Abstract: A mechanical seal that employs a lock ring assembly having associated therewith a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism can include a nut element, such as a barrel nut, that allows an associated bolt element to adjust a tightening load and position while clamping occurs of the components of the mechanical seal. This adjustment flexibility removes or reduces unwanted bending stresses in the bolt element, thus allowing for more torque to translate directly to the lock ring. The barrel nut allows for more material to remain in the lock ring, thus providing for additional overall strength relative to a traditional locking element. The lock ring also includes a plurality of flex regions in the form of notches that allow the lock ring to flex when the main body is tightened about the shaft.