3820186 Front Diff Bracket

[Jeff Z.]

Thanks
Jeff

[Timothy B.]

Re: 3820186 Front Diff Bracket

Jeff,

If you have a 1963 AIM I believe it's shown in the parking brake section complete with the hole diameters etc. Definately don't want to get this cable near the spinning driveshaft yoke.

[Erich C.]

Re: 3820186 Front Diff Bracket

I just checked my leftover parts box. Is this the bracket you are talking about with the two small holes on top? This was on my brothers '63 that he had back around '78. If I remember correctly he changed it because of a "clunking noise". The front holes are elongated and I assume that is why the newer ones have the reinforcement around the hole. 100_4956.jpg

[Jeff Z.]

Re: 3820186 Front Diff Bracket

Hi Erich,



Thanks
Jeff

[Joe L.]

Re: 3820186 Front Diff Bracket

Hi Erich,



Thanks
Jeff

Jeff------


Something to keep in mind: there were three "iterations" of this bracket. The first was the 1963-E1965 bracket, GM #3820186. This bracket has no reinforcements for the cross holes. The second was the L1965-68 GM #3868799. The latter also replaced the 3820186 for SERVICE. This bracket has a washer welded to each side as a reinforcement for one of the cross-holes. The last bracket was GM #3921657 which was used from 1968 to 1979. This bracket has thick steel plates welded to each side and the cross holes are drilled through these plates which act as substantial reinforcements.

GM did not make the changes to this bracket because the first version, GM #3820186, worked just as well. The fact is that the 3820186 and, even, the improved 3868799 are subject to cross hole elongation in service. Once the cross holes are elongated, the bracket is, essentially, scrap.

If one wanted 100% originality in a car that was rarely driven or a "trailer queen", an original type bracket, elongated holes or not, might be the way to go. However, for a driven car, I would always recommend the use of the 3921657, "correct" or not.