French locks or lock washers?

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Aug 7, 2009 | 07:26 PM

c3_guy

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Racer

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 260

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From: Wheaton Illinois

French locks or lock washers?

I am putting my rear drive train back together after installing rebuilt trailing arms on my 76. The four bolts holding the half shafts to the spindle flange had lock washers and no french locks. I got a set of french locks with the TA's. I assume I use either the lock washers or french locks but not both. Is that correct? Which is better?

Thanks

Aug 7, 2009 | 07:28 PM

GTR1999

Tech Contributor

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 15,175

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From: Connecticut, USA

SS french locks,no lock washers or GM french locks. Torque to 70-75 ft/lb.

Aug 7, 2009 | 09:19 PM

gve

Drifting

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 1,331

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From: Appleton Wisconsin

Use french locks I tried lock washers they loosened after 3000 miles

Aug 7, 2009 | 09:28 PM

fugawi

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 2,077

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From: westmoreland N.H.

i use lock washers with good results. the car is only driven about 1000 miles a year, and all bolts are check during winter maintenance..

Aug 7, 2009 | 09:30 PM

72LS1Vette

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 4,883

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From: North Easton Mass

This may be obvious but make sure you bend up one of the tabs on the French lock against a flat on the bolt or they won't do you much good.

Rick B.

Aug 7, 2009 | 09:31 PM

markids77

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 2,709

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From: Savannah GA

Use new correct replacement bolts, blue Loctite and whatever lock you wish. Bolts which loosen after torquing to factory spec are either stretched from previous use or incorrectly torqued to begin with. The blue threadlocker is an insurance policy against loosening possibly due to the female threads being damaged in a previous repair.

Last edited by markids77; Aug 7, 2009 at 09:33 PM.