thrust trim steering nozzle

[shank]

I recently took my steering nozzle off of my trim as i need to access my pump. I screwed it back on with the bushings and bolts. I ran it on the trailer and the bolts came loose.

I then put thread locker on the bolts and ran it on the trailer and it was fine. On my first run in the water the bolts came out and i lose the bushing bolts and the entire steering nozzle.

Now $300 later to replace i dont want it to happen again. Any advice and getting these bolts locked in there ?

I have two pick attached the gold trim is the trim i lost my bolts on a 155mm. The black trim is my 144mm showing the bolts i am talking about i never had a problem and the bolts are seized in there prob from years in salt by now though.

how do i get these bolts to stay in there. my black trim has crush washers on it dunno how that gonna make a difference though. Tapering screws ? is that an option ?

 

[Harbor]

Same thing happened to me, so I’ve been using red high strength loctite on the threads and letting it dry/cure before use...

happens to all of us actually

 

[SXIPro]

Same thing happened to me, so I’ve been using red high strength loctite on the threads and letting it dry/cure before use...

happens to all of us actually

That's unacceptable.

 

[brapperdoodle]

Im sure this is common knowledge but anytime I use thread locker, the threads need to be as clean and dry as possible. I like to use a "thread chaser" similar to a tap but it doesn't remove material, just cleans the junk out of the threads. If it was greasy, I then blow out the threads with standard brake parts cleaner and compressed air. After that I would apply thread locker to the threads, install bolt and allow a full 24 hours for curing.

NOW, in the real world most people don't clean out the threads, and wait only 1 beer for cure time. That can work, but if you want it to be 100% you can spend extra time cleaning the threads and allowing proper cure times

 

[shank]

I used blue thread locker. It had been sitting in the garage for 20 years. Didnt think it would expire but maybe it wasnt strong enough.

I will get the high strength thread locker red next time once my parts arrive.

I clean my threads. I did leave it over 24hours before use but it still came off. It was over a week b4 i used it.

These bolts you cant fully torque or the steering nozzle wont move so i guess its all up to the thread locker to hold it.

 

[shank]

Got high strength permanent thread locker in pic. Previously used the blue medium strength in pic. Hopefully this solves it then

 

[brapperdoodle]

Yeah with low torque stuff, its good to use Red or Permanent thread locker.

 

[mikidymac]

Been using the ThreeBond 1303 for over 30 years now and not a single issue. It’s medium strength/ high temp. I use that poop on everything. The big 50ml bottle is $25 and lasts me about 10 years.

 

[Harbor]

I used blue thread locker. It had been sitting in the garage for 20 years. Didnt think it would expire but maybe it wasnt strong enough.

I will get the high strength thread locker red next time once my parts arrive.

I clean my threads. I did leave it over 24hours before use but it still came off. It was over a week b4 i used it.

These bolts you cant fully torque or the steering nozzle wont move so i guess its all up to the thread locker to hold it.

Had the same issue as you with the blue loctite before I switched to High strength...

I noticed you stated you cannot torque the bolt or the steering nozzle won’t turn, I also noticed something in your photo...

My experience with this is the steel sleeves were being installed from the outside. They actually install from the inside ID and the large built in washer is on the inside..
The bolt touches against the sleeve not the sleeves washer....

In your photo they also appear oriented incorrectly......

Iam not saying it actually is, just noticing things and asking, that’s all...

 

[shank]

Ok i will mock it up and try

 

[shank]

The first 144mm trim i bought black one in pics had them orientated that way. I copied that. Parts will come today i will mock it up see if it better reverse

 

[Harbor]

Sounds good, you’ll be much better off....still have to use the high strength too

Took a pic, best I could, you can’t see the trim bushings, no way to take a photo behind nozzles but you get the idea

 

[shank]

Ok well it took a while to get the parts. But mounting the bushings inside out rather then the the other way i can torque way more almost to full arm strength. And i put high strength permanant thread lock on. Havnt ridden yet but seems a lot better i cant undo the button head bolts via hand with the alen key i put em in with. Button head screws i also changed to as they the same diameter as the bushing on the nozzle . Also they fitted my thrust nozzle i replaced from another brand.

I think a major problem was the bushings the wrong way around. Thats two skis i bought wish bushings the wrong way. Had em both for years. They only failed once i undid them.

 

[brapperdoodle]

If there is one thing I have learned over years of working on used machines, its that people always leave dingleberries.