Lock nuts won't stay tight

[Magikal]

The lock nuts on my 4 link bars keep coming loose. What am i missing here? I adjust the arms, run lock nuts up to the ends, and tighten down as hard as i can by hand with crescent wrench. Good for a few weeks then i look down and they are backed off and loose again....wtf?

 

[centexk5]

Get new ones. I’ve always been told they are only good for one or two uses even though I reuse them more than that.

 

[rampage]

Have you tried blue thread locker?

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Are you talking about the jam nuts on the suspension joints? Or the nuts on a bolt?

 

[obijuank5]

Depends which type youre talking about.
If its the link joint jam nuts, a small weld should do. Couple buddies do this with success.
Its a setting rather than an adjustment.

 

[Magikal]

Are you talking about the jam nuts on the suspension joints? Or the nuts on a bolt?

The jam nuts on the suspension joints.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I've always put a good heavy tack weld on those, 100%

 

[Gentleman Jimmy]

If you don’t want to weld, nord-lock washers work great.

 

[runamok151]

UGGA-DUGGA

 

[70jimmy]

Yep mine are heavily welded, no problems since 2006.

 

[Magikal]

Sounds like a tack weld it is. Thanx.

 

[shady]

I read in an article in one of the 4x4 mags that of those are coming loose, it means your end links are binding at some point and turning in the link.
Then when the tension releives and it turns back the nut loosens.

I'd cycle the suspension side to side and see if it's doing just that.

 

[Magikal]

It's a double triangulated 4 link. There is very minimal side to side travel. Link mounts are angled to be inline with the arms. Plus the nuts are up on the arm. I don't see how they would come loose I bb the scenario you are describing. I was thinking a second locknut would stop then from loosening regardless...

 

[runamok151]

Use JB weld as a thread locker?

 

[19Tim69]

The lock nuts on my 4 link bars keep coming loose. What am i missing here? I adjust the arms, run lock nuts up to the ends, and tighten down as hard as i can by hand with crescent wrench. Good for a few weeks then i look down and they are backed off and loose again....wtf?

Buy new ones...lock washers are designed for one time use only on critical uses I always use new but I reuse for other less important purposes

 

[Magikal]

Buy new ones...lock washers are designed for one time use only on critical uses I always use new but I reuse for other less important purposes

It's not a lock washer. Just a jam/lock nut.
I went searching for a pic and the damn nut is loose in the pic even.....grrr..

 

[19Tim69]

I see, I thought you put lock washers between the jam nut & the link bars...
Just tack them in place with a mig welder. I’ve done that & seen it done before

 

[rampage]

It's not a lock washer. Just a jam/lock nut.
I went searching for a pic and the damn nut is loose in the pic even.....grrr..

View attachment 364022

You should let him know that his nuts are loose.

 

[Magikal]

I see, I thought you put lock washers between the jam nut & the link bars...
Just tack them in place with a mig welder. I’ve done that & seen it done before

Tack it to the bar or the link end?

 

[rampage]

Bar - you don’t want to mess up the threads.