What Makes A Single Screw Back Out?

[traveldawg]

I found this when I washed my roof the other day. A single screw under the trim had backed out just about all the way; I think it was just the trim holding it in. I screwed it back in and it tightened. Resealed the trim and now just going to inspect. After thousands of miles and a few years this just suddenly appears! How? Why?

[GeoTech]

[QUOTE=traveldawg;366883]I found this when I washed my roof the other day. A single screw under the trim had backed out just about all the way; I think it was just the trim holding it in. I screwed it back in and it tightened. Resealed the trim and now just going to inspect. After thousands of miles and a few years this just suddenly appears! How? Why?


Larry, I believe it has to do with which side they used right handed or left handed screws! Right handed should only be used on the drivers side. Ha Ha! On a side note, yes, "stuff" happens, and it will continue to happen as long as there is the vibrations/jarring we get on our wonderful roads throughout the country! Frustrating to say the least, that when every time we go for a trip we need to check the (no less than) 100's of screws that could come loose! BTW, did you back the screw up with a drop of Locktite?

[Ynot4me2]

Wow, that looks like about an inch.

[traveldawg]

No. I realized only after I screwed it back in that I should have applied something to hold it in like Locktite.

And yes, it was backed out about an inch! Unbelievable.

[D2Reid]

Squirrels with screw drivers. They don't live everywhere, so you only see the problem from time to time. Just kidding. I ride off road motorcycles. I have to locktite almost all bolts and screws. Vibration, stress movement (back and forth) all play a part on backing screws out. The single one you are showing is certainly an anomaly. I have my fair share of loose screws but my wife just tightens them back up and on down the road we go.