So I've got a TF hinge carrier/tire carrier combo unit. I installed it over the weekend but didn't have any thread locking compound. I plan on going through the process of taking everything off and re attaching everything this weekend when pick up some thread locking compound.
So I'm bringing this up because I remember watching a video on someone installing this thing and they mentioned to use RED locktite. Now I'm not the most knowledgeable person with cars and being a first time Jeep owner has been a pretty big plunge as far as learning about suspensions, realizing my tool box uhh needs a lot of upgrades etc etc, but don't you need something along the lines of a blowtorch to loosen and remove bolts/screws etc that have been used with red threadlocker? Wouldn't Blue be the much better option?

 

I would use blue threadlock as that is what the instructions call for -

https://teraflex.com/file/attachment...0075d9f476.pdf

https://teraflex.com/file/attachment...00742e04b7.pdf

 

Ya know what I totally didn't even notice that and I looked over those instructions probably ten times. Spent six hours installing that and a new soft top on my JK so my brain was pretty fried after around the third hour haha.

 

In general you are right though. Red should be reserved for more extreme circumstances than those tire carrier bolts. That said, I've never had to use heat to remove something with red that I recall....usually able to break it loose. Blue is safe to use on most things that you want just that little bit extra for. If you ever have a brake caliper bolt or wheel bearing bolt work loose, you'll start using blue on a lot of things. . They have an orange now as well which is an in-between thing. That is supposed to be more the strength of red but removable with hand tools.

 

Good to know. Also one more question since I've never used this stuff before. Am I right to assume these compounds are something that takes time to settle? Like If I re-bolt this carrier back on but messed up the alignment of the other holes would it be a hassle to get the bolt back out for adjustments?

 

red can dry pretty fast on you. you are fine with the blue stuff. I've used the liquids, that stuff in a tube that is more pasty, and some in stick form (like a glue stick). They all dry at different rates. I kind of like the glue stick form for the blue myself.

 

IMO, Red is for studs that you never have to pull later. You will need to heat up the area to break the bond.
Blue everything else, worried about it coming loose use more than a drop.

 

FWIW-
There are multiple types of thread lockers that are the same color. Various heat ranges and applications are available. A tire carrier probably isn't considered a critical component but many applications specify a SPECIFIC part number to use. In diffs this can be a big issue.