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Disc Brake Caliper Bolts - What's this white stuff?

Old 06-05-21, 08:10 PM
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SPiN 360
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Disc Brake Caliper Bolts - What's this white stuff?

I mounted my bike onto a trainer for the Winter, but I had to remove the rear disc brake caliper in order to make it fit.

Now I am putting it back together, but I noticed the bolts have some white stuff on the threads.

Image:




Another image: SRAM Level TL Caliper Hardware Kit, P/N 11.5018.021.006

Doing a search, I found various guesses, but no clear answer: Lithium grease? Threadlocker? Anti-seize?

What should I do here? Do I clean off this stuff and re-apply blue thead locker? Lithium grease?

Last edited by SPiN 360; 06-05-21 at 08:14 PM.
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Old 06-05-21, 08:31 PM
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Thread lock. If the bolts are not the same length one will have blue and the other white. Generally the one you have highlighted will have blue as they're both the same.
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Old 06-05-21, 08:32 PM
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It could be threadlock compound. I’ve had some mounting bolts with a dab of lock compound on the threads. The compound is usually blue, since blue tends to indicate a grade. (Blue = removable, Red = permanent). However, I’m not sure if all brands use the same color coding.
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Old 06-06-21, 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by cxwrench
Thread lock. If the bolts are not the same length one will have blue and the other white. Generally the one you have highlighted will have blue as they're both the same.
Thank you. It is 2 bolts of the same length, with the same white stuff.

Do I need to clean it off and then put on new thread locker? (I have the blue stuff.)
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Old 06-06-21, 07:32 PM
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Originally Posted by SPiN 360
Thank you. It is 2 bolts of the same length, with the same white stuff.

Do I need to clean it off and then put on new thread locker? (I have the blue stuff.)
No, just tighten the fasteners properly.
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Old 06-06-21, 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by cxwrench
No, just tighten the fasteners properly.
Thanks.

Further research has made me think this is really a thread sealant product, rather than a threadlocker.
In this case, you're probably right in saying it should just be re-torqued to spec.

For future reference, and google indexing, I also thought the white coating could be:

ND Microspheres Acrylic ThreadLock - A kind of thread-locker that can be pre-applied in a dry form. The active ingredients are encapsulated in tiny 'micro-spheres,' which get released which the screw is tightened. But it doesn't come in white.

Vibra-Tite VC3 - Another thread-locker that can be pre-coated at the factory. It's red or clear, but they can make it custom colours.
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Old 06-06-21, 07:52 PM
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Thread "treatment" shouldn't be white & powdery.
IF this is, it's corrosion from a steel bolt into an aluminum caliper.
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Old 06-06-21, 08:41 PM
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