I think I know, but I want to be sure. Taking parts out of rear axles, I've found some ring gears with the bolts wired in pairs and others with one continuous wire all the way around. Which way did they come from the factory?
I don't know but, my seemingly undisturbed and babbit equipped rear was wired in pairs with heavy wire.
Steve - My seemingly undisturbed and babbit equipped rear was wired with a single continuous wire. (sorry, not a great photo)
My understanding of the purpose of safety wire is to keep a bolt in place in case it were to become loose. That said, I'm not sure if either method would be better than the other.
Not sure how it was one originally.
Pair wiring shown in the Service Manual (c. 1924)
If it comes down to a vote, I vote to do them in pairs, that way if a wire breaks, it only puts two bolts at risk instead of the whole lot.
Is it just me, but aren't most of those wires in the service manual picture that Dan posted backward? From here it sure looks like they would allow the bolts to loosen somewhat before they would stop them. That sure isn't the way that I was taught in the Army. Dave