Larry, the reason the bolts ended up shearing was do to the fact that only 2 were holding it on and judging by the bolt lengths that I pulled out both of those were about half way out!!!
Joe

Nope, thankfully no other damage other than my pride when it broke down !!
Joe

I wuz gunna say that the bolts had to have been loose to do that. I hate it when that happens.....
And, btw...they're called "French locks", not nuts, and they do keep the nuts from backing off...as long as they are tight to begin with. They're also used on the exhaust manifold bolts, for the same reason.
Yer dang lucky nuttin else wuz damaged, Joe. Usually when the halfshaft comes loose, and flops around, it takes the floor of the storage compartment out. I've fixed many cars with that kind of damage. At least it was only yer pride that wuz hurt....it would really suk to have done major damage under there, after all the hard work you've put into that car! 



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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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Wow Joe, talk about embarrassing, but as others said - could have hurt a lot more than your pride.  Timely info for me since I have the whole rear suspension out of the car!  However I looked into those "french nuts"  (sorry nuts sounds better than locks) and my car does use them cause it has the "heavy duty" shaft attchements.  Do these have an equivalent lock or should I just use lock-tite or perhaps Stage 8 makes a product?

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Mario

ALL half shaft outer flanges came with the French Locks on them from the factory...
Lock-tite is otay to use on the bolts/nuts, if ya want....just don't use too much....."a widdle dab'l do ya!"


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Was away the last few days.
Yes I was lucky there was no other damage.
Adam, yup you are right, they are locks not nuts. Must have read it wrong :-)
I got the French locks the other day and will be putting them on tomorrow.
Get the Beast back on the road !!!!
Cant wait.
Joe

What about the inboard side connecting to the diff yokes?  I went out and bought the french nuts....er locks and they come in a set of four.  Do all four go on the outboard flange two per side, or do two go on the inboard side.  Not sure if there is clearance, havent looked yet!  Thanks.

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Mario

The french locks are ONLY on the outer flanges, where the shaft bolts to the flange on the spindle/hub. You use two on each side of the car.
The inner end of the shaft has either bolts/caps, or u-bolts/nuts.





|UPDATED|5/22/2013 9:49:55 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Joel Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Joe,

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1973 BB 4-Speed Coupe Project Car

Thanks Joel, but I can't help wondering, wouldn't one want similar protection on the inboard side?  If the half shafts came loose form the diff it would be equally catastrophic (however you spell it!)!

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Mario

That's true, fer sher! The inner joint doesn't have the rotating mass that the outer flange does, nor does it move up/down as the outer flange does. I would assume that has something to do with the inclusion of the french locks only on the flange ends. Heat from the brakes may also play into it, but I'm just guessin there...

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"