Part 3 - How to apply the various chemicals used for assembly a bike

Using loctite threadlocker products:

For Assembly

1. For best results, clean all surfaces (external and internal) with a LOCTITE® cleaning solvent and allow to dry.
2. If the material is an inactive metal or the cure speed is too slow, apply all threads with primer and allow to dry.
• For low strength threadlocker such as 222MS, 220, and you have aluminum fasteners, or titanium fasteners this is a must. 
• Loctite 7088 (glue stick format)
• Click on the link on how to use. Since it's gel state its application and threadlocker is different than normal
• Loctite 7471
• Loctite 7649
• Just remember, if you spent thousands of dollars on your bike, doing things right is worth the 12 dollars or so you will spend on the primer.
3. Shake the product thoroughly before use.
4. To prevent the product from clogging in the nozzle, donot allow the tip to touch metal surfaces during application.
5. For Thru Holes, apply several drops of the product onto the bolt at the nut engagement area.
6. For Blind Holes, apply several drops of the product tothe lower third of the internal threads in the blind hole, or the bottom of the blind hole.
7. For Sealing Applications, apply a 360° bead of product to the leading threads of the male fitting, leaving the first thread free. Force the material into the threads tothouroughly fill the voids. For bigger threads and voids,adjust product amount accordingly and apply a 360°bead of product on the female threads also. 
8. Assemble and tighten as required. 

For Disassembly

1. Remove with standard hand tools.
2. In rare instances where hand tools do not work because of excessive engagement length, apply localized heat to nut or bolt to approximately 250 °C. Disassemble while hot. Example tool: Use a soldering iron and hold the tip of the soldering iron onto the head of the bolt to be removed and then loosen the fastener.
3. Apply localized heat to the assembly to approximately 250 °C. Disassemble while hot.

For Cleanup

1. Cured product can be removed with a combination of soaking in a Loctite solvent and mechanical abrasion such as a wire brush. (solvent such as Acetone)

Reference: Loctite - technical data sheet reference


MOST IMPORTANTLY, install your parts on a clean bike with clean parts. If your bike is caked in mud or you are reinstalling old parts, take the time to wash everything with plenty of hot soapy water and towel dry them. The last thing you want is bearings to be contaminated in sand and dirt and threads to be full of grime while trying to torquing something down. An old tooth brush, dawn dish detergent, and elbow grease works wonders.

Next post: Part 4: Antiseize