Hobie Bravo Gate Assembly Bolt Spacer? loose

Hello
I am having an issue whereby the small round spacer on the gate assembly bolt that goes through the a-frame is unwinding itself. I can only assume this spacer was originally loctite fitted and has come loose. It must be just hitting the inside of the a-frame. Am I right in supposing this spacer is only there to stop the bolt from falling out of the a-frame when undone? I tried to wind it back in as far as possible back into the a-frame but it is now loose and every time I unwind the mast assembly bolt to remove the mast it seems to again unwind.
Should I remove or try to loctite again? To do this do I need to remove the knob at the other end of the bolt and pull through? I also suspect this may be loctite fitted and may be difficult. Boat is only 1 year old.
Thanks