Threadlocker on diff cover bolts

[cs2k]

I removed my diff cover for the first time to pot the locker sensor. I noticed that there is a red compound on the thread of all of the cover bolts. The plan is to clean them up before re-installing.

My question is:
- Is this red compound actually red loctite or is it something else?
- When installing, should I clean out the holes first(with a thread-chaser + compressed air?) Since the holes don't go anywhere, can it get hydro-locked if it doesn't get cleaned out first right? (over time)
- Is it ok to use blue loctite when reinstalling? the red stuff is nasty.
- Am i way overthinking this?

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[Chocolate Thunder]

-yes
-no. Huh?
-yes
-definitely

 

[cs2k]

-no. Huh?

The holes in which the diff cover bolts are inserted into are blind-holes. In theory, if too much loctite pools in the bottom of the hole, there is potential for the bolt to hydrolock before achieving the appropriate torque. Thread chasers are tools that lets you clean up gummed up threads (from the old loctite).

Thanks for your confirmation on #4. I'm just going to clean the hole with a brass wire-brush, blast with compressed air and reinstall with blue loctite.

Thank you!

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

The holes in which the diff cover bolts are inserted into are blind-holes. In theory, if too much loctite pools in the bottom of the hole, there is potential for the bolt to hydrolock before achieving the appropriate torque. Thread chasers are tools that lets you clean up gummed up threads (from the old loctite).

Thanks for your confirmation on #4. I'm just going to clean the whole with a brass wire-brush the hole, blast with compressed air and reinstall with blue loctite.

Thank you!

Lol. Thanks for the explanation. I know about blind holes, torque, and thread chasers. My response was gently ribbing you for overthinking it. The bolt holes are slightly recessed in the bottom. Unless you’re squirting the whole tube/bottle of Loctite in there (just use a drop), it’s not going to affect the ability to properly torque the bolts. For what it’s worth I have aftermarket covers and I used a bit of blue Loctite (I think). They’ve been fine. Stop overthinking it like an engineer. I do that too.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

@cs2k

All the the guys I know have migrated lets call it to Permatex Orange Loctite.

The ORANGE is a hybrid formula that combines the strength of RED with the removability of BLUE. ...

You get 3X the strength using ORANGE and it ensures that pieces will not loosen, back out over time, etc...

In 2021, my vote is for Orange.

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