How Does a Lock Washer Work

The body of evidence, based upon both experience and experimental results, is that they do not prevent loosening and can be shown to actually speed up the rate of loosening in many cases. Junker originally showed in his work published in 1969 that these washers are ineffective in preventing loosening.

Do you use a flat washer with a lock washer?

In general, I use a flat washer under a split locking washer to protect the base material, plating, or coating from damage caused by the split washer action. I may also use the flat washer to distribute the fastener load or ensure the split washer does not fall or grind into a larger clearance hole feature.

Does lock washer go before washer?

When used correctly, a lock washer will hold the nut or other threaded fastener in place. To help it accomplish this, put the lock washer on first, below the fastener. If your project calls for other washers or hardware elements, they should go on before the lock washer so that it can hold them in place.

Do you really need lock washers?

Lock washers are needed when the fastener assembly is subject to vibration or wherever back off is considered an issue. When should I use washers with bolts? Always use a washer between the installation material and the nut.

Can I reuse a lock washer?

You can normally reuse Nord-Lock wedge-locking washers, but it is necessary to perform a thorough inspection of both washers in the pair for signs of damage first. Damaged or worn washers should not be reused, as this can limit the performance of the wedge-locking effect and expose your bolted joints to loosening.

Does lock washer go on nut or bolt side?

The washer helps prevent damage to the surface of the object being fastened. In most cases where the bolt is easier to turn, the bolt has a round head that will cause less damage anyway. For the same reason, lock washers always go on the nut side to stop the nut moving.

Does the washer go next to the nut or bolt?

Unlike flat washers, which are placed on both the bolt and nut side, spring washers only go on the nut side of the fastener to establish a bond. A spring washer offers axial flexibility that’s intended to prevent loosening of the fastener with which it’s paired.

How do lock nuts work?

Nylon insert lock nuts—also known as nylon nuts and stop nuts—are a prevailing torque, locking nut that resists loosening caused by vibration and normal use. Unlike free spinning hex nuts, lock nuts make use of a deforming elastic or metal material to stay in position against torque and shock.

What is the difference between a washer and a lock washer?

A flat washer is a basic washer that’s flat on both sides. A lock washer is a semi-coiled washer that’s used to secure bolts in place.

Should you use a lock washer with a lock nut?

Locking Washers

Place the lock washer between the nut and the work surface if using a nut-and-bolt configuration, or between the fastener head and the work surface if using a tapped hole configuration. In other words, the bolt goes straight into the hole and doesn’t poke out the other end, so no nut is used.

Which side of the washer goes down?

The sharper edge goes towards the surface. The side that goes towards the nut or bolt is rounded. The flat washer goes between the nut/bolt and the split lock washer.

What is a crush washer?

They’re commonly found any time a threaded fastener has to seal in a liquid; the most common example is the crush washer under the oil drain plug of most cars. Tighten the plug, the soft copper washer deforms to fill any gaps, making a liquid-tight seal.

Is a spring washer a lock washer?

Spring washers are locking washers that are used when there is a need to prevent a fastener from loosening as a result of vibration. They are also often called split lock or split ring washers.