Driveshaft bolts - XC90 cure or red loctite?!

Willber · Post by **Willber** » 17 Jun 2022, 04:24

My driveshaft bolts keep coming loose with resultant clunks and sloppy feeling. They are genuine stretch bolts installed correctly but still come loose.

I am wondering if the XC90 bolts actually stop them coming loose, or just mask the symptoms and clunking / ping due to the rubber conical washer? Im also wondering if red loctite is the better solution (the stuff which requires heat to remove) or slightly less strong loctite 277 which requires 32nm to remove.

Thanks

Will

Post by **kallekula** » 17 Jun 2022, 08:08

Did you reuse the stretch bolts?

Post by **kallekula** » 17 Jun 2022, 08:09

Red loctite - strong
Blue - medium

Willber · Post by **Willber** » 17 Jun 2022, 14:21

I bought new ones, installed them properly and they still came loose!

Will try red loctite...

Post by **erikv11** » 17 Jun 2022, 14:27

Hmmm I would hesitate to use red. Try blue first.

I recently had similar problem, vtl recommended the XC90 route. He's pretty knowledgable.

viewtopic.php?p=598609

Willber · Post by **Willber** » 18 Jun 2022, 00:56

Thanks, ive tried blue also (after they came loose) and that didn't work either.... I appreciate re-using them isnt ideal, but in my mind they should have stayed tight. Either way, they came loose after proper installation and the dry red loctite they come with on from Volvo.

I'll see if I can find some XC90 ones

Post by **abscate** » 18 Jun 2022, 03:13

The red stuff on Volvo bolts is unknown but it isn’t loctite Red. It’s some sort of thermally activated glue triggered by fastener friction

Willber · Post by **Willber** » 18 Jun 2022, 04:46

Ah ok. I think the removable red stuff should be fine, but XC90 ones possibly better. Just cant find any around. There is an MTC branded version but they're pricey!

Post by **cn90** » 18 Jun 2022, 10:17

This is what I did in my 2004 V70 2.5T and has worked fine...

- Clean the threads inside the axle using Q-tips and push the grease back inside the CV Joint.
Not sure why they created a hollow channel here, should have been a blind channel for the bolt.

- Grease etc. makes Loctite useless.

- I re-used the factory bolt, zero issue.

- Using a Vise-Grip, I gently squeeze threads #5-6-7-8 to create a dent in the threads.
No need for big dents, just queeze a bit so they are somewhat flattened a bit.

- Apply Red Loctite.

- The axle bolt, search forum for proper torque. According to @abscate, it is:

Drive Shaft in Front Wheel Hub (M10)
Step 1 35 Nm
Step 2 Angle Tighten 90°

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Post by **cn90** » 18 Jun 2022, 10:22

I found this pic on the web, you can see length of axle threads info here.
So, in theory you can use Vise-Grip and squeeze further up, such as threads #9-10-11-12 etc.

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