threadlocker red or blue

enotslim · Post by **enotslim** » 28 Dec 2019, 14:25

Everything I read says Loctite red is extremely difficult and requires heat to reverse - don't use it unless you never plan to loosen that connection. Use blue for anything you anticipate reversing. But it also seems "everyone" on mvs uses red and I've seen only red, never blue (or green or purple) on bolts removed from our 2004 XC70 and 1998 V70 T5.

Am I able to break "red" fittings due to their age and in some cases heat exposure over time? They aren't hot when I'm working on them.

Will newly applied red be significantly more difficult to reverse than the old applications I've encountered so far?

Why not just use blue?

Post by **Rattnalle** » 28 Dec 2019, 14:27

What threads are you thinking about?

Apart from pre applied on new bolts I've actually never used it on the car. I grease and torque mostly.
*Prepares to be roasted*

Post by **abscate** » 28 Dec 2019, 15:08

Most of the precoated Volvo bolts like caliper bolts, ball joint bolts , etc aren’t Loctite coated.

Post by **oragex** » 28 Dec 2019, 16:13

It will also depend on the bolt size - i.e. torque. On a smaller 10-12mm bolt, red + 10 years of rust may make it a gamble to remove (shear off). On a large 18mm lets say strut bolt (does need it but just as an example), red paste would make the bolt really difficult to undo (already difficult without the paste). Even blue would be hard to undo. The steering bolt (center one under the airbag) I think it had red one but this big bolt is actually little tight (it's pressing against some soft material). I would get both colors and stick with what comes out from the original bolt. As a fun bonus, there are also some funny 'crushed' nuts, such as the 4 ones securing the brake booster to the firewall. Man these sit on very long studs and are a pain to undo aaall the way off the stud. I've used my electric drill + socket, don't think I have the patience to do this with the ratchet.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 28 Dec 2019, 16:25

Loctite Guide Red Blue Purple Green.

Post by **vtl** » 28 Dec 2019, 18:56

Loctite Red is not even remotely close to a steel bolt that sat in the aluminum alloy for a decade.

I did add Loctite Red to some bolts, they were a bit more difficult to undo, but nothing really serious.

enotslim · Post by **enotslim** » 28 Dec 2019, 23:44

Rattnalle wrote: ↑28 Dec 2019, 14:27 What threads are you thinking about?

Apart from pre applied on new bolts I've actually never used it on the car. I grease and torque mostly.
*Prepares to be roasted*

Currently working on brake caliper, strut/steering knuckle and wheel bearing/knuckle bolts all or which were "red" when disassembled.

I wonder if red-treated bolts that are still easy to break reflect surfaces that were not totally grease-free when assembled