Lock-tite to fix play in adjustable stem?
 

I have an adjustable stem on my commuter bike that develops play up & down a little no matter how tight the bolt is underneath. I've read a few threads on how this is common with adjustable stems and many suggest going to a fixed stem if you've dialed in your fit already.

My question is if I add lock-tite to the bolt and plate which has a few ridges or steps in it that mesh like gears into the stem, will the lock-tite reduce the play by bonding the pieces? That's what I really need since the bolt does not loosen itself, it's the play that worries me when I'm standing and feel the bars move. I should add this stem is less than a year old and came on a Jamis Commuter 3.0. It appears rather strong and heavy.

That is the way of adjustable stems. Even good, new, strong ones. Problem is that there is a tremendous amount of torque on that hinge. No bolt could secure it for long.

I am pretty sure that Locktite will not solve it for more than a day or so. Products like that have virtually no shear strength.

jim

If you don't move it...why not pack it full of JB Weld?

I solved it by making sure everything was greasy and tightening the flaming diarrhea out of it.

Damn!! Coffee up my nose...

Kotts

Not all variable stems have interlocking systems that press inward from the sides. The Ritchey adjustable for example has a spline on one of the side plates that goes through a splined hole in the forward part of the stem. This does however take away the ability to adjust on the fly as the entire stem has to be taken apart (off of the steerer tube) to change the angle. The Zoom adjustable (MTB bars only as far as I know) also has splines that oppose slipping or rotating along with an extra bolt to lock those splines in place. It is however pretty heavy.