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Keeping a baby seat attached

I have a baby seat sometimes attached to a crappy mountain bike mainly for purpose of transporting the baby while the older two kick scoot around squirrel hill. It also is doubling right now as my winter commuter. Trouble is, the nuts that secured the bolts and thereby the plastic seat shell to the babyseat rack keep shaking loose and falling off. Do other people have this problem? Seems to happen to me after just a ride or two, even without anything in the seat. Also a downer not to keep that seat attached most of the time because it's the platform for hanging Marco's menorah from last year, and I really need to start advertising the Hanukkah ride loud and proud. Suggestions appreciated.
byogman
2014-12-12 10:15:21
Have you tried nyloc nuts (they have a nylon insert which grips the threads of the bolt and helps prevent vibration from causing rotation) or blue Loctite thread locker goop?
reddan
2014-12-12 10:52:20
+1 for Nyloc nuts. They should be less than 25 cents each & most hardware stores will have them.
marko82
2014-12-12 11:16:34
I've done well by Loctite goop. But first check both the nuts and bolts for thread fatigue, I.e., stripped.
stuinmccandless
2014-12-12 13:41:32
If you use thread locking compound, you will get the best results if you clean the nuts and bolts before applying it. I typically use rubbing alcohol and an old toothbrush because the alcohol evaporates nicely, and isn't as smelly, toxic and expensive as other chemicals that work (acetone, xylene, lacquer thinner, wax and grease remover).
jmccrea
2014-12-14 11:11:43
Or if there is enough thread, you can just double nut. If not, a lock washer might help.
helen-s
2014-12-14 21:52:25
I like the lock washer idea. Combining that with my earlier concern about stripped threads, if the bolt has a stripped spot but replacement might prove difficult, add a couple of plain washers as spacers and then add the lock washer under a new nut.
stuinmccandless
2014-12-15 03:52:34