Deformed Thread Locknut

otiswesty · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 10:45 pm Post subject: Deformed Thread Locknut

When I bought some stainless exhaust components a year ago, it came with metric fasteners including split lock washers and nylon insert locknuts. I noticed that the nylon melted out of the locknuts rather quickly.

I am intersted in finding some deformed thread locknuts that are both metric and stainless steel. I usually buy this sort of hardware at boltdepot.com, but haven't had much luck there. I have looked elsewwhere to no avail and was wondering if anyone on the forum is using an all metal locknut.

I could go with non-stainless or non-metric, but would prefer not to.
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1978 Sage Green P22 Westfalia
1989 T3 Syncro Single cab

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CF · Samba Member Joined: February 17, 2005 Posts: 802

lawson sells the stainless steel lock nut,crip style.

but why not use the copper nut ?? better of if you need to repair it at a later date.

otiswesty · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:15 pm Post subject:

Well maybe I am too focused on stainless. I just hate trying to get off the old crusted nuts and figured stainless would be the way to go.
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1978 Sage Green P22 Westfalia
1989 T3 Syncro Single cab

Just a regular guy

90Doka_Guy · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:17 pm Post subject:

go to www.mcmastercarr.com, and do a search for distored nuts. They have pretty much every piece of hardware you can think of. If they dont have anything you are looking for, id be surprised.
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Yellow Rabbit · Samba Member Joined: August 31, 2005 Posts: 1146

http://www.van-cafe.com/vanagon_parts.jsp?pa=p&p=1717054678&pct=168049776&ct=2054481296

I used the copper ones from Van-Cafe. They work great, plus the cookies are good too.

foodeater · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:58 am Post subject:

I use the copper ones also. They do not get crusty.
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89 Bluestar-2.5 Subaru Powered-RIP
'84 Westy Tiico-daily driver-sold
'82 Caddy diesel-sold
'87 Vanagon Syncro-RIP
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'82 Vanagon auto-RIP

otiswesty · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 10:46 pm Post subject:

Thanks.

I'll order up a set of the Van Cafe copper ones.

Wink

_________________
1978 Sage Green P22 Westfalia
1989 T3 Syncro Single cab

Just a regular guy

Darren2dream · Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2013 7:05 pm Post subject:

Hello,after a search I'm now resurrecting this thread from the dead...

My 1.9 J-Pipe Exhaust cracked last weekend right at the 02 Sensor so I ordered a new one along with all the hardware and went with the copper lock nuts from VC..

For preparation for tomorrows project I started grouping things and putting the copper nuts on the bolts but, none of them screw on past a certain point by hand. Looking closer, I noticed that each of the 7 nuts I purchased are slightly oval in shape Shocked

What gives?

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

So.... Is that what makes them "lock" being that I have to use brute strength to get them fully tightened or, did I just receive 7 pieces of useless copper & will be making a trip to the hardware store tomorrow? On each nut, the side that is the narrow oval clearly has some small markings on the side of the nut as if they were intentionally squeezed by machine. I'd call VC but, they are long gone for the Friday evening...

Wish me luck that 7 bolts on there now will come off easy enough.. Been soaking them with Liquid Wrench for the last 3 days..
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84' Wolfsburg Westy GL 1.9 Manual

vanagonjr · Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2013 7:09 pm Post subject:

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_818_957/8mm_copper_lock_nut.html

Answer above
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Darren2dream · Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2013 8:10 pm Post subject:

Am I just not seeing something?

Feeling foolish here but, I don't see where on the Van Cafe page you linked to (and I read prior to posting this evening, and read when originally ordering) that it says that the nut itself will be oval in shape..

"These are copper exhaust locknuts that will not vibrate loose. Use these on all attachments that are through bolts on the exhaust system. It is best not to use these on the studs directly attached to the cyllinder heads as they have more likelihood of pulling the studs out with them if you ever need to loosen them. They are great for all through bolts for the rest of the exhaust system. These are used with flat washers, whereas the regular nuts are used with wavy washers."

I've never purchased a copper nut, so I expected it to be shaped just like a regular nut. (I guess that makes me nuts??)
Nothing in the description above or on other sites I checked out mention that they are going to be oval and not screw on simply.
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84' Wolfsburg Westy GL 1.9 Manual

Darren2dream · Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2013 8:18 pm Post subject:

Ok.. I found something on VWVortex that briefly mentions that the last few threads are crimped slightly so, I'm guessing I got what I was suppose to get..

Rookie Question #2:
As these are "shouldered nuts", does that mean that the flat washers recommended actually go on the bolt side rather than the nut side?

Seems that if the copper nut is going to form slightly to the exhaust manifold, that the washer would basically prevent that.

Why do I see my future tomorrow of 7 simple bolts taking waaaaaay more time than it should... Rolling Eyes

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84' Wolfsburg Westy GL 1.9 Manual

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50351

I doubt that they are actually copper crimp nuts, but more likely copper plated steel crimp nuts. As stated in the ad they will probably pull the studs from the heads if you use them there. Not sure what you can get locally where you live, but you should be able to get regular SS metric nuts and maybe regular copper metric nuts. Either SS or copper nuts on regular steel studs should work well enough. I like to use multiple nuts on each stud so that there is no exposed thread to corrode.

Wellington · Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 2:56 am Post subject:

Never used copper nuts, which I would expect are just plated.
I used solid brass nuts on exhaust components with excellent results.

zeohsix · Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 3:40 am Post subject:

They are called Stover Nuts and Van Cafe looks to have excellent product.

insyncro · Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 5:00 am Post subject:

http://belmetric.com/

redlinedave · Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 10:12 am Post subject:

your local VW dealer should have in stock
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1985 Country Homes VW van 1.9L

Darren2dream · Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 1:19 pm Post subject:

For what it's worth, the copper nuts went on just fine and dandy...

New J-pipe & O2 sensor installed.. I had expected the engine/exhaust to be at lease a bit more quiet having gotten rid of the broken j-pipe but, it's still rather loud Confused

and while my brain loves to play van tricks on me, I do believe it's still louder than before the j-pipe cracked... never ending fun and games.
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84' Wolfsburg Westy GL 1.9 Manual


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