This paper aims to clarify the mechanism of self-loosening return rotation of threaded joints subjected to transverse impact. Slippage, occurring in the parts of mating threads and a bearing surface, and relative displacement between two fastened plates, are considered through an approximate vibration analysis. The elastic torsion of a bolt shank expected to occur during slippage of the mating threads is supposed to be the most significant factor in the return rotation based on the previous results obtained by one of the authors and others, following which a fundamental idea is presented to explain the occurrence of the return rotation. The experiments support the idea in an oil lubrication well. Thus, the idea presented in this paper is applicable to the present problem.