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Copper Grease On Bolts Or Clean Thread?


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#1 se_juggles

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Posted 04 September 2014 - 11:57 AM

Alright mini peeps.

 

I am just wondering what bolts i should/shouldn't be using copper grease on if any?

 

There is alot of different views on copper grease the main one being: "if copper grease is applied to the thread it changes the torque settings as there is reduced friction". I just wanted to know what other people's views are on this subject and if there are certain bolts i should not use it on i.e wheelnuts. 

 

What do i do about torque settings? (just tighten till i cant tighten anymore (not with a torque wrench of course lol))

 

Does it matter if using them on brake parts as i have read it can cause problems because of the heat?

 

Its mostly just suspension parts i am working on at the moment, putting the rear and front subframe assembly together.

 

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

SE



#2 dklawson

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Posted 04 September 2014 - 04:50 PM

You will indeed get differing opinions on where and when to use anti-seize compound.  I will offer my suggestions but that is all they are... suggestions.

 

I use it any place that is prone to seizure from corrosion.  Specifically: rear subframe bolts, thermostat housing studs, exhaust fasteners including manifold studs, and though some will cringe when I say it... wheel studs and the contact surfaces between the inner surface of the road wheel and drum/flange on the car.  I also apply a tiny bit to spark plug threads.  Other places where I use the stuff I don't think about... I just apply it if I find corrosion starting to stick the bits together.  Some places I prefer not to use anti-seize and instead I use Loctite to both protect the threads and secure them.  EDIT:  (i.e. Places subject to vibration that might loosen a fastener are places I would use Loctite instead of anti-seize). 

 

Any lubricant applied to a thread will change its behavior when tightening so you may want to adjust the torque a bit but I typically do not.  Anti-seize is not as good a lubricant for threads as something like assembly lube for which you do adjust the torque values.


Edited by dklawson, 04 September 2014 - 04:52 PM.


#3 cal844

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Posted 04 September 2014 - 06:27 PM

I agree with doug!!



#4 gazza82

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Posted 04 September 2014 - 09:00 PM

+1 :-)

#5 Fast Ivan

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Posted 04 September 2014 - 09:36 PM

I have been taught to assemble dry unless otherwise stated or in a non critical area I guess it wouldn't matter so much

#6 Fast Ivan

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Posted 04 September 2014 - 09:38 PM

I agree with doug!!


Really? I thought you "put it everywhere" if I'm not mistaken

#7 se_juggles

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Posted 05 September 2014 - 04:05 PM

 

You will indeed get differing opinions on where and when to use anti-seize compound.  I will offer my suggestions but that is all they are... suggestions.

 

I use it any place that is prone to seizure from corrosion.  Specifically: rear subframe bolts, thermostat housing studs, exhaust fasteners including manifold studs, and though some will cringe when I say it... wheel studs and the contact surfaces between the inner surface of the road wheel and drum/flange on the car.  I also apply a tiny bit to spark plug threads.  Other places where I use the stuff I don't think about... I just apply it if I find corrosion starting to stick the bits together.  Some places I prefer not to use anti-seize and instead I use Loctite to both protect the threads and secure them.  EDIT:  (i.e. Places subject to vibration that might loosen a fastener are places I would use Loctite instead of anti-seize). 

 

Any lubricant applied to a thread will change its behavior when tightening so you may want to adjust the torque a bit but I typically do not.  Anti-seize is not as good a lubricant for threads as something like assembly lube for which you do adjust the torque values.

 

Thank you that is alot of help. just gotta get a full nuts and bolts kit now.

 

I agree with doug!!


Really? I thought you "put it everywhere" if I'm not mistaken

 

OH MYYYYY!!!!!!!



#8 Stevie W

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Posted 05 September 2014 - 04:17 PM

+1 on what Doug said!

#9 cal844

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Posted 05 September 2014 - 04:20 PM

You will indeed get differing opinions on where and when to use anti-seize compound.  I will offer my suggestions but that is all they are... suggestions.
 
I use it any place that is prone to seizure from corrosion.  Specifically: rear subframe bolts, thermostat housing studs, exhaust fasteners including manifold studs, and though some will cringe when I say it... wheel studs and the contact surfaces between the inner surface of the road wheel and drum/flange on the car.  I also apply a tiny bit to spark plug threads.  Other places where I use the stuff I don't think about... I just apply it if I find corrosion starting to stick the bits together.  Some places I prefer not to use anti-seize and instead I use Loctite to both protect the threads and secure them.  EDIT:  (i.e. Places subject to vibration that might loosen a fastener are places I would use Loctite instead of anti-seize). 
 
Any lubricant applied to a thread will change its behavior when tightening so you may want to adjust the torque a bit but I typically do not.  Anti-seize is not as good a lubricant for threads as something like assembly lube for which you do adjust the torque values.


Thank you that is alot of help. just gotta get a full nuts and bolts kit now.

I agree with doug!!


Really? I thought you "put it everywhere" if I'm not mistaken
OH MYYYYY!!!!!!!

I put it on any new bolts, wheel hubs and subframe bolts

#10 Stevie W

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Posted 05 September 2014 - 04:30 PM

I did use copper grease on the front lower shock absorber pins that run through the top susppension arm, as I remember them being a right nightmare to remove during restoration!
Admitedly, I won't need to remove them again for a while, but where theres an application that doesn't directly affect any torque settings, I think using this stuff is accaeptable.

My 2009 Hyundai i30 came back from a service recently and the wheel nut studs had been given a coating of copper grease!!!!

Cheers, Steve.

#11 cal844

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Posted 05 September 2014 - 05:25 PM

I did use copper grease on the front lower shock absorber pins that run through the top susppension arm, as I remember them being a right nightmare to remove during restoration!
Admitedly, I won't need to remove them again for a while, but where theres an application that doesn't directly affect any torque settings, I think using this stuff is accaeptable.

My 2009 Hyundai i30 came back from a service recently and the wheel nut studs had been given a coating of copper grease!!!!

Cheers, Steve.

Yeah thats fine

 

Your Hyundai having copper grease on wheel studs is a daily occurance, the torque ratings are higher to compensate :)



#12 Gremlin

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Posted 05 September 2014 - 06:14 PM

Torque settings should be lower to compensate as the copper grease lowers the friction on the threads

#13 Fast Ivan

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Posted 05 September 2014 - 07:44 PM

 

I did use copper grease on the front lower shock absorber pins that run through the top susppension arm, as I remember them being a right nightmare to remove during restoration!
Admitedly, I won't need to remove them again for a while, but where theres an application that doesn't directly affect any torque settings, I think using this stuff is accaeptable.

My 2009 Hyundai i30 came back from a service recently and the wheel nut studs had been given a coating of copper grease!!!!

Cheers, Steve.

Yeah thats fine

 

Your Hyundai having copper grease on wheel studs is a daily occurance, the torque ratings are higher to compensate :)

 

 

you really are a


Edited by Rob Mac, 05 September 2014 - 08:56 PM.


#14 HarrysMini

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Posted 05 September 2014 - 08:18 PM

This thread is funny.

 

Please don't apply a higher torque setting if you're using copper grease, you should lower it if anything.



#15 cal844

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Posted 05 September 2014 - 08:23 PM

Me? A clown. Hahaha

Well admin can now suspend my account!!! Sick of the way people are on this forum.....




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