What are you guys doing to keep your XMetal pole bolt nuts from backing out? I'm running the first gen xmetal pole. I've tried extra washers and lock washers. I have a tad of anti-seize on the threads and torque the hell out of it so it's nice and snug, but eventually...maybe two or three rides later the back out and the pole is sloppy loose. McDog told me they (Xmetal) recommend red Loctite. Maybe I should ditch the anti-seize on the threads. You guys heard anything different or have a solution. I miss the single pole bolt and spring setup.
Custom/Hybrid X-metal pole bolts/nuts staying tight?
- Thread starter Pablo
- Start date
Boris
The Good Old Days
- Location
- The surf-less coast
Red Loctite applied a few years ago is still doing the job.
freestylegeek
waiting...
- Location
- Grand Rapids, MI
+1 on the red loctite. Be liberal with that stuff too! Torque the first nut against the pole as hard as you can, then re-coat the threads on the bolt, and put the locknut on. Then torque that up against the first nut being careful not to turn the bolt while doing that. Leave the pole in the upright position and [most important part here] let it dry for 24 hours!
- Location
- Kennewick, WA
use red loctite. If you need to remove the bolts apply some heat and the come loose. I used a propane torch for soldering copper fitting. Works great and you you can pin point where you want the heat without burning the crap out of everything.
junkyardj
┌∩┐(◣_◢)┌∩┐
- Location
- barrie ont. canada
this is how i do mine and its been good, i know ATP was doing reverse threads for a bit to solve this problem i wish they still had them
SJBrit
Extraordinary Alien
- Location
- Bradenton, FL
Ooh - that woukld be nice! My left side stays good but my right side always works its way loose. A reverse thread on the right side might just do the trick.
- Location
- Reno,NV
I replaced them with OEM Screw& Nut and and aftermarket SPRING world of difference.....the x-metal ones came loose all the time, red, blue, orange, yellow, green loct whatever even 5200 inbetween....pole is so light now
steve-uk
Manners cost nothing
- Location
- Barrie - ontario
they stopped doing it cos it confused too many people....
Chris was telling me they use an industrial grade of loctite ... heavier duty than red
apparently its always the bolt on the right.....
Good advice. I do almost the same thing. Make sure to thoroughly degrease/remove the antiseize/grease from both nuts/bolts before applying loctite.
I only use loctite on the second nut so it is easier to readjust later.
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That may be the missing link right there. Don't you only have one nut per side or do you have two cranked onto each?
steve-uk
Manners cost nothing
- Location
- Barrie - ontario
one bolt per side .. each with two nuts.. theory is the second nut works as a lock nut...but it needs some extra help thanks to what forces we put them through
BruceSki
Formerly Motoman25
- Location
- Long Island
I haven't had a problem with using the red. Rode all season with it and didn't have any issues. Just went over the ski a few weeks ago while installing my 865 and realized the right side could use a little tightening. Pulled the nuts, cleaned the threads and used a liberal amount of red loctite. Pole stays nice and tight.
SJBrit
Extraordinary Alien
- Location
- Bradenton, FL
I personally don't like the spring approach. The main goal of tight bolts is not to make the pole lite so much as to keep it in the same spot for no-handed tricks. A spring will do a nice job to keep the pole lite when riding but will allow the pole to flop all over the place when you aren't holding the bars, and that's not a good situation. The fact that tight bolts also makes the pole feel light is an added bonus that allows you to ditch the spring.
BruceSki
Formerly Motoman25
- Location
- Long Island
Yes....... no handed barrel rolls would not be possible with a spring. I'd never get my hands back on the bars if they didn't stay put.