I have a question about how the pinion bearing housing connects to the differential housing. Chaffin's carries TWO set-ups for doing this. One is simply a set of long bolts. The other is a set of studs with castle nuts that are locked in place with bailing wire. The price difference is really big -- $51.60 for the stud/castle nut system vs. $19.50 for the bolts.
I just recently got a Ruckstell Kit and it has the bolts rather than the studs/castle nuts system.
I am thinking it would bet better to bite the bullet and get the more expensive stud/castle nut system and use that as opposed to the bolts.
What do you guys think?
Its an early versus late thing. I think if you have an open pinion bearing spool (about 1922 - later) then you should have bolts.
Earlier cars with closed spools should have studs and castle nuts. Neither is superior to the other once assembled and safety wired.
Yea, but you cannot easily use a safety wire on the bolts -- unless you drill completely through the bolt head. With my little hand DeWalt, that would be a pretty daunting task. I guess what I will do is just put a lock washer under them and say my prayers every night...
Jon
Lock washers do a better job of keeping them completely tight than castle nuts and wire do. The lock washers do not allow them to come unscrewed at all. The castle nut/wire combo will loosen the stud end until the wire stops it from turning. But it will still be loose. IMHO, the best thing safety wire does on a T is keep you from losing the bolt. It doesn't keep it from coming loose.
Aircraft safety wiring is a different deal.
You failed to mention the year of your car, which is important. If you have a pre '22 car, then by all means use the studs and safety wire. However if you are using the bolts, then use lock washers. There is a metric size that works, but I don't recall what that is. Also, there are two different head sizes on those bolts. The earlier ones are 5/8", and the later ones are 9/16". I prefer the 9/16", because they are easier to get a wrench on.