everything else (springs/dampers/bushes/ball-joints/re-painted components), but metal-thread lock nuts are hard to get in individual quantities - suppliers (at least here in Australia) only want to sell you packs of 10 or more.

Any thoughts appreciated!

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 Posted: 11-19-2012 04:39 pm
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Jensen Healey
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Hi Jim,

Nyloc nuts are not strong enough for use in the suspension. The suspension parts are at least grade 5.

Just clean and re-use the split washers and original nuts. Put a drop of Locktite on them if you're concerned.

Nothing has fallen off my car since I went through the suspension 8 years ago. ;)

Kurt

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 Posted: 11-19-2012 07:44 pm
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Jim Picot
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Hi Kurt, thanks for your thoughts.

I can get Grade 8 nylocs, so I am not concerned about the nut's strength. I can't re-use the originals as I had to destroy some that were corroded to the bolt, and those I didn't ruin look as though they have deformed on removal and won't lock again. There were no split washers fitted, just flat washers and the metal lock nuts. If I could easily get new all-metal locknuts I's happily fit them, but it seems that nylocs are very commonly used on suspensions components.

Your tip to use some loctite is a good one though, I will do that.

Thanks, Jim

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 Posted: 11-19-2012 11:01 pm
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Jensen Healey
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If you can get grade 8 nylocks they will certainly do the job!

I once pulled apart the engine of a MGTC and found the hardware store nylocks on the rods were loose. They were safety wired on... backwards, so they couldn't get any tighter. Yikes!

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 Posted: 11-19-2012 11:06 pm
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Jim Picot
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Kurt, which Loctite did you use? Did you apply it to the threads prior to assembly, or the top of the nut afterwards?

Jim

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 Posted: 11-19-2012 11:26 pm
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Jensen Healey
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I usually apply one or two drops of Locktite Blue to the bolt and then install the nut.

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 Posted: 11-19-2012 11:29 pm
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Jim Picot
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Thanks, I reckon Grade 8 nylocs with some loctite should do the trick!

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 Posted: 11-20-2012 12:43 am
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Jim Ketcham
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Metal expansion locknuts are available from mcmaster-Carr.
That said, nylock grade 8 are stronger than original. Surprisingly, the original are only grade 5.

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 Posted: 11-20-2012 01:56 am
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Jim Picot
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Thanks Jim, but I'm in Australia - freight would be prohibitive!

I can get the flexloc style nuts here, but only in box lots - way too many.

I think the Grade 8 nylocs + loctite will be the solution.

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 Posted: 12-09-2012 11:49 pm
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Jim Picot
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Post-script:

I was able to get the correct metalock-type nuts (called clevelock) from Martin Robey in the UK at very reasonable prices, so will use these.

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