Loctite thread locker help

[Mudhorn]

I can attest to the effectiveness of Loctite. I have been using it for years and have finally found a need to take off some bolts that are tightly held together with a few drops of Loctite Red.

Any solutions to get the bolts off and break apart the thread locker?
I have tried heat gun, WD40, hammer, pure strength, etc with only a broken wrench and savory words to show for my efforts.

 

[KSJ088]

Wow Really.Been using that in the aviation industry for decades, never had an issue. What size bolt/nut you dealing with? Breaking wrench?? Lets Go is great stuff,
LETS-GO - RectorSeal

 

[CarlosV]

Cannot help sorry, don't know how. Out of curiosity why red loctite and not blue? where in the 4R should you use the red one?

 

[mteolus]

You can try battery powered impact wrench. If that doesn't work an air powered one. If you can get at least a 1/2" long handle breaker bar in a good position you can try that. I realize it may not be possible if the bolt is in a tight space. Doubt anything oil based will work to help out but you can try Kano Aerokroil Penetrating Oil. I couldn't get my bike pedal off after trying just about everything. I took it to the bike shop and the guy there used a very big breaker bar to get it loose.

 

[Bronc]

Localized heat as shown in the article.

How to Remove Red Threadlocker - Henkel Adhesives

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Jetboy]

Heat works - but you need a lot of it. IIRC 500* for a minute will break it down. The metal will be starting to turn visibly red by 500*, so a little bit of heat probably won't really get close to the temp you need. Especially if the bolt is going into a big heat sink like a brake caliper or a spindle.

 

[mteolus]

Yea, I tried a heat gun and it did nothing.

 

[patkelly4370]

Put a soldering iron on the head of the bolt or the nut itself.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Muff Muff]

Localized heat as shown in the article.

How to Remove Red Threadlocker - Henkel Adhesives

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

This ^^

Just for future reference, I've never seen red threadlocker used on any chassis/subframe bolts, only blue. I'm not quite sure what anyone would need red for outside of industrial use, but I've only ever used blue in any application I've used threadlocker for. Blue on things you want to stay, antiseize on things you don't.

 

[Jetboy]

FWIW - Toyota uses a pink/red color thread sealant that is NOT red loctite. It's probably closer to blue or purple. I personally use purple 99% of the time and blue occasionally. I order purple from amazon. I find that it usually works as well or better than the antisieze I have for most things in terms of keeping threads sealed and is less messy.

The worst product I have ever used is copper based antiseize on steel nuts/bolts. Basically it acts as a galvanic cathode and rusts the hardware faster than normal. It probably has some specific places it's really good for, but it's not for steel hardware.

One other thought is if you know a mechanic with an induction bolt heater - they're pretty slick for this particular task. Depending on the situation you can also use a TIG welder to heat up bolts pretty if you're careful.

 

[Mudhorn]

Lets Go is great stuff,
LETS-GO - RectorSeal

Thanks, I’ll look into it.

 

[Mudhorn]

Cannot help sorry, don't know how. Out of curiosity why red loctite and not blue? where in the 4R should you use the red one?

Honestly no good reason. Red is what was used at the first auto shop I worked at and currently get it at work for free. It’s a bolt on an exterior mod. Not an issue or necessity to remove the bolt, was able to loosen just enough to get done what I wanted to.

 

[Mudhorn]

Blue on things you want to stay, antiseize on things you don't.

Thanks. Tracking, just use it more as convenience of getting it for free and was used when I worked at a shop repairing Baja vehicles. I only use it on mods, not on anything chassis related. Thinking on it we used it due to exterior mods (lights, mount brackets, etc) being stolen in a flash in the Southwest.
Guess I can ensure you it will help with anti theft.

 

[Unit 91]

There is almost never a good reason to use red. Unless you really don't want something to come apart - ever. I also wouldn't use red on a bolt smaller than 10mm.

Glad you got it to come loose. The soldering iron trick someone mentioned is a good one if the bolt is smaller, too.

 

[Mudhorn]

Localized heat as shown in the article.

Heat works - but you need a lot of it. IIRC 500*

Yea, I tried a heat gun and it did nothing.

other thought is if you know a mechanic with an induction bolt heater

Agree. Heat seems like the solution. When businesses Alastair opening again I’ll go to a mom&pop shop. My little heat gun is worthless.

 

[Mudhorn]

There is almost never a good reason to use red. Unless you really don't want something to come apart - ever.

Agree. 15mm bolt. You know how it is, “this is the way it will be forever“. Then you look at your vehicle again 1 year later and think “that seems more practical over here.”

 

[Mudhorn]

Put a soldering iron on the head of the bolt or the nut itself.

Interesting, I’ll have to keep this in my hip pocket for next time.

 

[LandCruiser]

Direct heat

And red loctite is essentially glue

 

[BigEd01]

yep, i never use red loctite UNLESS i know for a fact i don't ever want to remove the part personally. you have been given solid advice with the soldering iron tip held on the head of the screw/bolt for awhile to break the red lt down then quickly put an impact wrench or something on it and unscrew the bolt.
Big Ed

 

[jrandom]

For the most part I always use purple 222ms "loctite" branded as a replacement for toyota red. Even blue can be a bugger if used on small fasteners.