[Resolved] Screws Coming Out / Which Loctite (Threadlocker)?

tech19181 · 11:28 PM

Hello:
I have an early 2011 15" Macbook Pro that has been serviced multiple times. The screws are starting to come out of the bottom case. I'm wondering which Loctite (Threadlocker) Apple uses (or should be used) to prevent them from coming out.

Is this one the right one (Blue)? Or should it be the Green one?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002UEMZ2/

Thanks!

The Resolution:

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuckle

I build radio control helicopters as a hobby, and am VERY familiar with Loctite. When used incorrectly I have a $2000 machine plummeting to the ground :-)

You want blue if the screw heads are not damaged and you have a screwdriver that is exactly the right size. If you're concerned about that, use purple.

Whichever you choose, you do NOT want to coat the whole screw. You only need a little for it to do the job, just the last 1/3 of the screw, the other end of the head not the head-end. If you coat the whole screw it will just squeegee out anyway and you will have to clean up the excess.

Your objective is to use just enough to keep it from backing out, not to make it impossible to remove. Feel free to PM me if this is not clear.

ChrisMan287 · Nov 21, 2012, 02:15 AM

I'd go with purple

tech19181 · Nov 21, 2012, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisMan287

I'd go with purple

Thank you for your reply. Is there a big difference between blue and purple? Is there a reason why Apple would originally use blue instead of purple? Thanks!

bobcan · Nov 21, 2012, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbentley111

Thank you for your reply. Is there a big difference between blue and purple? Is there a reason why Apple would originally use blue instead of purple? Thanks!

YES.. The colours indicate Strength of Holding Torque.. and if it is real LocTite brand, the BLUE may quite possibly Permanently Lock the Small Screws!!

** BLUE :Ideal for all nut and bolt applications 1/4in. to 3/4in. (6mm to 20mm)

tech19181 · Nov 21, 2012, 03:16 AM

Okay I'll get the purple then. And then to apply it you just squeeze a tiny bit on the screw and wipe off the excess? Does it matter if you put it on the top of bottom of the screw?

CJS7070 · Nov 21, 2012, 02:53 PM

It comes out of the tube as a liquid, not a paste, so application won't be terribly difficult. It'll just get all over the screw, pretty much.

I just replaced the thread lock on my 15" the other day, though I used the blue Loctite. Not sure how difficult it will be to remove, but my screws seem to have stopped unscrewing themselves (which is good!).

richnyc · Nov 21, 2012, 05:20 PM

I use the blue one but in a stick form:

Loctite QuickStix 248 Threadlocker Stick, Medium Strength/Removable; 9GM

FWIW, I use it for my bike stuff and it works quite good on computers, too, it's semi-permanent but I never had trouble to remove them

tech19181 · Nov 21, 2012, 05:43 PM

So the blue one definetly won't be too strong?

bobcan · Nov 21, 2012, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbentley111

So the blue one definetly won't be too strong?

Hopefully someone WILL reply who has Used and Removed it.. I cannot say that I have done so with the 'wee little' MBP screws to be honest.. There is such little contact area that perhaps it will not matter..

I DO however know that it is recommended by any and all users I know (more mechanical types) that you need Very Little to make it work, and in fact LESS is better.. Period..

** By Definition, LocTite (or any thread-locking compound) has to dry and seal the threads to do what it does.. I have applied too much on some projects, and weeks later it is still 'wet' and accordingly is not going to hold anything 'tite' as it were.. Although the Heat generated by the computer may also help to set the product..

tech19181 · Nov 21, 2012, 06:20 PM

This is tough. Some people said blue and some said purple. Now I have no idea which to get. It does seen that the entire screw does not need to be covered in it.

richnyc · Nov 21, 2012, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbentley111

This is tough. Some people said blue and some said purple. Now I have no idea which to get. It does seen that the entire screw does not need to be covered in it.

To be truthful I have never done it with the little screws like on my cMBP, only bigger ones on desktops and towers. Also, when disassembling PC components you only see blue loctite on screws, even my cMBP has blue loctite on all the main chassis screws, just a touch

I believe, you should be fine...

In any case, even purple should be plenty strong to keep not-moving, not-spinning, not-vibrating parts together

Either way, you're gonna be fine... Don't sweat it

canuckle · Nov 21, 2012, 07:02 PM

I build radio control helicopters as a hobby, and am VERY familiar with Loctite. When used incorrectly I have a $2000 machine plummeting to the ground :-)

You want blue if the screw heads are not damaged and you have a screwdriver that is exactly the right size. If you're concerned about that, use purple.

Whichever you choose, you do NOT want to coat the whole screw. You only need a little for it to do the job, just the last 1/3 of the screw, the other end of the head not the head-end. If you coat the whole screw it will just squeegee out anyway and you will have to clean up the excess.

Your objective is to use just enough to keep it from backing out, not to make it impossible to remove. Feel free to PM me if this is not clear.

nopw · Nov 22, 2012, 07:11 AM

It just so happens that i know somebody who is working for Loctite / Teroson.

canuckle

is 100% correct. If you have a not worn off screw: use the blue Loctite.
Only cover 1/4 to 1/3 of the screw-tip with a very small amount of Loctite.

ONLY the screw shall be covered with loctite! Do not put something into the thread!

Keep in mind that screws are actually made to fit perfectly so there is not much space inside the "system". It should only be a very thin layer.
While youre driving the screw in the Loctite will work it self up.

Try 1/4 first than work your self up to 1/2 covering the screw.

have fun:
nopw

Nov 21, 2012, 02:15 AM	#2
ChrisMan287 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NY.	I'd go with purple __________________ 15" PowerBook G4, 1.67GHz, 2GB RAM, 250GB HD ; 16GB iPad2.
	0

Nov 21, 2012, 02:53 PM	#6
CJS7070 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chicago, IL	It comes out of the tube as a liquid, not a paste, so application won't be terribly difficult. It'll just get all over the screw, pretty much. I just replaced the thread lock on my 15" the other day, though I used the blue Loctite. Not sure how difficult it will be to remove, but my screws seem to have stopped unscrewing themselves (which is good!). __________________ ~Calvin 2x3.2ghZ Octo-core Mac Pro \| 15" 2011 MacBook Pro \| 32GB iPhone 4 \| 4th Gen 32GB iPod touch \| 16GB iPad 2
	0

Nov 21, 2012, 05:20 PM	#7
richnyc macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NYC	I use the blue one but in a stick form: Loctite QuickStix 248 Threadlocker Stick, Medium Strength/Removable; 9GM FWIW, I use it for my bike stuff and it works quite good on computers, too, it's semi-permanent but I never had trouble to remove them __________________ MBP9,2 (16GB RAM, 768GB SSD); iPhone4 16GB; iPad3 32GB
	0

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Nov 21, 2012, 03:16 AM	#5
tech19181 Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ	Okay I'll get the purple then. And then to apply it you just squeeze a tiny bit on the screw and wipe off the excess? Does it matter if you put it on the top of bottom of the screw?
	0

Nov 21, 2012, 05:43 PM	#8
tech19181 Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ	So the blue one definetly won't be too strong?
	0

Nov 21, 2012, 06:20 PM	#10
tech19181 Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ	This is tough. Some people said blue and some said purple. Now I have no idea which to get. It does seen that the entire screw does not need to be covered in it.
	0

Nov 21, 2012, 07:02 PM	#12
canuckle macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2011	I build radio control helicopters as a hobby, and am VERY familiar with Loctite. When used incorrectly I have a $2000 machine plummeting to the ground :-) You want blue if the screw heads are not damaged and you have a screwdriver that is exactly the right size. If you're concerned about that, use purple. Whichever you choose, you do NOT want to coat the whole screw. You only need a little for it to do the job, just the last 1/3 of the screw, the other end of the head not the head-end. If you coat the whole screw it will just squeegee out anyway and you will have to clean up the excess. Your objective is to use just enough to keep it from backing out, not to make it impossible to remove. Feel free to PM me if this is not clear.
	0

Nov 22, 2012, 07:11 AM	#13
nopw macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Germany	It just so happens that i know somebody who is working for Loctite / Teroson. canuckle is 100% correct. If you have a not worn off screw: use the blue Loctite. Only cover 1/4 to 1/3 of the screw-tip with a very small amount of Loctite. ONLY the screw shall be covered with loctite! Do not put something into the thread! Keep in mind that screws are actually made to fit perfectly so there is not much space inside the "system". It should only be a very thin layer. While youre driving the screw in the Loctite will work it self up. Try 1/4 first than work your self up to 1/2 covering the screw. have fun: nopw
	0