What are lock nuts used for?

Asked by: Lauren Handy

Bearing lock nuts, sometimes called shaft locknuts or bearing retaining nuts, are utilized to secure bearings onto a shaft and are designed to prevent the loosening of components due to vibration and rotation.

Where does a lock nut go?

So if you look at the lock nut one side has a tapered crown to it and that's the side that goes up another way you can tell is if you look at one side of the lock nut it looks very round.

Are lock nuts required?

In general, lock-nuts are not necessary when the bolts are fully tensioned ( Bolting Category 8.8TF / 8.8TB ). If a lock-nut is used in a fully tensioned joint, only part turn method is applicable. The thickness of the nut should be added to the grip length when deciding the part turn amount.

Can lock nuts be undone?

Fit the socket wrench over the lock nut and turn it counterclockwise to remove it. Loosen it until you can pull it off by hand.

Are jam nuts and lock nuts the same thing?

Jam nuts



Also called a half lock nut, a jam nut has a lower profile than standard nuts and designed to be tightened – or jammed – against another nut. The jam nut by itself is not a lock nut – it’s the function it performs that earns its place here.

Do you need a lock washer with a lock nut?

Lock washers are used to keep the nut and bolt in place by preventing them from turning, slipping or coming loose. There are a wide variety of lock washers, each designed for a specific application, but their basic purpose is always the same – to keep the nut and bolt secure.

How do you use lock nuts and washers?

So this is your standard lock washer been cut on the edge there and then twisted. So when you lock a nut down it locks the nut in place it's good to use these with a flat washer.

What does a lock nut look like?

It's almost like a punch. Right in the center. And that shows that that's a 2-way. So it's locking two-way. No matter you put it on or off.

Where are Nyloc nuts used?

The Nyloc nut is an economic locking nut and ideal in applications where vibration or motion could loosen or undo the nut. The nut can also be used to assist sealing the bolt thread against seepage of oil, water, petrol, paraffin and other liquids.

Does double Nutting help?

If the thick nut is overtightened, there is the risk of thread stripping or the tensile fracture of the bolt between the two nuts. The reason why the two nut system is effective in resisting self loosening is due to the way the threads are jammed together (hence the term jam nut being frequently used for the thin nut).

What is the purpose of double nuts?

The double nut, also known as jam nut, is a friction locking method that uses two separate nuts on top of each other. Care must be taken during the tightening of the second nut as overtightening will lead to thread stripping or tensile rupture of the bolt.

Which way do nylon lock nuts go on?

Which way do nylon lock nuts go? Nylon lock nuts go nylon side away from the head of the bolt or screw. The threading should be coming out of the nylon insert side of the nut as the bolt or screw is fastened.

How do you install a locking nut?

So once you've moved the strings. And you remove those two screws you should be able to just reach down with your hand and grab the nut. And just pull it right off.

Where does a washer go with a nut?

If there is only one washer used with a nut/bolt, it usually goes on the nut side. The nut in most circumstances is more movable, and is more commonly turned to tighten the assembly. The washer helps prevent damage to the surface of the object being fastened.

Which way does a nylon lock nut go on?

Which way do nylon lock nuts go? Nylon lock nuts go nylon side away from the head of the bolt or screw. The threading should be coming out of the nylon insert side of the nut as the bolt or screw is fastened.

Which way do nuts go on?

There are conflicting viewpoints on which nut should be installed first. However, the most common use case involves the jam nut being tightened down first. The jam nut is followed by the second nut which is tightened or “jammed” against the first jam nut.

What does a lock nut look like?

It's almost like a punch. Right in the center. And that shows that that's a 2-way. So it's locking two-way. No matter you put it on or off.

How do you use lock nuts and washers?

So this is your standard lock washer been cut on the edge there and then twisted. So when you lock a nut down it locks the nut in place it's good to use these with a flat washer.

What is a Stover lock nut?

Stover® lock nuts are one-piece hex nuts which derive their prevailing torque characteristics from controlled distortion of their top threads from their normal helical form to a more elliptical shape.

What is a Conelock nut?

Conelock Nuts are one piece, all-metal prevailing torque hex nuts and have threads at the top of the nut that are imperfect and cause interference to allow them to lock and not vibrate and become loose. Conelock nuts are not temperature or chemical limited in applications.

What are Stover nuts used for?

Despite the fact they are called “lock nuts,” Stover lock nuts are not permanently locked in place so they can be adjusted or removed after installation. And because they stay put without being seated, they are used as stop nuts or spacers for rotating or other components.

What is a top lock nut?

A locknut with a crimped top to prevent loosening. It does this by slightly distorting the threads of the mating part.

Are lock nuts better than lock washers?

To make the right decision, consider the final environment and type of application. Here is the basic breakdown of when you will want to use a locknut over a lock washer: When you need something that can handle the pressure that comes with torquing down a bolt or screw, choose a lock washer.

What is the difference between a hex nut and a lock nut?

Nylon insert lock nuts are very similar to basic finished hex nuts, but feature a nylon insert lock to help secure the nut into place. When a nylon insert lock nut is installed onto a bolt or screw, the nylon insert wraps around the threads, protecting the connection from loosening due to vibration.

Can you reuse top lock nuts?

They are able to be reused, but only if the prevailing torque meets certain specifications. Lock Nuts with a Nylon Insert are perhaps the most reliable lock nut, as it is only limited by the temperature of the application it has been used in.

How many times can you use a lock nut?

Nylock nuts are the most common and inexpensive self-locking aircraft nuts. These elastic insert nuts are inexpensive and almost infinitely reusable. Nylock nut tensile strength is rated at 125,000 psi with a 250°F temperature rating.

How do all metal lock nuts work?

In case of all metal locknuts, these threads are deflected plastically so that there are different points of interference with the threads of the mating part. In interference fit, the threads of prevailing torque locknut have negative clearance. This means neither there is contact nor deflection with the mating part.

Can all metal lock nuts be reused?

Nylon insert nuts can be reused a small number of times because the mating threads only deform the nylon instead of cutting into it and permanently altering the shape. All-metal locknuts are less likely to be used more than once since the mating threads wear away this locking feature.

Can an aluminum hex nut be reused?

These fasteners can be reused if the amount of rust doesn’t prohibit the fastener from being assembled or disassembled from the joint. If the joint is critical in nature, i.e. holds a substantial load or would result in personal harm or equipment damage upon failure, we recommend you do not reuse the fastener.

What is a prevailing torque lock nut?

Prevailing torque lock nuts are one piece, prevailing torque hex nuts with a conical top and a flat bottom bearing surface with chamfered corners. The locking action, created by distortion of their top threads, is said to resist loosening caused by shock, vibration and other dynamic forces.