Timbersled Skid question

[BordnBill]

This is just for justification purposes. For all those that have the Timbersled skids, has anyone had any issues with tightening the bolts into the cross shafts at 50 ft/lbs? The instructions say to install the bolts with blue loctite and tighten to 50 ft/lbs. I've talked with a few locals about this and they say that seems to be pretty high for a steel bolt going into a aluminum shaft. I'm putting back together my skid and just want to make sure, with some others experience, that this is ok to do. I assume since Timbersleds instructions said to do it that way, but I just don't want to break anything. Thanks.

 

[tapex_07]

I have always used red loctite. I just get them "tight tight" with a regular 3/8 ratchet. Havent had any problems thus far.

 

[BordnBill]

I have always used red loctite. I just get them "tight tight" with a regular 3/8 ratchet. Havent had any problems thus far.

Thanks Tapex. Isn't red loctite the one you have to heat to remove?

 

[yamahaboy701]

Used red loctite also... I have found it depends on which brand of red loctite you use. If you use the "locitite" brand then I end up having to head stuff up to get it loose, if you use the permatex red loctite I have never had to use heat to get it loose.

 

[BordnBill]

Used red loctite also... I have found it depends on which brand of red loctite you use. If you use the "locitite" brand then I end up having to head stuff up to get it loose, if you use the permatex red loctite I have never had to use heat to get it loose.

Did you just tighten it or did you measure the torque?

 

[tapex_07]

I havent had to use heat to remove. I use a healthy dose of the LOCTITE brand.

 

[rlcofmn]

A few things to think about.

1- when we are building/working on our sleds we need to remember that even though we ride Yamaha's there may be a time that a repair is needed deep in the back country. I used to use red loctite but last year I had to change my jackshaft in the field, I almost didn't get one bolt out with the limited resources I had. This could have made for a long, miserable, embarasing tow out. Now I use red in only the most critical locations with bolts that have good wrench access and blue everywhere else.

2- suspension cross shafts I use a lock washer and no loctite due to the difficulty of getting the bolt out of a spining shaft. I have had to remove my skid in the field to free a stabbed track.

3- A generic torque spec for a grade 8 3/8 16 bolt is 70 ft/lbs. A steel nut has roughly 5 threads. I would have to look it up to see exactly what the spec is for thread length in 6061, but you probably have roughly 16 threads (1") in your cross shaft. Aluminum you make up for strength by increasing surface area. I don't find 50 ft/lbs hard to believe.

Just some stuff to think about.

 

[mtdream]

IMHO, red Loctite...

Dont torque aluminum, it is bad ju ju....

And, even though you are on a Yamaha...carry a very sufficient tool kit...it is all pretty easy, as most of it is 10, 12, 14mm...but easy to pack it in a small bag with socket, and corresponding wrenches...I carry both for different stuff...but my tool kits can strip down a sled, and rebuild it in back country...

too many trips with oh craps on all brands...easy lesson to learn...and I generally carry spare bolts and nuts...

Yes, I break lots of stuff...and yes, I get to do LOTS of my own personal repairs

 

[BordnBill]

IMHO, red Loctite...

Dont torque aluminum, it is bad ju ju....

That's what I'm trying to figure out. Steel bolt going into aluminum cross shaft... 50 ft/lbs. Jason at Timbersled as well as the instructions say to use blue loctite and 50 ft/lbs. It just makes me nervous because of the aluminum. Jason said they do it on all their skids.

 

[natedawgedog]

i would say that the ones that sell and build the skid would know what they are talking about.

 

[Alatalo]

All of this talk about different colour Loctite is confusing.

The general recommendation from Loctite regarding thread lockers is the following:
Loctite 222 = low strength (pink colour)
Loctite 243 = medium strength (blue colur)
Loctite 270 = high strength (green colour)

Then there are hundreds of variations depending on exact application, but the colours are still like the general recommendations.

Or, is this system different on your side of the pond...?

 

[Nikolai]

I use anti-seize and lockwashers, especially when putting steel bolts into aluminum.

 

[BordnBill]

I use anti-seize and lockwashers, especially when putting steel bolts into aluminum.

How about torque?

 

[Nikolai]

If Timbersled recommends 50 ft/lbs Id just do that.

I just get them "tight tight" with a regular 3/8 ratchet.

This is usually what I do.

 

[rlcofmn]

If Timbersled recommends 50 ft/lbs Id just do that.

I just get them "tight tight" with a regular 3/8 ratchet.

This is usually what I do.

I use anti-seize and lockwashers, especially when putting steel bolts into aluminum.

Couldn't agree more.