XM-18 Gen 4 Pivot Issue

AsianBeerCan · Oct 30, 2017

Hey guys.
I noticed some pretty bad blade play on my XM-18 (Gen 4) earlier today and loctited the pivot in a new position, the loosest I could get it without any blade play. Now the entire pivot moves around when I open and close the blade. Is this something I just didn't notice before and is normal with Hinderer pivots or did I mess up my knife?
Thanks.

Big_Red · Oct 30, 2017

Not normal. Pivot should stay put.

blades&wrenches · Oct 30, 2017

Had it happen once or twice where it'll slowly work it's way around. Its the pivot being just loose enough that there is not enough tension to keep it from rotating. As long as you don't have play and it's centered, I wouldn't worry about it too much. However, a smidge tighter and it probably won't happen.

Ajack60 · Oct 30, 2017

on mine, the pivot will rotate by hand, but will not rotate when locked up. It could be that some loctite got onto the blade/pivot barrel.
Does the pivot rotate at the same speed when you open or close the knife?

whitty · Oct 30, 2017

Ajack60 said:
on mine, the pivot will rotate by hand, but will not rotate when locked up. It could be that some loctite got onto the blade/pivot barrel.
Does the pivot rotate at the same speed when you open or close the knife?

This is exactly what I was thinking.

JB in SC · Oct 31, 2017

^^^

it doesn't take much Loctite in the wrong spot to make the pivot turn. IMO most people put too much Loctite on the screw, it only takes a tiny bit to secure it. Clean the threads thoroughly before applying the Loctite and let it cure completely before using the knife.

jwh720 · Oct 31, 2017

Ajack60 said:
on mine, the pivot will rotate by hand, but will not rotate when locked up. It could be that some loctite got onto the blade/pivot barrel.
Does the pivot rotate at the same speed when you open or close the knife?

This

Before I really figured out the power of loctite I had been putting way to much on and some got into the pivot causing it to rotate. I now use a toothpick to apply a small drop to the center of the pivot screw so that by the time the loctite gets near the female end of the pivot the male end is alread well aligned and lessens the chance of the locktite dripping down the outside of the male end of the pivot.

jalcon · Nov 4, 2017

You put too much loctite on and now the pivot and blade act as one unit. Dissemble and clean...put back together, and use just a drop of loctite. I've done exactly what you did, before haha. Btw, the pivot screw will rotate if you clamp down on it with your finger and thumb, and turn it, while the blade is shut. It shouldn't move real easily or be loose though...but you can turn it with some force...again...this is independent of the blade itself moving.