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Discussion Topic:
Safety wire question
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oatycorb |
11-04-2020 @ 3:30 PM
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Member
Posts: 59
Joined: Oct 2020
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After checking my old Ford parts book and looking at exploded diagrams on Mac Van Pelt's website it appears that those 6 bolts securing the rear bearing retainer to the trans case are indeed supposed to have lock washers, they are part #34807-S2. So no worries there. On the clamsh*ll assembly that secures the torque tube to the back of the trans I snugged the bolts down REALLY tight and secured them with cotter pins, I figured these bolts would be subject to some amount of stress. And after all this safety wire discussion it turns out that what I had wired my main cap nuts with was not proper safety wire. I have an industrial supply warehouse near me that serves 3 local airports and picked up a roll of .051" stainless steel lock wire today, so I'll rewire the main cap nuts with this just for piece of mind if nothing else. And again thanks to all of you who took the time to offer advice, I hugely appreciate it.
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agriffey |
11-04-2020 @ 1:10 PM
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Member
Posts: 28
Joined: Sep 2015
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Actually I have had those bolts come loose that hold the closed driveshaft tube to the rear of the transmission, in fact yeasterday when I had the floor board out of a ‘46 Mercury I noticed one of the bottom bolts is missing. That area gets a lot of jerking so I sure would wire them.
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agriffey |
11-04-2020 @ 1:03 PM
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Member
Posts: 28
Joined: Sep 2015
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Oh my .......I must take time off today to put new studs and lug bolts in the wheels of my cars so I can safety wire them. I sure wouldn’t want a wheel to fall off!
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oatycorb |
11-04-2020 @ 10:08 AM
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Member
Posts: 59
Joined: Oct 2020
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There were old original looking lock washers on the 6 rear mount bolts when I took it apart so I just assumed they're supposed to be there. The shift tower is already bolted on and sealed but I might pull it back off just to check this, thanks for the advice.
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3w2 |
11-03-2020 @ 9:46 AM
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Senior
Posts: 843
Joined: Oct 2009
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You may have erred by using lock washers on the six bolts that thread into the transmission case. Assuming that you used the original bolts look inside the transmission case and see if the threaded ends of your bolts end about flush with the inside surface of the transmission case. If they are not flush but recessed back in the case then the bolts that you have were not intended to be used with lock washers and obviously the safety wire through the holes in the heads takes on a much higher priority. You also have a less secure attachment as fewer threads are seated than was the design intent.
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1931 Flamingo |
11-03-2020 @ 6:17 AM
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Member
Posts: 388
Joined: Nov 2019
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Personally I wouldn't worry about which wire to use, torque the bolts, wire doesn't even need to be twisted as long as it's putting a "tighten" pull on the bolt. JMO Paul in CT former PWA engine mechanic, PWA overhaul shop
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oatycorb |
11-03-2020 @ 4:11 AM
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Member
Posts: 59
Joined: Oct 2020
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Thanks Barney, I'll do the bending test today, I tend to think it is safety wire that I have but if it isn't I'll just buy some and rewire the nuts again. And thanks again to everyone who offered advice, it's appreciated more than you know.
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Barney |
11-02-2020 @ 5:25 PM
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New Member
Posts: 107
Joined: Nov 2015
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Hi RAK, If you're not sure what it is, and can't determine by it's looks, perform this basic test: By bending mechanics' wire back and forth a few times, you'll find it'll break as most metals will. But attempting to break (aircraft) safety wire will require much more effort, maybe even several minutes to break it. I'm guessing you may even quit the task before you're successful. Barney
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Jacques1960 |
11-02-2020 @ 2:51 PM
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Member
Posts: 201
Joined: Aug 2020
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Safety wire is always stainless steel, used, for example, on aircraft nuts and for marine applications, like mousing shackles. Mechanics wire is plain steel, malleable and typically greased to prevent rust.
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oatycorb |
11-02-2020 @ 2:09 PM
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Member
Posts: 59
Joined: Oct 2020
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I wired the main cap nuts this afternoon using the wire that I have. Incidentally, I don't know that it's not safety wire that I have. I've had it for over 30 years and it's pretty heavy duty stuff, can't even remember where it came from. Twisted all the strands down nice and tight, I'm inclined to consider the job finished. Out of curiosity tho, what's the difference between "safety wire" and "mechanic's wire"?
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