VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 lock washer caution

when i reworked the differential in my 32 i thought i did it right. during a tour the rear end locked up then i heard a loud ping and it freed up. opening it, i discovered a piece of lockwasher in the bottom. one had broken, the piece came out and got between the ring and pinion. later i read that old locks should be replaced. there is the swaged imprint of that piece on the ring gear. 75 year old locks should be replaced.

Thanks for posting that tip.

I would not have thought that but it does make sense.

I will keep that in mind.

Quality lock washers have a chisel edged tip at both high ends. They are only designed to be used once. Never reuse a lock washer. Look at the ones you are buying. Most of the grade 2 cadmium plated ones (plain head bolts) don't have much of an edge at all. Even with cheap nuts and bolts, I try to use higher grade lock washers.

thanks for the info. i never knew that much about lock washers.