Another reason why lock tabs are evil

Post by **Hijacker** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 9:52 am

I have expressed my absolute hatred of lock tabs, and today I reaffirm my faith in that belief. Ever sicne I rebuilt my turbo, it started making a weird exhaust rattle under boost. I was exploring the exhaust system trying to find the leak when I noticed the turbo was loose against the exhaust manifold.

Turns out the lock tabs were loose just enough to allow the nuts to back off, so it was only held on by two nuts. And not only did the nuts fall out, but it blew the flange gasket out, so now I have to order a new one. I'm thinking some tack welds may be in order this time around.

Post by **[Zero-S]** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 9:52 am

Ouch...hurts much.

Post by **got2b240** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 9:52 am

mine just blew out this weekend and I welded the whole darn thing togther!! haha. got to luv my cuz for his leet welding skillz!! What a big job that was taking out all that stuff and putting back in! lol

Post by **msaskin** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 9:52 am

If you take the lock tabs when they're over the nuts, fit an open ended wrench over it (i think a 15mm works) then hammer the hell out of it the lock tabs will form to the shape of the nut...wham! no more working loose

~matt

Post by **DriftS14** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 9:52 am

I used thread locker and got rid of the tabs.

Post by **Hijacker** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 9:52 am

msaskin wrote:If you take the lock tabs when they're over the nuts, fit an open ended wrench over it (i think a 15mm works) then hammer the hell out of it the lock tabs will form to the shape of the nut...wham! no more working loose

~matt

last time i tried crimping them down with vise grips. this sounds like a better, and ultimately more satisfying way of doing it

also, this time around, I have lock nuts, which have a thread in them that makes it hard to back out.

Welding is not an option here because I would enjoy the ability to make my turbo and mani seperate entities easy when the time comes to upgrade.

And taking the thing out is an sinch after you do it once. This time around I popped it right out.

Post by **dj_lennon_franz** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 9:52 am

that usually means you have a blown turbo gasget...u might wanna check on that

this happened to my SR and a friends SR...both times...blown turbo gasget...when i replaced my gasget i used locking nuts from a honda exhaust mani...but deffinatly check yer gasget (itll prolly come out in peices if thats the problem)

Post by **msaskin** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 9:52 am

dj_lennon_franz wrote:that usually means you have a blown turbo gasget...u might wanna check on that

this happened to my SR and a friends SR...both times...blown turbo gasget...when i replaced my gasget i used locking nuts from a honda exhaust mani...but deffinatly check yer gasget (itll prolly come out in peices if thats the problem)

I think you're getting symptom and cause confused. A backed out bolt will lead to a blown gasket, not so the other way around.

tenkawa...it's very satisfying. When working on cars I tend to lean towards solutions that involve my hammer

~matt

Post by **Hijacker** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 9:52 am

dj_lennon_franz wrote:that usually means you have a blown turbo gasget...u might wanna check on that

this happened to my SR and a friends SR...both times...blown turbo gasget...when i replaced my gasget i used locking nuts from a honda exhaust mani...but deffinatly check yer gasget (itll prolly come out in peices if thats the problem)

Me wrote: And not only did the nuts fall out, but it blew the flange gasket out, so now I have to order a new one.

i've been sitting on my arse waiting for the damned gasket to get in. should be here tomorrow (i ordered it on friday)

Post by **Hijacker** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 9:52 am

the new gasket is in, and all I have left to do is put the catch can back on, dipstick, coolant inlet line, intake filter, and hotpipe and i'll be done. lunch is now over, back to work!

Post by **Hijacker** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 9:52 am

everything's back together. runs perfectly. again. those nuts had better not back off this time!

Post by **vboyq** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 9:52 am

they come off even if you tighten REALLY tight?i think i mighta left those little tabs off, ima have to check the car when i get home

Post by **Hijacker** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 9:52 am

those suckers were as tight as i could get them. i also slathered the studs in anti-seize, which could have aided in them breaking themselves loose.

Post by **eliterit** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 9:44 am

DriftS14 wrote:I used thread locker and got rid of the tabs.

how has the thread locker treated you? i just bought some liquid locktite, high temp and i'm about to use it since i recently replaced my gasket and the nuts came loose again..

Post by **EludeR** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 5:03 am

tenkawa_akito wrote:I have expressed my absolute hatred of lock tabs, and today I reaffirm my faith in that belief. Ever sicne I rebuilt my turbo, it started making a weird exhaust rattle under boost. I was exploring the exhaust system trying to find the leak when I noticed the turbo was loose against the exhaust manifold.

Turns out the lock tabs were loose just enough to allow the nuts to back off, so it was only held on by two nuts. And not only did the nuts fall out, but it blew the flange gasket out, so now I have to order a new one. I'm thinking some tack welds may be in order this time around.

When i recieved my motorset, the bolts where loose as well(and the lock tabs where locked in place ! ). I replaced the gasket and will be rechecking the bolts again tomorrow morning. How often do you guys go through this problem ?

Post by **boost_creep** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 5:07 am

had this same problem a couple weeks ago.i just tachwelded the damn nuts on.i made a post about it to.(turbo came loose)

Post by **180fan** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 10:04 pm

http://www.stage8.com

They've got a locknut kit for turbos (stainless hardware). I got my set for $22.77 and got to my door the next day, but then again I'm about 45 minutes away from them.

Look for the kit that's m8x1.25 stainless for turbos. Might have to give them a call, but well worth it. Now you can dump the studs in anti-sieze and not worry about your nuts falling off (bad both ways you can take that statement).

Post by **Cyberkreig** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 6:46 am

I am so glad i'm not the only one.. I just noticed the other day and was feeling like an idiot because now i have to take it all apart again.

Post by **Henry G** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:48 am

would it help to double up on the nuts? I just put my turbo back on the SR that is going in my 240, and forgot to put those tabs back on.

Post by **dareo** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 6:53 pm

At least your exhaust leak didnt melt your wiring harness, boil your brakes, fry your ECU, and destroy a coil pack....friends jdm silvia after autocrossing with a similar exhaust leak.

Post by **Henry G** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:21 pm

damn...

Luke · Post by **Luke** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 1:44 am

tenkawa_akito wrote:And taking the thing out is an sinch after you do it once. This time around I popped it right out.

Got any tips on making in a sinch? I took the turbo off while the engine was out of the car pretty easy. I've been procrastinating changing this gasket lately because my nuts backed out also.

Post by **Hijacker** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 11:03 am

i just drained the fluids, popped the downpipe off, knocked thhe dipstick tube out, undid all the IC plumbing, and then wrestled the manifold out. First time took m,e close to an hour and a half of raising the lift, doing one thing, lowering the lift, doing another, etc etc. The second time was at my garage on stands, and I was in super pissed mode which makes me work faster. Had it off in under half an hour. I just knew what to do the second time around. Like having a flex 13mm socket on a long extension to get at the annoying manifold nuts under the middle two runners.

EDIT: how in the world was this old beast rezzed?

Another reason why lock tabs are evil

Another reason why lock tabs are evil

Re: (DriftS14)

Re: Another reason why lock tabs are evil (tenkawa_akito)

Re: (tenkawa_akito)

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