Debate: Should we use thread lock on landing gear bolts or not?

Last week in Denver, I saw a guy put red Loctite on every landing gear bolt on a Cessna 172, but the manual says those are self-locking nuts only. Three years ago at my old shop in Phoenix, we had a gear bolt back out during inspection because nobody used any thread lock. So which is safer - following the manual exactly or adding extra security when you think it needs it?

2 comments

2 Comments

ivanlewis10d ago

Well, seems like the bigger issue is using red on something you'll later need to remove.

janaw1110d ago

My buddy in Tulsa used red Loctite on his Mooney gear bolts. Two years later, a mechanic had to drill three of them out to replace the nuts.