Tornado Nyloc Jam Nut 3/8-16 Zinc Plated 03868

A nyloc nut locks by forcing the bolt thread to cut into a nylon collar at the top of the nut. This one is a jam nyloc — thinner than a standard nyloc — in 3/8-16, zinc plated. Part number 03868 is the genuine OEM part.

Compatible Models for the Nyloc Jam Nut 3/8-16 Zinc Plated

This part is shared across a wide run of machines. On the Marathon 1200 family it is fitted to:

• Tornado 98168 12 Gallon Self Contained Carpet Extractor
• Tornado 98168 20″ Marathon 1200 Carpet Extractor (12 Gallon, 115V) — all series
• Tornado 98169 20″ Marathon 1200 Carpet Extractor (12 Gallon, 230V)
• Fits many other machines — call 763-535-0770 and we will confirm fitment for your machine.

The nylon collar is the whole mechanism and it is consumable. Each time the nut is run down a thread the collar is cut a little more, and after two or three uses it no longer grips. The test is simple: a good nyloc needs a tool for the last part of its travel even with no load on the joint. If yours spins down with fingers all the way, the collar is finished however new the nut looks.

Heat is the other limit. Nylon softens and then degrades with temperature, so a nyloc near a motor or any warm component has a shorter life than one out in the open, and a collar that has gone hard and glossy has already lost most of its grip. Detergent accelerates the same process.

Because this is a jam nyloc, it is thin. It cannot develop the clamping force of a full-height nut and should not be substituted for one — a joint carrying real load with only a jam nut on it is weaker than it looks, whether or not the nut also locks.

Do not run a nyloc down with a power driver. The friction generates enough heat to melt the collar, and the nut then arrives at the joint with no locking action at all — the most common way a brand-new nyloc fails to do its job.

Fit by hand until the collar engages, then tighten to the correct torque. Always fit a new one rather than reusing.

Browse every assembly for this machine on the Tornado 98168 Marathon 1200 parts hub, and see the manufacturer’s range at tornadovac.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What machines does the nyloc nut 03868 fit?

It is fitted to the Tornado 98168 12 Gallon Self Contained carpet extractor and the 98168 20″ Marathon 1200 in all series, and it is shared across many other machines. Call 763-535-0770 with your model and serial number and we will confirm fitment before you order.

Can I reuse a nyloc nut?

Not in any position that matters. The nylon collar is consumable — each time the nut is run down a thread it is cut a little more, and after two or three uses it no longer grips. A good nyloc needs a tool for the last part of its travel even with no load; if yours spins down with fingers, it is finished.

Why did my new nyloc nut not lock?

Most often because it was run down with a power driver. The friction generates enough heat to melt the collar, so the nut arrives at the joint with no locking action at all. Run it on by hand until the collar engages, then tighten with a tool.

How do I order the Nyloc Jam Nut 3/8-16 Zinc Plated (part# 03868) or get help?

You can add the Nyloc Jam Nut 3/8-16 Zinc Plated (part# 03868) directly to your cart on this page, or call us at 763-535-0770. Our staff at 5415 West Broadway, Crystal, MN 55428 has been servicing Tornado equipment since 1956 and can help confirm the right part for your machine.

Questions? Call us at 763-535-0770 or visit us at 5415 West Broadway, Crystal, MN 55428.