Lock Washers

How to install a lock washer?

• Place the lock washer between the threaded fastener (like a nut) and the screw / bolt head.
• Make sure that the lock washer press against the fastener & other adjacent surfaces and forms a tight connection. Press the fastener down to lock the grooves of a tooth lock washer with the grooves of the nut.
• Use a wrench or ratchet to tighten the nut or threaded fastener.
• Make sure that the teeth of the tooth lock washer are covered completely by the nut / fastener head, or that the split lock washer is slightly out of alignment to indicate tension on the threaded fastener. Users may loosen the nut / threaded fastener to adjust the washer if it is not operating correctly.

How to remove a lock washer?

• After the operation is completed, the washer can be removed by simply removing the nut / threaded fastener that is holding the washer in place using a vise-grip or pipe wrench.
• Use a flat screwdriver to pry the lock washer off. When removing a split washer, the screwdriver head should be placed inside the split or beneath the washer and pushed. When removing a washer having teeth, the screwdriver head should be placed under a tooth and pushed up, repeating the procedure with more teeth if required. For other lock washer types, the screwdriver head can be placed below the washer and pushed up. The washer may break during removal, depending on the amount of pressure being applied.
• If the lock washer does not budge, use penetrating oil and repeat the previous step.
• Some lock washers can be used multiple times easily. Other washers (split lock) can be used only 1 or 2 times. Users should not reuse a split lock washer or other damaged washers. Do not use old washers in high-stress joint applications.

What is the difference between lock washers and flat washers?

Flat washers are suitable for increasing the surface area and distributing the applied force when tightening the fastener. They can be used on the fastener's bolt & nut sides, or used as spacers where using a bolt may not be suitable.
Lock washers create tension during tightening to prevent the loosening of nuts. They are generally used on the fastener's nut side for applications involving vibrations.

Which type of lock washers has the highest vibration resistance?

Split Lock, Tooth Lock, Diamond-Coated Lock, Spring Lock and Wedge Lock type lock washers have vibration resistance in ascending or increasing order.