Rear ended build thread - French locks question

[SnikPlosskin]

I’m getting ready to start reassembling my 64 rear end and will share photos of the process here for some reason.

But I have a question for those smarter than me (not Slewfoot). Are French locks required for half shaft to hub bolts? My car never had them since I’ve owned it, bolts were plenty tight. But I learned of them in the AIM.

To French lock or not?

[jw38]

You're 64 and having plastic surgery on your butt! :wow:

[SnikPlosskin]

Obligatory pic of rear end. Also, I’m only 60.

[Don Rickles]

For 5.99, the price for piece of mind, I'd say the General didn't install them for no reason....The bolts do back out, put them on, bent the tabs....:yesnod:

[GTOguy]

Install them. Or, use blue Loctite. Me personally (retired mechanic) I would install them. Rickles is right: every cotter pin and fastener on a car that was put there new was deemed necessary or it would have been left out of the build.

[Bill]

Obligatory pic of rear end. Also, I’m only 60.

^^ Thread save! :cert:

[SnikPlosskin]

I figured GM wouldn’t waste a single penny if they didn’t have to. Ordered a new set. Headed out to reinstall differential. By myself. What fun.

[GTOguy]

I figured GM wouldn’t waste a single penny if they didn’t have to. Ordered a new set. Headed out to reinstall differential. By myself. What fun.
The three of us, Me, Myself, and I, gleefully embrace heavy, greasy, punishing repairs because we know anybody else will **** it all up. Have fun.

[SnikPlosskin]

The three of us, Me, Myself, and I, gleefully embrace heavy, greasy, punishing repairs because we know anybody else will **** it all up. Have fun.

I have a rule. If it’s not done over three times it isn’t correct.

I now have blood on my AIM. But the diff, both training arms, drive shaft with all new u joints, strut rod bracket installed.

I’m fried. Now I have to do all that stuff twice more.

[TheHammer]

I’m getting ready to start reassembling my 64 rear end and will share photos of the process here for some reason.

But I have a question for those smarter than me (not Slewfoot). Are French locks required for half shaft to hub bolts? My car never had them since I’ve owned it, bolts were plenty tight. But I learned of them in the AIM.

To French lock or not?

:rofl:

[theandies]

The fun part is getting to bolts torqued without deforming the French locks. And leave it up the the French to come up with such a stupid locking device.

[Frankie the Fink]

Install them. Or, use blue Loctite. Me personally (retired mechanic) I would install them. Rickles is right: every cotter pin and fastener on a car that was put there new was deemed necessary or it would have been left out of the build.
Early 63s did NOT have French locks and, if you're going to try to install them get the stronger stainless steel versions, otherwise, when you torque the bolts to spec you will twist and distort them bigly. Even the stainless steel might twist up on you. Here are the C2 torque specs - on my 63 I got tired of distorting the French locks and used beefy lock washers and Lok Tite and quit worrying about it..

[markids77]

I have a rule. If it’s not done over three times it isn’t correct.

I now have blood on my AIM. But the diff, both training arms, drive shaft with all new u joints, strut rod bracket installed.

I’m fried. Now I have to do all that stuff twice more.

I did mine alone on the dirt under a portable carport, car up on ramps as in my avatar. Built the entire thing, sans engine/trans install right where the pic shows; I definitely feel your pain.

[Yesfam]

Install them. Or, use blue Loctite. Me personally (retired mechanic) I would install them. Rickles is right: every cotter pin and fastener on a car that was put there new was deemed necessary or it would have been left out of the build.

Parts left out cost nothing and cause few problems.

[Frankie the Fink]

I did mine alone on the dirt under a portable carport, car up on ramps as in my avatar. Built the entire thing, sans engine/trans install right where the pic shows; I definitely feel your pain.
I wouldn't have tried it without my lift, even then it was a chore:

[GTOguy]

I wouldn't have tried it without my lift, even then it was a chore:

I'll bet you're having more fun cruising around in your IRA than driving that old thing around, Frank!

:D

[PLRX]

https://s.abcnews.com/images/US/the-view2-abc-ml-220804_1659636322394_hpMain_4x3_992.jpg

[Frankie the Fink]

I'll bet you're having more fun cruising around in your IRA than driving that old thing around, Frank!

:D
Well - the sale financed my grand daughter's private education so I enjoy seeing the wonderful, blossoming adult she will no doubt become due to the "right" influences and lack of public school indoctrination.

So, there is that...

[LATB]

Well - the sale financed my grand daughter's private education so I enjoy seeing the wonderful, blossoming adult she will no doubt become due to the "right" influences and lack of public school indoctrination.

So, there is that...

:seasix::cert:

[SnikPlosskin]

I owe you guys some photos. Work resumes tomorrow. Massive storm tonight. Hoping we have a house by morning.