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05-02-2018, 12:29 AM | #1 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Austin
Posts: 6,010
| Nord-Lock washers - Anyone try them on axle nuts?
Nord-Lock washers (aka "Wedge Lock Washers") - Anyone try them on axle nuts? Firstly - let me get this out of the way - they are NOT cheap... Roughly $25 for 10 at the first place I checked (yowza!). *Edit - those are the highest-grade stainless (254 SMO Stainless Steel) - there are 3 types of steel, also have slightly lower-grade SS and then carbon steel, which is the bargain of the trio - $19 for 20, links at the bottom of the post... The reason I have for considering such insanely-priced bits of hardware? I have ended up with a disturbing number of wheel & tire sets for my crawler(s). I'm really wanting to swap them back and forth a LOT - and we all know how long nylock nuts last when treated like that.... not very. So, I was asking a friend of mine that installed a turbo kit and quite a few other mods on a Miata - and he said "Have ya heard of Nord-Locks?" So, I looked them up - and wow - these are TRULY the mother of all lock washers! Quote: "These washers have cams or wedges on one side, with a lead angle greater than a thread angle, and radial teeth or ribs on the other side. The washers are installed cam face to cam face. When tightening the fastener to preload, the teeth penetrate and seat against the joint material and the nut and/or fastener head. When subjected to vibration the interacting cams create a wedge action which prevents the fastener from vibrating loose." I'm thinking (after perusing their catalog) that the best size & type to pick for standard Axial (etc.) axles is listed below (Dimensions should be identical for all 3 types of steel available, only the part number changes): Nord-Lock 254 SMO washers (M4 - small outer diameter) Part# NL4ss-254 Type: Stainless Steel Washer Inside Diameter: 4,4mm or 0,17” Outside Diameter: 7,6mm or 3/10” Thickness: 2,2mm or 0,09” Metric: M4 UNC: #8 So, before I order a set of 10 for $25 - or, more likely, the cheaper carbon-steel ones at 20 for $19 (free shipping with Prime) - any experiences or thoughts on these? Ah, before I forget - link for purchase: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...re-bullets-btf Or for the slightly cheaper (softer) plain stainless steel (not the "Ultimate" 254 SMO Stainless Steel), McMaster-Carr has them (as "Wedge Lock Washers") for $8.96 for 5 - so, $18 for 10 - gotta check shipping costs, though: https://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-washers/=1cnupnm And, cheapest - carbon steel, zinc-coated - just under $19 for twice as many (20 "paired" washers): https://www.amazon.com/locking-washe...=wedge+locking Last edited by durok; 05-02-2018 at 04:58 AM. Reason: Found them at McMaster-Carr! |
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05-02-2018, 05:10 AM | #2 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Deep South
Posts: 3,444
| Nord-Lock washers - Anyone try them on axle nuts?
I used them on my exhaust manifold and turbo for my VW. So far so good there. But I scored them from my work, so freebie. As for axle washers, they may do the trick. They are significantly thicker, though. So a few wheels may not have enough thread for a full nut depending on hub type. You can get 100 of these for $10. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F122599345751 |
05-02-2018, 05:14 AM | #3 | |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Austin
Posts: 6,010
| Re: Nord-Lock washers - Anyone try them on axle nuts? Quote:
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05-02-2018, 05:21 AM | #4 |
Quarry Creeper Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 394
| Re: Nord-Lock washers - Anyone try them on axle nuts?
Interestingly enough, I just learned about these myself. I happen to enjoy a guy on the YouTube who goes by the name AVE. He recently messed around with some to see what lock washers hold up better and basically shows you the “torque” required to break them free once tightened. I think the end result with those particular washers was that the threaded material (your axle) basically needs to stretch enough for the angled teeth to disengage. On bigger stuff that you may just check that it’s tight is one thing, but I have the feeling using them on a 4 or 5mm threaded shaft may fatigue them quicker. Think at that price you’re better off ordering a larger box of stainless nylock nuts and tossing them when they’ve outlived their usefulness. Just my 2 cents. |
05-02-2018, 05:25 AM | #5 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Deep South
Posts: 3,444
| Re: Nord-Lock washers - Anyone try them on axle nuts?
The majority of stress would be against the axle pin and not necessarily the axle itself.
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05-02-2018, 05:45 AM | #6 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Douglassville, PA
Posts: 4,224
| Re: Nord-Lock washers - Anyone try them on axle nuts?
I put a dab of blue threadlock on the axles...holds the wheels on whether the nylon is in good shape or not. Serrated nylon locknuts also work great. I have a heck of a time breaking them loose sometimes. Kind of the same principle. I use Traxxas mostly. |
05-02-2018, 05:48 AM | #7 |
Quarry Creeper Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 394
| Re: Nord-Lock washers - Anyone try them on axle nuts?
Didn’t even think of that. So yeah, just have some back up pins available!
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05-02-2018, 06:44 AM | #8 |
Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PA
Posts: 13,935
| Re: Nord-Lock washers - Anyone try them on axle nuts?
I'd agree that serrated Nyloc nuts are all you need. Blue thread locker is a good added measure. The problem, for me, with these washers or any washers is that I usually forget I have them underneath the wheel nut so when I pull of the wheel said washers go running. In the house it's not a big deal. Out on the trail they are usually gone forever. Therefore I've stopped using washers under the wheel nuts unless I absolutely must. |
05-02-2018, 07:50 AM | #9 | |
RCC Addict Join Date: May 2007 Location: pasadena, tx
Posts: 1,108
| Re: Nord-Lock washers - Anyone try them on axle nuts? Quote:
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05-02-2018, 08:01 AM | #10 |
Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PA
Posts: 13,935
| Re: Nord-Lock washers - Anyone try them on axle nuts? |
05-02-2018, 08:41 AM | #11 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: May 2008 Location: Baltimore
Posts: 4,442
| Re: Nord-Lock washers - Anyone try them on axle nuts?
Maybe a good old split washer would be good enough? Dirt cheap as well. I've got to the point of where I just got a big bag of M4 serrated flanged nylon lock nuts and treat them as a consumable item.
Last edited by BigSki; 05-02-2018 at 09:09 AM. |
05-02-2018, 09:37 AM | #12 | |
Moderator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PA
Posts: 13,935
| Re: Nord-Lock washers - Anyone try them on axle nuts? Quote:
Although there are some people, and even standards, that disagree with this. I believe the MIL-SPEC says they can be reused 5 times. If you can turn the nut with your fingers the Nylon insert is definitely shot. Last edited by JatoTheRipper; 05-02-2018 at 09:40 AM. | |
05-02-2018, 09:59 AM | #13 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: california under the rock im crawling on
Posts: 4,285
| Re: Nord-Lock washers - Anyone try them on axle nuts?
+ for the traxxass lock nuts i buy them by the bag also but i also use another standered lock nut if theres enuff thread and double nut them and red locktight they still come loose but usaly because or a sheered hex pin or failed bearing something like that
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05-02-2018, 09:59 AM | #14 |
owner, Holmes Hobbies LLC Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Volt up! Gear down!
Posts: 20,290
| Re: Nord-Lock washers - Anyone try them on axle nuts?
My nylocs back off after the first time I swap out wheels. Nordlock washers are amazing. I use them on my ebike axles where a loose nut will result in catastrophic motor/ esc/ or rider damage.
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05-02-2018, 12:38 PM | #15 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Corruptifornia
Posts: 12,107
| Re: Nord-Lock washers - Anyone try them on axle nuts? Maybe, but I just buy good quality flanged (non-serrated) nylocks in bulk. When the nylon gets worn, a drop of blue loctite takes care of that. Serrated is not good, I don't want them chewing up my wheels or hubs (depending on what type/brand of wheels). |
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