threadlocker on balljoint bolts

Just wondering if people use threadlocker red or blue on the four bolts that hold the balljoint to the steering knuckle. The shop manual doesn't say it's required and the new bolts I just bought at the dealer don't have any pre-applied threadlocker, so am I good without it? Seems like cheap insurance.

 

I have the advantage of rust keeping them from getting undone. If you’re going to use any at all, use blue so you can get them out without applying heat.

 

I use red
A drop about the diameter/size of a pencil eraser
An impact doesnt have a problem breaking them loose if you gotta pull them apart.
When i was lifting my truck i played with multiple shock, and spring combos until i got my height right. Over the course of a month i probably took my lower ball joints loose 8-10 times. Red loctite on them every time and they went back as snug as a bug in a rug and came right out when i put the impact back to them.
Yes, once i got my height where i wanted it, i installed new lower ball joints and new bolts and yes, they got red loctite.

 

I put a drop of blue loctite on each of my bolts when I changed mine. But my model year uses the toyota "black bolts" which have a 39 ft lb torque spec instead of 59ft lbs. I probably wouldn't have used any if I had the other bolts that are 59ftlbs.

 

I’ve never in my life seen something 60+ ft/lbs back itself off but I guess if it helps you sleep at night.

I know LBJs are the boogeyman here but there are a ton of other bolts that would really ruin your day if they backed off too. That’s a lot of loctite.

 

I don’t think it would be a bad idea to use a dab of Blue or Purple on them even if not required.

Blue and Red Theeadlocker have virtually the same strength - red just requires heat to loosen up the threadlocker for removal. I use blue or purple on 99% of bolts that I would apply threadlocker to.

 

I used the blue stuff, but i also have the black bolts.

 

Blue thread locker on them. I've had so many random torqued bolts back out over the years on motorcycles without thread lock, I tend to use blue or purple on just about everything on the outside of the vehicle now.

 

Never occurred to me, they are high torque bolts, with also literally 1000+ of weight pulling on them. I can't imagine them ever coming loose.

 

I use blue on mine. The bigger ball joint bolts come with Toyota red/pink threadlocker already installed, which is close to Loctite blue.

If I reuse a bolt, I always use a wire brush or similar to clean off the old Loctite.

 

Well that can be confusing to those that don’t know.

 

Has anyone actually reported the bolts backing out? Not trying to answer the question with a question; I am genuinely curious. All I could find was people talking about bolt sheer.

 

I'm with you on that one. I read an article that measured the effects of residual threadlocker on torque values. That's why I use wire bottle brushes, regular brushes, and sometimes thread chasers on old bolts and internal threads. Apparently, the old threadlocker, if not removed, can have a significant effect on torque value readings during reuse.

I used blue loctite on my LBJs too.

 

Pretty sure I've seen people mention finding loose and missing LBJ bolts on here.

 

I used a bit of blue. But I also marked with a dab of paint.

 

Well this is obviously not popular but I didn’t use any. I did mark with a paint pen though and I do check every time I rack it

 

Living your life dangerously, I hope you at least cross thread a couple of them for safety.

 

I didnt use thread locker on mine either. In the last 280k miles. Still alive.

 

I don't use threadlocker on mine. I have driven FGT's over a half million miles and never had one back out. I do eyeball them whenever I crawl underneath. I drive some really bad dirt roads but my trucks are not lifted. If they were I would probably be a lot more paranoid about the front end coming apart.

 

I think we need a poll here.

 

Excellent, the bolts will be easier to find in the ditch you roll over into.

 

I mark with paint also, but that's funny right there!

 

Rust is nature's Loctite.

 

Taken from the FSM. No thread locker mentioned

 

The new bolts have a greenish coating on the threads which may be a threadlocker.