Wilwood front brakes

[FDLWproject]

So I’ve got the suspension finished on the front and have been preparing for the Wilwood 12.88” front brake installation. A few trips to Autozone for 12 point sockets and making sure Ive got a torque wrench that is inch-lbs later…

There are a few threads out there on this topic, but mostly older ones - so would love to get the latest thinking on a few questions…mostly around loctite usage.

This may be a ‘manufacturer will always go with most cautious instructions’ thing - but it seems they’re recommending red loctite 271 in a lot of places that would make it more difficult to service down the line. Who has used red loctite on these connections, and if not, did you instead use blue loctite or just ensure torque is right and on you go?

1. Caliper mount bracket to spindle
2. Rotor to rotor hat (yes I’ll be using safety wire regardless of loctite usage)
3. Caliper to caliper mount bracket

For reference, below are the instructions I found. Manual says to look at Factory Five Parts for Wilwood instructions but there aren’t any there for the front - only manual is if you look at the purchase page for the 12.88” brakes.

http://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Wilwood-front-brakes.pdf

Thanks!

[edwardb]

I've installed those brakes several times. I follow Wilwood's instructions exactly. Yes, red Loctite is evil (my opinion...) and should only be used where appropriate or directed. But in this case following the mfg's instructions. You don't have to pour it on though. Use in moderation. I haven't had occasion to take the hat and hub assembly apart. But I have had to loosen the caliper and brake pad bolts after using the red Loctite. They're hardened bolts and came apart without too much drama. Didn't have to use heat as is sometimes the case with red.

[F500guy]

I would agree with Paul, If it was a track car and checked and tore apart all the time, I would use blue. But street car that is not often checked at the nut/bolt level, red is a better bet.

[BRRT]

Ever use the Permatex orange?
https://www.permatex.com/products/thread-compounds/orange-threadlockers/permatex-high-strength-removable-threadlocker-orange-10-ml/

[FDLWproject]

Thanks guys! Loctite it is.

I’ve seen one or two threads mentioning orange but not much out there.

[phileas_fogg]

I used red loctite everywhere Wilwood instructed. I've had the rear brakes off half a dozen times now, and with a moderate amount of heat from the heat gun the bolts come loose enough to get out. For me, it's a low-impact extra step that provides a lot of piece of mind.


John

[cc2Arider]

I did the same as the other posters here and used the specified red loctite for the small hat bolts. I viewed these as not really needing to be serviced that often and I was actually concerned more about my safety wire wrapping technique being effective :rolleyes:

Everything else on the car will get blue loctite where recommended...

Craig C