Half-Shaft Flange Fasteners
Thread Starter
Old Fart Pilot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 991
From: Spokane, WA
Half-Shaft Flange Fasteners
So my '71 AIM and the '53-'82 Corvette Parts & Illustration Catalog both show the half-shaft flanges secured to the axle flanges with just bolts through french locks - no flat washers or lock washers. The half-shaft fastener kit I got from Top Flight did not have any washers for those bolts either.
However, when I disassembled my car long ago, those bolts had lock washers on them. Unfortunately, I can't access my old photos to see if the french locks were there or were missing.
I don't know if the factory originally added those lock washers (either with or without the french locks) or perhaps a mechanic later in the car's life added them (again, with or w/o the french locks).
Anyway, this inconsistency got my thinking what is best. When you folks connect the flanges (with french locks), do you add any washers or just install w/o them as shown in the AIM??
thanks,
paul
Thanks,
Paul
However, when I disassembled my car long ago, those bolts had lock washers on them. Unfortunately, I can't access my old photos to see if the french locks were there or were missing.
I don't know if the factory originally added those lock washers (either with or without the french locks) or perhaps a mechanic later in the car's life added them (again, with or w/o the french locks).
Anyway, this inconsistency got my thinking what is best. When you folks connect the flanges (with french locks), do you add any washers or just install w/o them as shown in the AIM??
thanks,
paul
Thanks,
Paul
Race Director
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
On my 77 which I have owed since Christ was a Corporal. It came factory with bolts/frenchlocks. no washers. Once years ago when working on the car I didn't have new french locks so I put lock washers on the bolts. Ran it like that for a few years. Next time I was working on the car I remembered to order new french locks. And then put it back. bolts/frenchlocks, no washers.
I am not a mechanical engineer. I am a mechanic. I don't generally argue with the manufacturer. they have built a lot more cars than I have.
Lock tabs or lock washers. Both doesn't make sense.
I am not a mechanical engineer. I am a mechanic. I don't generally argue with the manufacturer. they have built a lot more cars than I have.
Lock tabs or lock washers. Both doesn't make sense.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,990
From: Connecticut, USA
Check that the bolts are shoulder type and not fully threaded. The shoulder bolt was used with a steel French lock- which will twist before you reach torque. The shoulder bolt with SS French lock and a drop of 242 will work. The HP aftermarket flanges use grade 9 bolts and lock washers with Loctite
