) I'll just use the locktite.
Half Shaft French Lock
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 168
Likes: 5
From: Salt Lake City Utah
Half Shaft French Lock
I tried to get French locks from Corvette Central for my half shafts, but the parts are back ordered and CC reported that they don't know when any will be available.
What's the general opinion on using Locktite instead?
Any meaningful discussion would be appreciated.
What's the general opinion on using Locktite instead?
Any meaningful discussion would be appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
I only use French locks on factory correct restorations. I use red locktite on all other builds. One trick to prevent twisting French locks.....put some anti seize under the bolt heads so they don't grab and twist the locks
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
I tried to get French locks from Corvette Central for my half shafts, but the parts are back ordered and CC reported that they don't know when any will be available.
What's the general opinion on using Locktite instead?
Any meaningful discussion would be appreciated.
What's the general opinion on using Locktite instead?
Any meaningful discussion would be appreciated.
Jim
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 19
From: Manhattan Beach Ca
Careful. I just had a halfshaft let go without the French locks. All because one bolt fell out. Wont do that again. Bolts had locktite on them also. My .02 See my thread about 4 months ago.
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
A "good" French lock is a good idea; but most of the aftermarket pieces are just soft steel that 'look' like the originals. When you go to torque up the bolts, the flimsy French locks just want to wind up like a cheap clock spring. Poor metal with no heat treating.
You would be better off with lock washers and Loctite, IMO.
You would be better off with lock washers and Loctite, IMO.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,379
Likes: 6,390
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
I tried to get French locks from Corvette Central for my half shafts, but the parts are back ordered and CC reported that they don't know when any will be available.
What's the general opinion on using Locktite instead?
Any meaningful discussion would be appreciated.
What's the general opinion on using Locktite instead?
Any meaningful discussion would be appreciated.
Lars
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,266
Likes: 4,361
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
Even if the locks only cost 5 cents each originally you can be pretty sure Chevrolet wouldn't have used them if they weren't needed in those couple of locations.
Regards,
Alan
Even if the locks only cost 5 cents each originally you can be pretty sure Chevrolet wouldn't have used them if they weren't needed in those couple of locations.
Regards,
Alan
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Yes. But there's were treated steel that didn't wind up when you torque the bolts.
If parts more like the originals are available, I'm not aware of it. But, give it a shot if you want. I bought some several years ago and they were cheap junk....looked like the factory parts, but metal and metallurgy nothing alike.
If parts more like the originals are available, I'm not aware of it. But, give it a shot if you want. I bought some several years ago and they were cheap junk....looked like the factory parts, but metal and metallurgy nothing alike.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Yes. But there's were treated steel that didn't wind up when you torque the bolts.
If parts more like the originals are available, I'm not aware of it. But, give it a shot if you want. I bought some several years ago and they were cheap junk....looked like the factory parts, but metal and metallurgy nothing alike.
If parts more like the originals are available, I'm not aware of it. But, give it a shot if you want. I bought some several years ago and they were cheap junk....looked like the factory parts, but metal and metallurgy nothing alike.
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Mar 15, 2015 at 12:43 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If you have installed the French Locks and have bent the [anti-rotation] tab up for each bolt, there is no reason to use Loctite...unless you are a NASA engineer and require having redundant system reliability.