I should probably hand in my man-card for asking...

[jimmy156]

But here we go anyway.

Trying to re-fit my mudguards today that I had stupidly put off until its perpetually freezing outside, so guaranteed numb hands!

On trying to screw the bolt into the bottom of the fork I simply couldn't turn the bolt! past a certain point. I was using a crappy Allen key off a broken multi tool as it was the only one that fitted the bolt, so there was no handle to apply any force too... which is any easy fix for attempt two...

But I did think that the now two year old thread lock on the bolts may have been inhibiting my ability to perform such a simple task. Does this need to be cleaned off and reapplied?

Ta,
James

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

It certainly wouldn't hurt to clean the thread lock off, especially if you are applying more.

[jimmy156]

Fair enough, I kind of assumed!

I also assume that despite the fork being Carbon, the hole for the bolt is not and is presumably steel and therefore something like the park tool thread lock will be fine?

[Bill]

Are you sure it's not cross threaded?

[jimmy156]

Pretty sure. Two bolts went in as you’d expect about 50% of the way and then I couldn’t turn any more.

As I said, I only had the Allen key out of a multi tool that had fallen apart, so couldn’t really get any purchase to turn it. Which didn’t help.

[mikecassie]

Did you clean out the threads before starting to install the bolts when fitting the mudguards?
It's possible that road muck etc has accumulated in the holes since the mudguards were last fitted so you screwing the bolts/screws only started to pack the gunk as the bolt went in.

Having a 'crappy Allen Key' probably helped, this way no broken bolts.

I leave the bolts in to prevent the holes being filled with crap as with such small threads it could be a easy enough to damage a thread. If in doubt I'll get a small tap out to clean the threads before starting to fit anything.

It will help cleaning the bolts before starting to install next time.

[gazza285]

mikecassie said:

I leave the bolts in to prevent the holes being filled with crap...

As do I, with a dab of grease on them as well.

[jimmy156]

I made a small attempt to clean out the holes, but any sizeable quantity that has got in anyway compacted in there would not have been removed. I will see if I can have a look in there and give them a proper clean if necessary.

Leaving the bolts in is a good shout… extra weight though!

Thanks all

[gazza285]

jimmy156 said:

I made a small attempt to clean out the holes, but any sizeable quantity that has got in anyway compacted in there would not have been removed. I will see if I can have a look in there and give them a proper clean if necessary.


Thanks all

A 5mm tap would be handy here.

[yellowjack]

jimmy156 said:

I made a small attempt to clean out the holes, but any sizeable quantity that has got in anyway compacted in there would not have been removed. I will see if I can have a look in there and give them a proper clean if necessary.

Leaving the bolts in is a good shout… extra weight though!

Thanks all

Soak a cotton bud with a squirt of WD40/GT85/degreaser and "twizzle" it around in the thread. Or even tape up one side of the thread hole (or use Blu-Tac) and flood it with your cleaning fluid of choice to loosen any muck stuck in the thread. WD40 will evaporate off quickly after you dry the bulk of it off, so shouldn't affect any threadlock you want to use. You'll see any grit/grime come off on the cotton bud too, so you'll see that it's working.

[gazza285]

One question though, why bother with thread lock? I cannot recall ever having a mudguard fixing come loose.

[jimmy156]

Thanks all, might try the cotton bud cleaning trick before buying a tap set!

The was thread lock on the bolts from the manufacturer (canyon)

[Gin and Ultrasonic]

gazza285 said:

One question though, why bother with thread lock? I cannot recall ever having a mudguard fixing come loose.

I have! One of my mudguard bolts came loose and fell out a couple of weeks ago, and I had to remove a bottle cage to get a spare bolt to fix the mudguard back on, and finish my ride with my bottle cage and bidon in my pockets. To be fair, I have a disc braked bike with a 'virtual' screw on brake bridge at the back, which I think causes a bit more rattling around than a bike with a fixed bridge. Fortunately it was a nice sunny day for a change. I've still not put threadlock on though - I should probably give it a try.

[dontlookdown]

Leave the bolts in, with a dab of grease or copper ease on them. t's easy to damage those 5mm threads. Ask me how I know;)

Also, treat yourself to some new Allen keys, and maybe some 3/8 or 1/4 inch Allen sockets too. Xmas is coming!