Topic: Putting forks back together-Thread sealant on bottom bolt?

[denward17]

'76 CB550K

Putting the fork tubes back into the lower legs.

The bottom 8mm allen bolt (6mm allen), do I use loctite or thread sealant?

Is there a torque rating for that allen bolt?

[seanbarney41]

I never use loctite or anything else...somebody else probably gonna want back in there someday(probably me!)  You know there is a copper washer that goes there, right?  If you forgot to order one, I just re-use the old and its fine 9 times out of 10, no fiddling with annealing the copper or anything.  I just tighten with a light zap of the same impact I used to dis=assemble.

[denward17]

Found in the service manual under the Addendum for 550F to use thread sealant on that bolt, so will do that.

No torque value given that I have found, will just go by the 8mm size (10.8-16.6), so about 14 ft lbs.

[newday777]

Found in the service manual under the Addendum for 550F to use thread sealant on that bolt, so will do that.

No torque value given that I have found, will just go by the 8mm size (10.8-16.6), so about 14 ft lbs.

The copper crush washer is all you need.

[grcamna2]

Found in the service manual under the Addendum for 550F to use thread sealant on that bolt, so will do that.

No torque value given that I have found, will just go by the 8mm size (10.8-16.6), so about 14 ft lbs.

The copper crush washer is all you need.

Exactly.

Edit:I've seen some that came apart with blue RTV silicone;it was easy to clean off.
I prefer to use only the copper crush gasket and a new one is No Leaks. 

[Flyin900]

No thread sealant just the washer as already noted.

[BenelliSEI]

I always put a dab of Hondabond on the threads (can’t hurt and might help?).

[newday777]

Thread sealer or locate will make very hard to remove later on.......

[willbird]

Thread sealer or locate will make very hard to remove later on.......

I have sometimes used a very low grade loctite as a way to help protect against galvanic corrosion.


Bill

[Lucien Harpress]

Loctite?  No.  You still want the option of getting it back apart at some point.

Hondabond/Yamabond/Threebond?  Sure.  I've slapped a bit on those bolts when I put them in last time.  It probably isn't necessary, but it doesn't hurt anything either.  And it's less of an adhesive and more of a liquid gasket, so the bolt is still easily removable.

[bryanj]

Niether unless you are real swine to the next person to strip it down, and dont forget that could be you

[Kelly E]

Blue Locktite works fine on this bolt. It still comes out when it's time for service, I've done it many times. It will also help prevent leaks if the copper washer has an issue. You definitely don't want to use red Locktite unless the bike belongs to someone you can't stand.

[seanbarney41]

Loctite is unlikely to work unless you assembled your forks with no oil, i.e. perfectly dry, as loctite will not bond to oil.  Not to mention that the bolt does not thread into the fork lower, it threads into your damper rod which is perpetually submerged in fork oil inside your fork lower.  Thats why the copper washer is there.

[BenelliSEI]

Loctite?  No.  You still want the option of getting it back apart at some point.

Hondabond/Yamabond/Threebond?  Sure.  I've slapped a bit on those bolts when I put them in last time.  It probably isn't necessary, but it doesn't hurt anything either.  And it's less of an adhesive and more of a liquid gasket, so the bolt is still easily removable.

I use the Hondabond as a little extra seal. Like I said, it can’t hurt.

[denward17]

Thanks for the replies and discussion Guys....

I put them back together today and did use just a smidge of thread sealant since the manual called for it, with new bolts and washers.

[M 750K6]

.... Not to mention that the bolt does not thread into the fork lower, it threads into your damper rod which is perpetually submerged in fork oil inside your fork lower.  Thats why the copper washer is there.

Are you saying the bolt threads are nothing to do with whether it seals, it all depends on the copper washer?

[seanbarney41]

.... Not to mention that the bolt does not thread into the fork lower, it threads into your damper rod which is perpetually submerged in fork oil inside your fork lower.  Thats why the copper washer is there.

Are you saying the bolt threads are nothing to do with whether it seals, it all depends on the copper washer?

yes

[Kelly E]

Yep, and when you insert and tighten the bolt Locktite is squeezed into the copper washer area and helps seal it.
To be honest the only way I have ever assembled forks is all of the parts have been cleaned and are dry. Is there another way?

[seanbarney41]

Yep, and when you insert and tighten the bolt Locktite is squeezed into the copper washer area and helps seal it.
To be honest the only way I have ever assembled forks is all of the parts have been cleaned and are dry. Is there another way?

I always coat everything with oil after everything is cleaned ...so it slides together nice.  Probably makes no difference as long as seals are not getting gouged or piston rings galled

[BenelliSEI]

Yep, and when you insert and tighten the bolt Locktite is squeezed into the copper washer area and helps seal it.
To be honest the only way I have ever assembled forks is all of the parts have been cleaned and are dry. Is there another way?

Same here. Seal gets lubricated for installation, but otherwise fork oil goes to where it’s needed when I fill it.

[MauiK3]

Copper washer works, a little Hondabond or blue locktite can help

[Mark1976]

   It's a copper washer,  re-anneal it and reinstall. Done...

[Kelly E]

   It's a copper washer,  re-anneal it and reinstall. Done...

I always anneal the washer if it is a used one, we usually have new copper washers in stock.

[denward17]

Just curious, can one anneal a copper washer with a heat gun on highest setting?

[Mark1976]

   Use your propane torch, if you don't have that, use your gas stove, heat till red, let it cool. Don't quench it...