Hello! Problem Statement: I have the Rugged Ridge 1.25" wheel spacers. I also have a seized caliper, which destroyed my rotor, which will require removal of the wheel spacers. The lug bolts were installed per directions with a dab of red threadlock. I have read a lot of horror stories about removing part with RTL (red thread lock) and want to reach out to folks that may have ideas or put my mind at ease. Request for help: What do you recommend for removing the lug bolts?
I would just use good counter torque. Make sure you have a friend to help with setting brake pedal. Don't force it. I would definitely NOT use an impact driver if you hit a roadblock and think that's a good idea. If you can't break the torque with a breaker bar, go to a shop.
I could certainly apply enough torque with a breaker bar. Just don't have experience with the red stuff. Don't want to break a lug bolt off.
Heat, Red Loctite requires approximately 500 degrees F (250 degrees C) of localized heat to break loose. Hit the bolts with a torch (to get them hot, not to cut them off (it isn't required to get them so hot they glow)) for a minute and they should come right off. Lock tight IS NOT required when installing wheel spacers. Torque them as you would your rims, when the wheels are rotated, check the torque on the spacer bolts also.
500 degrees seems pretty in line with what I've read. If I torch the bolt itself up to about that point, do I risk damaging other things, or as long as I'm quick and keep the heat on the bolt itself it should be OK? I know this now, and it makes absolute sense. Initial install I followed the directions that came with them which recommend a dab/drop of red locktite. Hindsight is 20/20 and all that jazz. -T
Something to consider, Red Locktite is a permanent locking compound, for like bearing studs and such. Brakes pas and rotors are a consumable item... We use Blue Locktite on brake calipers because we want them to stay in place, but we want to be able to remove them when necessary. ... could have been worse, you could have used Green Locktite. lol Green is for bearing races and studs that you don't want to remove, and it is also designed for bolts that have already been tightened. It is thin and will work itself into the threads locking them in place.
