Just changed the F & R diff fluids - looked like red Loctite from the factory when I had the bolts out. After reading so many posts here about broken bolts, and thinking about trying to remove a broken one with thread lock on it, I decided to put the bolts back without any. They were hard to back out with the red, and I'm surprised they break off going back in instead of coming out.

Is not using Loctite something I will regret - do those bolts really work loose? What are others doing for this step - use Loctite or no?

 

Mine came with loctite on them too and I decided not to put it back on because of the chance that they may break. I just tightened them back up like that and they have been fine for the last 7.5k.

 

I've serviced once at 15,000 and I'm now at 30,000 so it's time to do it again. I was looking around under my truck today and all is still well after 15,000 with no lock tite.

 

I did my diffs on the weekend and noticed the red (permanent) loctite on the threads, I used the blue stuff when I put it back together.

 

I'm suprised you got those bolts out w/out having to heat them up first! I've got loctite all over my jeep. Blue if I wanna remove the bolts for maint. etc... and, red if I don't ever want to take the bolts out again w/out heat.

 

Mine had the red on them as well. I did not put on any more, put them back in, all is/was just fine, no leaks and they stayed tight after the 15K change. I just did the 30K change, put them in again without adding any locktite.

CD

 

I went the other way completely and used never seize on the threads on the tranny pan and diff cover. Have not had any parts fall off in over 20,000 miles. However I don't go four wheelin, sled pullin or dyno running. Just towing boats to the lake.

 

I had the red stuff on mine too but I'm not sure it's actually lock tite. The factory uses some weird stuff sometimes. I'm sure it's some type of thread locker but the bolts come out too easy for it to be regular red lock tite.

 

i've worked on vehicles for a quarter of a century and have never loctited a rear diff cover bolt ...

and have never had one come off

 

I agree with ya 2broke. Now that you guys mention anti-seize maybe thats what the red stuff from the factory is. There is no way it's red loctite,that stuff holds for good!

Ha ha...side note, when you spell check it thinks loctite is lactate,funny stuff..lmao!

 

When i did mine I just torq them to spec, no locktight, no leak also.

 

Mine had blue stuff on them, I just cleaned any dirt off them and reinstalled with out any leaks in the past 12K.

 

From the factory, mine had a brown hard stuff on them. Looked like some other form-a-gasket or thread locker. It was a pain to clean off the bolts.

On my last truck I got through the first fluid change fine w/30 ft/lbs, so I figured I lucked out and didn't have any weak bolts... Then on the 2nd change one snapped off. It didn't even get to very snug when the head just fell off. Fortunately it was easy to remove.

I do use a bit of blue locktite on them. I doubt they would fall out, but I've found locktite seems to prevent corrosion and things seizing to each other, as well as preventing things from loosening up.

 

i believe the correct torque is 18 ft/lbs ...

 

Factory manual says 24 ft/lbs fill plug, 30 ft/lbs cover bolts...