Steering step screws backing out

[Saito2]

Perhaps I'm to only one with this problem but is there any method to prevent the steering step screws from backing out of the plastic knuckles they're threaded into? My WR01 Twin Detonator used to do this constantly BITD and now I'm seeing my Thundershot starting to do the same. One can only make them so tight without stripping out the plastic and obviously standard threadlocking methods are a no-no in plastic.

[Pylon80]

35 minutes ago, Saito2 said:

Perhaps I'm to only one with this problem but is there any method to prevent the steering step screws from backing out of the plastic knuckles they're threaded into? My WR01 Twin Detonator used to do this constantly BITD and now I'm seeing my Thundershot starting to do the same. One can only make them so tight without stripping out the plastic and obviously standard threadlocking methods are a no-no in plastic.

Nail polish, or CA glue are going to be your friends 👌

I prefer nail polish as it gives you some working time. CA glue can be a bit tricker to work with.

[Juggular]

5 hours ago, Pylon80 said:

Nail polish, or CA glue are going to be your friends 👌

I prefer nail polish as it gives you some working time. CA glue can be a bit tricker to work with.

I've got to give that a try. 

I had used nail polish that my wife never uses (blue) on joints of some kits.  I did not want them to stick, so I let it dry.  It thickened the shaft, so it would not fall off easily.  Yet I could still move it.  It does not seem to penetrate like marker would. It just stays on the surface. I can scratch off with my fingernail.  It doesn't seem to weaken this soft plastic.  So maybe I could use it as a plastic threadlock. 

 

[markbt73]

When they start to do that, I usually just ditch the step screw ("you'll never be my real screw!") and replace it with a brass shock bushing, a machine screw long enough to clear the hole, and a nut on the back side.

[CMshooter]

Yes, they all do that.  Superglue when installing.

[Grumpy pants]

I wonder if a bit of plumbers tape on the screw thread would hold it in place. 

[CMshooter]

2 hours ago, Grumpy pants said:

I wonder if a bit of plumbers tape on the screw thread would hold it in place. 

I think the added thickness will just split whatever you are threading it into.

[MadAnt]

Grease the C- hub.

[Saito2]

Will standard CA/superglue degrade or negatively interact with the plastic?

[Juggular]

2 hours ago, Saito2 said:

Will standard CA/superglue degrade or negatively interact with the plastic?

I was terrible at chemistry, but I think it's plastic safe.

Looking it up, cyanoacrylate (CA) is a plastic polymer.  I don't think there is any agent that's melting the plastic like acetone, ethyl acetate, butanone (stuff that are used in plastic glue).  Some brands simply say 100% ethyl cyanoacrylate, indicating that there is nothing but CA polymers. They can add stuff like retarders to slow down the process, or thicken it.  If that's the case, they'll say like 85% CA or something.  It can give you some frosting, but that's just CA molecules reacting to moisture and settled down on the surface (it's like flash freezing fog and water droplets falling to the ground).