Suspension Rebuild - Loctite or New Hardware

[scottjk]

I spent most of the winter bouncing around dirt roads in Baja. Lost a rear shock bolt and a end link bolt along with brand new Loogy PowerFlex end link bushings. I'm super concerned now about dirt road driving, vibration and hardware loss.

I'm diving in to a complete front end rebuild. According to Bentley many fasteners should be replaced. I would assume that primarily means the control arm nuts which appear to be locking copper or such material.

My question is should I be using Loctite during reassembly to help prevent loosening up? Which version of Loctite? What fasteners are mandatory replacement? At this point I'm only planning on replacing the control arm nuts.

Thanks

Scott
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1985 Westfalia 2.5L EJ

[Type17]

i like the loctite 242 for stuff like that. clean everything up and don't go too crazy with the loctite.

[syncrodoka]

Yeah, loctite blue. It can still be removed without too much difficulty in the future if needed.
I have almost lost a shock bolt once and use the blue loctite on suspension hardware now with good success.

[rubbachicken]

bolts should be 10.9 or better, you could do like they do in the aero insdustry, and drill and wire them
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[scottjk]

syncrodoka... do you replace any hardware after working on your suspension? I'm going to replace the upper and lower control arm nuts but that might be it.
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1985 Westfalia 2.5L EJ

[Hodakaguy]

[syncrodoka]

[IdahoDoug]

Scott,

Don't be concerned about it, but you should adapt your inspections to match what would be considered an extreme driving environment. Just like increasing other maintenance to match, suspension bolts should be a regular check if you are constantly on dirt roads. Find a few wrenches that fit all your suspension bolts, put a piece of black electrical tape on them in the toolbox for quick ID and toss 'em in the Van before a trip like that. Even race prepped cars shake fasteners loose and get checked with a wrench each stop.

As mentioned, the Bentley calls out the many fasteners VW intentionally chooses to protect you which are a locking style. Loctite is a good substitute for some of them, but best is new fasteners of the same exact and correct type.

DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader