Hi guys -- Does anybody have a product recommendation for marking positions of nuts/bolts to watch for loosening? I've used Sharpies and they work OK, but I'm wondering if there's a better, more visible product available?
Many thanks!
Tire pens and paint pens work the best. Just a dot or little strip across the exposed end of the bolt where it comes thru the nut will work.
https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=tire+paint+pen&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW-What a Ride!'"
Thanks -- found some at McMaster-Carr. I'll have 'em tomorrow.
torque seal, it is a paste like lacquer, that hardens. if the fastener comes loose, then the torque seal flakes off.
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/crosschecktorqueseal.php?clickkey=4927817
John, I know the latest trend in bolt marling is paint pens, but I am stuck in the past. I have a long background in Aerospace so I use a torque stripe similar to what Graham uses. Here is another version... https://www.vibra-tite.com/specialty-products/vibra-tite-viz-torque-202/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwkoDmBRCcARIsAG3xzl9zJCB94N50grodnb37Y1YydM9C1GST_2wqo-fgdnG884A5Sz0LGm4aAqADEALw_wcB
Charley
All good stuff! I didn't know about the torque stripe / vibra seal products. Thanks Graeme and Charley for that information. I'll use that on nuts and bolts I don't loosen often, like suspension/brake/drivetrain mounts, etc.
I want something less permanent for monitoring my wheel nuts, and the paint pen will work nicely for that.
I just found that a bolt had fallen out of the left wing end plate -- and now I'll be able to see if it's loosening with a quick visual check.
I use a combination of paint and torque strip. Paint for the suspension adjusters, torque stripe for most others. The Torque strip works good for bolts with nuts. Clean well, put a stripe from the threads up onto the nut. The good part about this is when you disassemble, most of the TS falls off. Less clean up than with paint.
The paint I use on the suspension adjusters, because it is much lower profile. When I make adjustments, I have to wipe with brake clean to remove the old marks and before I put new marks on.
John, for the wheels, my thought would be just hit them with a torque wrench occasionally prior to going on track. Probably takes less time the cleaning and applying new paint marks, and you know they’r tight (disclaimer: I have 4 lugs to your 1)
I've got a 3/4" torque wrench that's capable of the 260 lb-ft of torque, but I don't have the assistant capable of holding the brakes while I apply it. 🙁 So I use an 18v Ridgid 1/2" drive impact wrench for install/de-install of wheels. It seems to be working fine, but the paint mark will give me just a bit more assurance.
John, I found that my Radical always got so much attention at the track that I always met lots of new people who wanted to learn about the car. When I wanted to torque my wheels I would ask one of the people around the car if they would like to get in the car and hold the brakes and everyone was always thrilled to do it. I did the same thing when I needed to take the nose or tail off. Also just about every kid that walked up to the car I offered to let them get in so their parents could take a picture of them in the car. There are a lot of pictures out there with happy kids sitting in my car 🙂
Charley
John,
maybe this is a dumb suggestion, but can you use a good sized rubber chock to prevent the wheel from rotating? push down on the torque wrench, thus pushing the wheel into the chock. Since I don't have center lock wheels, this might not work.
sorry for the thread derailment, maybe it should be the topic all its own.
I too, let all the kids sit in it. makes their day
Yes, a wheel chock does the job. Push down instead of lifting up and you drive the tire into the chock and it will generate enough traction to torque to spec.
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW-What a Ride!'"
Keeping track of nuts and bolts can be a real pain in the butt, especially when they start loosening up on you. Sharpies are a solid go-to, but sometimes you need something a little more visible. Have you checked out scrooz.com.au yet? They've got some awesome wall plugs that could do the trick. You can use 'em to mark the positions of your nuts and bolts and they'll definitely stand out. Plus, they're super easy to install and remove when you need to make adjustments. I know it might seem like a small thing, but it's always better to be safe than sorry.
@benbekira, I am not seeing the product you are recommending. Can you elaborate?
I use this bought from ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/382242917400 fluorescent colours
