Nylon Nuts

[hrosenthal]

I want to tighten some nuts that may need to be removed and put back. I noticed that the nuts have a nylon ring. Can these nuts be reused? Also, should the nylon be facing in or out?
Thanks

[SStrong]

Nylon faces out. Personally I would not reuse. The nylon (you can buy these under the brand name Nylock) tends to lose its effectiveness after it is removed, especially if removed several times. Once may not hurt, depends on what they are holding in place. If reused, use a lock washer.
Steve

[CraigS]

The rule of thumb that I have always heard is that the nylock is still good as long as you can't turn it with your fingers.

[edwardb]

I agree with CraigS. As long as they are still providing a locking function, they can be reused. Having said that, I have a bunch of misc regular machine nuts that I use during assembly if I know they're going to be taken apart and reassembled multiple times. Then I use the lock nut only the last time. It's easier and quicker and saves the nylock as much as possible.

[riptide motorsport]

The issue is not that they could be reused but many times they will gall when being removed ruining both the nut and usually the stud.................Steven

[Bob_n_Cincy]

I call them "elastic Stop nuts"
I use then on all kinds of machines I design. I rarely us a regular machine nut.
Even if you forget to tighten one, they will not vibrate off. I trust them.
I did see one failure where the nylon melted because of a high heat application.
check out http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/hapages/an363_1.php
Bob

[efnfast]

Stovers (metal locking nuts) are 1 time use.

Nylocks can be re-used but I'd only do it once, twice at most. If it's for a critical area like suspension I'd just replace them.

[SStrong]

I roller skate (have for about 40 years). The nuts on the axles are Nylock. I don't reuse those since I had one (felt like it still worked, was more than hand tight) come off while skating backwards playing hockey. I got a 5 inch skull fracture of the left occipital lobe, frontal lobe bleeding, and now I have no sense of smell and a constant taste of lemon scones in my mouth (don't ask me why). Use your own judgement, in non-critical areas you could use them 2 or three times.

[snakeboost]

Nylocks are for toys cars use stovers quoted from Mike..........

Steve