Anti seize use

[pauleyman]

What is the opinion of the masses on antiseize use? I have used it on many alum/steel interfaces. Wheels, lugs spark plugs and any bolt i feel its necessary. My real question is lug nuts and spark plugs. Lots of people online arguing you shouldn't. Well Ive been doing it 40 years without issue so what gives? Is there really a torque issue on lugs? And ngk themselves say dont use it. Why?

 

[laserRSawd]

I hate the stuff. At work I only use it on exhaust. At home I have no use for it. I do live in the NW so I'm sure the rust belt guys will have something to say.

 

[danl]

The reason for lug nuts is that it decreases the tightening torque required. So if using it, you apply less torque to get the same clamping load. Also the risk of lug nuts loosening. I still use it, but I am aware of the above.

For ngk plugs, they have a coating already applied to resist siezing. On the s2000 plugs like to back out and it smokes the motor. On that car and my Subaru I use ngk, torqued to spec, no anti seize, never a problem.

On my 4g63 I stopped using anti seize, but torque by hand.

On exhaust I use loctite 8036. Kinda messed up they call it loctite but it does the opposite. Should name their anti seize line notite or something, but I digress…

 

[SixBolt_16G]

I use it, I cant go 10 seconds without it getting on multiple things before i even get started. Yeah, im that guy who's immediately wearing a metallic mustache or eyebrows after picking it up.

I really only use it on metal-on-metal surfaces like hubs before i put rotors on or more recently, on my rear crossmember because GSTs are 4 points of metal-on-metal back there. When I worked at Discount Tire decades ago, it was standard practice to put them on lugs. I stopped doing that after I left because I always use a torque wrench and the wheels on any of my cars/truck are never on long enough to get seized, whether its new tires, rotation, or some type of brake/suspension work. But never had a problem when i did use it on lugs.

 

[dwb]

I only use it on exhaust bolts/nuts/studs, and not all the time either. Proper torque is more important, at least in my dry climate.

 

[pauleyman]

All good points and I'm aware of clamping loads etc.
I dont live in a Salt state although we do use it sparingly. Ive had a few tougher than necessary suspension bolts, lugnuts etc so I use it there. Never had anything come loose at factory torque specs.

 

[chrysler kid]

I use thread sealer on the wheel studs or on bolts that have a high chance of corrosion. For example I use thread sealer on water pump bolts or thermostat bolts. I don’t want them to be loose and I don’t want them to be corroded. I use the liquid thread sealer just so water doesn’t get into the threads

 

[DogWhistle]

If you live anywhere north of the state of Kansas, you’ll thank yourself for using it next time you have to service anything.

Our modifications and repairs don’t usually require service for years and a lot of moisture causing corrosion can seep into threads during that time.

That said, we would never use it during engine assembly since it does change the torque readings.