Aiming at analyzing the self-loosening mechanism of bolted joints under vibration, a three dimensional FEA model of bolted joints , which had taken thread into consideration, was built with the application of APDL, and the preload was applied on the bolted joints by dropping temperature, then FEA transient analysis of the bolted joints under transverse cyclic excitation was conducted. Effect of transverse cyclic excitation’s amplitude, initial preload, thread and bearing friction coefficients, the joints’ surface friction coefficient on self-loosening was investigated. The results show that the complete thread slip occurs prior to the complete bearing surface slip under transverse vibration; the smaller amplitude is, and the greater initial preload, thread and bearing friction coefficients are, the more difficult self-loosening is to happen; the joints’ surface friction coefficient has little relationship with self-loosening, however, the larger joints’ surface friction coefficient makes the needed shearing force, which induces the transversal vibration, larger. These are of great significance for understanding of fasteners’ self-loosening and designing of bolted joints’ anti-loosening.