Why should you use Loctite Threadlockers in a transmission?

8 October 2024

 

Making a small investment in Loctite products today, will prevent costly repairs tomorrow. There is nothing new about these Loctite application tips; they have been used on cars and passed down the generations.

We are proud to provide you with this automotive application guide which outlines the right Loctite product solutions for transmissions. With these tips, you can maintain and/or improve the performance, safety and reliability of your car.

A transmission makes sure that the right amount of power goes to the vehicle’s wheels to drive at a given speed. Hence, proper maintenance is extremely important to maintain fuel-economy and ensure the vehicle can operate properly at different speeds.

What are the common challenges related to threaded fasteners in a transmission? 

1. Loosening of flexplate bolts can cause knocking sounds and can also lead to transmission leaks
   
   
2. Bell house bolt loosening can cause transmission fluid loss
   
   
3. Loosening of transmission pan bolts can cause transmission oil leaks which can be dangerous to the vehicle and the environment 

Some apparent causes behind these challenges are vibrations, thermal fluctuations, corrosion and chemical attack among others.

The roots cause is the air gap. The gap between the engaging threads has only 15% metal to metal contact while the remaining 85% is air. This air gap allows:

• Vibrations to cause side-to-side motion leading to self-loosening
  
  
• Differential expansion and contraction of the bolts due to service temperature changes which leads again to self-loosening
  
  
• Moisture to creep into the threads over time to create a corrosive environment which starts to attack the metal fasteners

Conventional locking methods do not close/fill this gap and hence prove ineffective in locking and sealing threaded assemblies.

But Loctite brings you the solution to these challenges using Loctite Threadlockers.

 

Use Loctite 243 when you need a medium strength threadlocker. It fills all the gap between the engaging threads and solidifies to unitize them, thereby preventing fastener losing.

If you need a high strength threadlocker use Loctite 263/271 for maximum efficacy in the securing and sealing of bolts and nuts.

 

 

Using Loctite threadlockers prevents transmission leaks by maintaining clamp load. This then helps maintaining alignment with the engine crankshaft which ensures proper functioning of the transmission.

Remember that threaded assemblies using Loctite can be dissembled with standard hand tools but will require localized heat if access is restricted or bolt thread engagement is more than a standard nuts worth.

 

 

 

Learn more about Loctite threadlockers at www.henkel-adhesives.com.au

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