Front Brake Discs

[mad-dawg]

I have a selection of shiny stainless bolts to replace the rusty crap on my bike and am working steadily through the numerous bags of BLING.
I removed one front Torx disc bolt and checked the Haynes manual for the torque setting for the new shiny bolt and it said use thread lock. Then I checked my official but generally less helpful BMW workshop manual which specifically does not advocate the use of thread lock. So which is correct "to lock or not to lock, that is the question"
Oh and if its "not lock" then is a coat of coppaslip in order?
And yes it was sunny today and I was hiding in the garage, but in my defence this was to avoid spring cleaning/decorating duties.

 

[sockpuppet]

Afaik its "to lock". That is becuase BMW advocate changing the bolts with the disc as the bolts come with locktite applied from new and are seen as single use becuase of this. So just use locktite and be happy.

 

[the celt]

as the bolts come with locktite applied from new

If we are talking about the bolts that hold
the front disc plates on for a R1100gs/ R1150Gs
part No 34112330314 ...
They do not come with locktite
applied i am looking at a new set now
with no locktite on them...

 

[sockpuppet]

Must be another bolt then. I've definatly read about some bolts coming pre loctited from BMW. Where is Steptoe when you need him.

GS repair manual for 1150 replacing disc.
(clean thread + Loctite 243).......................... 24 Nm

 

[ianboydsnr]

You need locktite on or copperslip, the locktite is better in that it stops the bolts loosening and keeps the threads free from corrosion, but I used copperslip because I am a rebel

 

[mad-dawg]

Boggled

This is why I like this forum four answers, all good and I am very gratefull for your support. I like the idea of loctite but am concerned about new stainless into old alloy, I imagine it will be very tense and exciting if I have to remove the bolts anytime in the future. Coppaslip sounds like a fine idea but I have a nagging fear of bolts coming loose so will need to be OCD before each ride.
I did consider leaving them as they are all orange and crusty but it already looks like a barn find and needs some TLC.
Any more opinions will be very wellcome and the most popular answer will be used with gay abandon.

 

[MattW]

My 2p:
I'd use a low or medium strength loctite (eg. 243) - serves two purposes:
Stops the bolts loosening (fairly obvious ).
Prevents inter-metallic corrosion between the bolts and the alloy by sealing up the voids in the thread - a bit of heat will always allow you to remove them in the future.

Also bear in mind that torque figures will be specified according to the required thread treatment (dry, lubricated, loctite etc)