Signs of previous service?

[Michael G.]

I have a late (Dec) 71 that is very original and unmolested. I recently discovered that the right side had the French locks at shaft to spindle and the left side has no french lock but lock washers instead. There is no evidence of any chassis or suspension work ever being done since it's assembly but this could have occurred early in it's life. Is it possible that this could have happened at the factory, or is this a definite sign of some service that took place afterward?
Mike

[Jack H.]

Re: Signs of previous service?

I'd say it was a sign of prior service work. The factory would have been sure to re-install a French lock if they worked on the car in a repair pit off the assy line. French locks were used to insure higher certainty of the fastener not coming loose from shock/vibration vs. that provided by a simple lock washer...

[Joe L.]

Re: Signs of previous service?

I have a late (Dec) 71 that is very original and unmolested. I recently discovered that the right side had the French locks at shaft to spindle and the left side has no french lock but lock washers instead. There is no evidence of any chassis or suspension work ever being done since it's assembly but this could have occurred early in it's life. Is it possible that this could have happened at the factory, or is this a definite sign of some service that took place afterward?
Mike

Michael------


I'm very confident that what you found indicates that the half-shaft was previously removed from the car for service. What usually causes this situation is service work performed by individuals or shops that do not have french locks "at hand". Even many Chevrolet dealers in days-of-old probably didn't stock them (only a handful probably have them in stock now). So, if a french lock can't be re-used, lock washers are installed instead. I've seen this frequently.

As I've mentioned many times before, lock washers are fairly useless things. The french locks are a far more positive locking mechanism (assuming one turns up the tabs correctly). Locktite 242 is a LOT better than lockwashers.

[Michael G.]

Re: Signs of previous service?

Thanks guys,
I had a feeling that was the situation. I just can't seem to find what it was they were servicing. All visible items have the same accumulation of dirt and mild rust. Maybe there was a bearing failure early on. This bothers me now as I have this freaky "need to know". Thanks again, Mike

[Mike M.]

Re: Signs of previous service?

Maybe a U joint was bad.

[Jim T.]

Re: Signs of previous service?

Michael reference the side that has the lock washers, are the rivets that retain the brake disc to the axle stub still in place? A dealership/auto repair facility may not of had the correct Kent-Moore tools to remove the axle stub with the brake disc remaining rivetted to service wheel bearings.

[Michael G.]

Re: Signs of previous service?

Hey Jim,
Both sides had the rivets drilled prior to me aquiring the vehicle. Mike's mention of the u-joint is a possibility also, I just expected to see some sign of difference in the surface rust or other markings. Whatever it was must have taken place early in it's life. I'll be breaking that side down later this summer and maybe there will be some indication of what was done. Thanks for the input.
Mike

[Cecil L.]

Re: Signs of previous service?

Is that a Sunflower Yellow T-top 270hp with a/c? I bought one new in 71 and had a rear bearing failure repaired on warranty early on....can't remember which side. I think I even still have the protecto-plate somewhere.

[Michael G.]

Re: Signs of previous service?

No Cecil,
But I wish it was so I could get the proper plate for it. Original white coupe but seems to have had a similar experience in early days.
Mike