[Healeys] Keeping rear shock bolts tight

[J. Armour]

Michael has a valid point. The alloy in the shock body is relatively soft
and a small contact area under the bolt head or spring washer is
counterproductive. A larger and close fitting washer to provide a broader
contact area is an improvement.
If you look up engineering manuals on the three types of design joints (
1.snug, 2.? Cant remember,3. high strength friction grip )with bolts you
find that importance is paid to having the mating surfaces flat and parallel
to each other and clean. ( trust me don¹t assume they are, check)
Preferred tightening method in engineering is tighten the bolt snug (
lightly tight and without clearance between the mating surfaces including
washers and then tighten the nut a set degree to ensure the bolt has been
stretched.(Torque is a general indicator of bolt stretch but friction,
mis-alignment and soft commercial washers etc can make torque readings very
mis-leading.)  This is where to issue of 'soft' alloy bodies raise their
head and thus the bigger hard washer surface area requirement .

Joe

Subject:  Re: [Healeys] Keeping rear shock bolts tight

Probably more work than most people would want to undertake but, because for
competition work I found that washers eventually dig into the ears, I cut a
"washer" the same shape as the shock "ear" out of 3/16" steel plate and then
put the bolt through it and tacked the head of the bolt to my "washer".
This method has the added advantage that you don't need to hold the bolt
head while tightening the nut.

Michael S
BN1 #174

On Sun, Jan 3, 2016 at 7:08 PM, Bruce Steele <healeybruce at roadrunner.com>
wrote:
> Seeking ideas on how to keep the rear shock mount bolts tight.  They work
> loose every 1,500 to 2,000 miles, and tightening them is routine with my
> annual maintenance.  I currently have grade 8 bolts, nuts and split washers.
> Grade 5 bolts, nuts, and split washers were no worse (or better) than the
> grade 8.  Tried Nord-Lock washers 2 years ago after someone posted about them
> on this list.  They loosened more quickly than split washers.  Tried thread
> locker and nylocks as well, neither of which were better than split washers.
>  
> Anyone have a method that actually keeps the hardware tight?
>  
> Bruce Steele
> Brea, CA
> 1960 BN7
>  



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