Bolts, Washers, Nuts OH MY!!!

[rdowdy95]

Hey guys!

I am enjoying my cab.  When friends come to play they like to shake it up a lot.  I was wondering.  Today I felt like my joystick bases were getting a little loose.  I lifted up the panel and sure enough they were.  I only hand tightened them when I put them on.  So since all the wires were already in place I squeezed some pliers in there to tighten them.  Is there any other way you know of that you guys tighten the nuts to the mounting bolts to make them hold better?

Not much room in there.  Would maybe putting another nut against the nut already on the bolt be a good idea?  Maybe put two nuts up against each other.  LOL!  Meaning maybe they will hold better.  What did you guys do.  The bolts are long so another nut won't be any trouble.  What did you guys use.  I have the bolts going through the top of the panel and they have a washer/nut on the bottom holding them into place. 

[SirPeale]

washer --> lock washer --> nut.  In that order.

[mountain]

I like to use nylon lock nuts. They have a nylon insert that is smaller than the threads, once they are on they will never come loose from vibration. You can find them at just about any hardware store.

[rdowdy95]

I like to use nylon lock nuts. They have a nylon insert that is smaller than the threads, once they are on they will never come loose from vibration. You can find them at just about any hardware store.

Hey the nylon insert part does it face the washer on the bolt or does it face opposite direction of the washer.

[rdowdy95]

Just wondering, but I will prolly pic some some lock washers  once they get loose again I used these pliers and they are pretty tight on there right now.  Prolly go on monday to my Ma and Pa hardware store to get me some lockwashers.

[rdowdy95]

Also what would you recommend to tighten the nut with.  I am using pliers now which seems to work pretty good.   I just don't have much room in there with all the wires running everywhere.

[Pongo]

Hey the nylon insert part does it face the washer on the bolt or does it face opposite direction of the washer.

The nylon part is inside, and in the case of that picture, the washer would be under it.

Also in a pinch you can use 2 nuts and they will bind together and not loosen up as easily. You should also try to get a socket head over the nut, since that will allow you to tighten it much better and more easily than a pliers.

[SGT]

Hey the nylon insert part does it face the washer on the bolt or does it face opposite direction of the washer.

The nylon insert part of the nut faces in the direction opposite from the bolt head. 

[rdowdy95]

There is no room to do the socket head over the nut way.  My mouting bolts are too long.  So what do you guys think about the washer,lockwasher, nut method?

[rdowdy95]

OKay I think I know what I am going to do.  I am going this order.  Washer, Lock Washer, Lock Nut.  That I think it will very secure and good.  I think this will be the best way since I am using pliers to tighten the nut on there.

[SirPeale]

There is no room to do the socket head over the nut way.  My mouting bolts are too long.  So what do you guys think about the washer,lockwasher, nut method?

I wouldn't have mentioned it if it wasn't a good idea.  I've been doing this for a little while.

The washer provides additional surface area so you don't deform your wood.

The lock washer provides tension against the washer and the nut so your nut won't turn.

And the nut holds everything together.

Only tighten the nut until the lock washer compresses.  Any more and you're just mashing wood.

[rdowdy95]

Thanks Peale just getting clarification.  Definately just going to add some lock washers into the mix now.  Thanks man.  I am going to get them on my lunch break and put them in tonight.

[ScottS]

If I were you, I'd invest $0.89 in a tube of blue Loc-Tite (a.k.a. Loc-Tite 242 or 243). You put a dab on each bolt or nut, then screw them together. The Loc-Tite will keep the nut from loosening. Seems to work well enough on my race bike, which regularly sees 14,500rpm and 150mph at the local racetrack...

[rdowdy95]

Okay I got some lock washers at the Ace Hardware, went home for lunch and got one joystick done.  I have two more to do tonight.  My wife also found this little little wrench that worked perfect to tighten as well.

Just wanted to know as always I love you guys for your great insight and help.  Hey if it does come loose again I will get some lock tite.

[Spaz Monkey]

If I were you, I'd invest $0.89 in a tube of blue Loc-Tite (a.k.a. Loc-Tite 242 or 243). You put a dab on each bolt or nut, then screw them together. The Loc-Tite will keep the nut from loosening. Seems to work well enough on my race bike, which regularly sees 14,500rpm and 150mph at the local racetrack...

... or you can do what the operator of my cab did, use a dab of fingernail polish over the screw and the nut.  He/She did it even on the button nuts and the joystick mounting nuts.

[rdowdy95]

hey guys I finally did what peale said.  got them all nice and tight.  I only over tightened on one of the nuts which did mash the bolt further into the wood so I loosened that one a little to unmash it.  Never over tighten.  Bad. 

Anyways one thing that scared me was my 4-way a Tornado Terry Reunion was sticking when I was press down like it was catching on something.  It kept doing it to I was like oh no, but what I did was turn the bottom like clockwise and turn the top of the stick the same way and that fixed it back to normal.  I just don't know what it was getting stuck on.  Oh well I got it back to normal so that is all good.  Cab needs to be moved to my office room, but I got to get to cleaning.  anyway sorry for my rambling

Thanks you guys!