Need advice on FFFF! Clip Torque procedure
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 166
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Need advice on FFFF! Clip Torque procedure
My 69 AIM says to Torque the Axle bolts to 60-90 lbs. But my French Clip got bent up well before I was at 70 lbs.
Any tips on preventing the F clip from turning while I torque the bolts?
TIA
Any tips on preventing the F clip from turning while I torque the bolts?
TIA
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Exactly. The originals were heat treated so they wouldn't get gouged by the hex head nor bend under torque load. The present aftermarket "gypos" are just mild steel. The tang on a mild steel part might not even retain the bolt if it started to work loose. Either find the correct parts or use lock washers.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 166
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Thanks guys.
I will try to get the Good ones.
If not, I know that Lock Washers work, although I will need to see if I need longer bolts. I need to make sure I have plenty of thread depth before I torqued the bolts with a Lock washer decreasing the depth.
I will try to get the Good ones.
If not, I know that Lock Washers work, although I will need to see if I need longer bolts. I need to make sure I have plenty of thread depth before I torqued the bolts with a Lock washer decreasing the depth.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
A French "lock" is a strip of metal that mounts under two [usually] bolts which has little tangs that are bent up next to those bolt heads (after torquing it) so that the bolts cannot work loose. These are used with the rear axle U-joint flanges and under the mounting bolts for the exhaust manifolds on C3 Corvettes.
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: London England
A French "lock" is a strip of metal that mounts under two [usually] bolts which has little tangs that are bent up next to those bolt heads (after torquing it) so that the bolts cannot work loose. These are used with the rear axle U-joint flanges and under the mounting bolts for the exhaust manifolds on C3 Corvettes.
We call them lock tabs or lock plates.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Lock washers work just fine. Those french clips are for the birds. A little loctitie with a lock washer and they are not going to move. If it is NCRS use the French ones if not use lock washers.
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
Well... that comment really bolstered my confidence from the Bubba to the acceptable. That's the solution I used after having the same result with the French locks supplied in a kit.
Nothing against the NCRS crowd and just wanted to feel I'm not chasing half-shafts falling out from under the car. LOL.
Thanks Gordonm!
Nothing against the NCRS crowd and just wanted to feel I'm not chasing half-shafts falling out from under the car. LOL.
Thanks Gordonm!