ILBMF

On the '66 I'm about ready to reassemble the rear suspension and differential. The front differential mounting bracket had 2 bolts that go through the bracket and diff housing and the front bolt had a castle nut and cotter pin. The rear bolt was just a regular hex bolt and nut. I don't have a AIM and I'm just wanting to get it right upon reassembly.

Why the castle nut and cotter pin and how tight? And I assume it was the front bolt that uses the castle nut because that's the way it came off. Is this to allow for some flex in the differential housing when under a load or what?

66jack

45-55lb's..Front bolt is where the castle/cotter/nut is just like what you would do your front bearings...part of the assembly process...

As far a 'flex' your guess is as good as any????

ILBMF

Thank you.

jbrinsfi

Jumping on this thread, I have also been doing some refurbishment in the area of the front differential bracket assembly and I found that the forward most fastener (the one with the castle nut) was fairly loose i.e. I could turn the whole assembly with my hand. I removed the cotter pin and attempted to tighten the castle nut down and no joy... the thing is very frozen. After soaking for weeks with penetrating oil, still not able to break it free. So my question is, should I even try to get it tighter or is this fastener simply a pivot point on the differential suspension that does not need to be tightened down to clamp the bracket to the differential housing?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts, suggestions

66jack

That needs to be tightened to the suggested torque...you'll need to either get it loose so you can get it torqued...or...cut it off and replace it...

I forgot to mention in the previous post...the rearward bolt/nut needs a torque of 45-55lbs...