Dales944

15 months ago, I changed a CV joint (outer pass side). I am absolutely POSITIVE I torqued the bolts to the spec in the Haynes manual. Today, I was poking around under the car (boring lunch hour) and saw that two bolts seem to have loosened all the way out - the only thing holding them there is the CV boot ridge.

So, my question is... Is this common? Was I supposed to use some form of thread-lock? What gives?

TIA,

Dale.

Peckster

It is common. I think some people use new bolts or nuts?

Hasn't happened to me though.

Dave951M

Yes it can happen especially if some of the grease got into the threads while you were putting the bolts back in. That's why I recommend going back in and checking them after a couple thousand miles. I check mine before every autox.

wa944

I've heard that the bolts are the torque to yeild type, requiring replacement upon removal. Is anyone able to back me up on this, or am I just blowing smoke?

M758

This is common. Always use new ones, use loctite & clean the threads.

And still inspect.

Red1

I didn't know it was common. (Now I'll be paranoid until I get home and check them.)

Good post.

Dales944

Thanks everyone for your insights. New bolts came with my kit, but I do know some moly made its way into the holes while I was packing.

Anyway, when I got it up to tighten them - two were completely out (as I stated above), two were loose enough to turn with my fingers, and two were still tight.

Scary. I'll never go more than a month without torquing them again!

Thanks again.

nixwiz

Dale, I'm curious, did you notice any noise or vibration due to the loose bolts?

Dales944

Nixwiz - it's hard to notice anything on top of the regular noise and vibration! But really, no - I had no clue until I peeked underneath for a different purpose (trying to see how much of my exhaust I could remove).

Bob S. 1984 Silver

You can also drill a hole (small) through the head of each one, and use safety wire to prevent them from coming loose.