How to safety wire correctly??

[adavis]

So I finally got my flywheel housing shimmed to within .005 and am ready to safety wire the bolts. I thought "nothing to it", but then actually tried it last night and found it way more complicated than I was envisioning. I've searched for a thread explaining the correct way to safety wire bolts but didn't really come up with anything but a picture (mine looks really crappy compared to said picture). Anyone have some tips/instructions? Do I need a pair of them fancy safety wire pliers I used to see bins of at the Boeing surplus in Renton (I knew I should have bought a pair)? I'm using stainless lashing wire (used for telephone cable spans).
Thanks.

[JBill]

There is a special wire for this purpose, available at most auto parts stores. Isn't stainless wire a little stiff and springy? I recall seeing a photograph of safety wiring of the the torque tube to the differential, and I'm pretty sure it was on this board somewhere. That's not the part you're wiring, but I think the principles are the same.

[Bob C]

There is a good picture in this link https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...ht=safety+wire

Bob

[Rowdy]

Here is a good link. Not the way Ford did it, but still a good practice. You do not have to have safety wire pliers to achieve these results, when working on aircraft several years ago I never owned a pair and did it all by hand. The pliers just make it faster. Rod

http://www.avweb.com/news/maint/191176-1.html

[CarlG]

Here's a good tutorial:

[adavis]

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Thanks everyone.....especially CarlG. That pdf is EXACTLY what I was hoping to find.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by adavis

So I finally got my flywheel housing shimmed to within .05 and am ready to safety wire the bolts. I thought "nothing to it", but then actually tried it last night and found it way more complicated than I was envisioning. I've searched for a thread explaining the correct way to safety wire bolts but didn't really come up with anything but a picture (mine looks really crappy compared to said picture). Anyone have some tips/instructions? Do I need a pair of them fancy safety wire pliers I used to see bins of at the Boeing surplus in Renton (I knew I should have bought a pair)? I'm using stainless lashing wire (used for telephone cable spans).
Thanks.

Do you have the decimal point in the wrong place there?? Fifty thousanths
(.05) is not very close. Five thousanths (.005) would be much better.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Pete

Do you have the decimal point in the wrong place there?? Fifty thousanths
(.05) is not very close. Five thousanths (.005) would be much better.

The decimal point is in the right place........it's the 5 that's out of place. LOL

[columbiA]

I use Tie Wire that is used in concrete forms.It is a soft iron wire that is perfect for safety wire.

[V4F]

when in the military we used s/s wire & basically like this pic . they make a plier that twist,s the wire .

[1crosscut]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwFjUX6SaY8

Excellent video on safety wire.

[CarlG]

The pliers:

[Not George]

Also, do a reversed "S" from bolt to bolt with your wire. IF one starts to loosen, it tightens the next one.
I would also try to get the twist closer to the second bolt hole than V4F did.
No offense V4F.

[KMeredith87]

m a jet engine mechanic in the air force and safety wire daily and also have to inspect others work. Best thing to do if safety wiring by hand is to ensure you have constant tension on the wire as you twist it. When using .032 wire we recommend 6-10 twist per inch to ensure you do not over tighten the wire and thus lose its integrity. Ensure you make you wire going from one bolt to the next in a constant tightening direction. (Pulling the bolt right) and for best results make sure ou twist start and end at the holes of the bolts. Best luck with it, it just takes time and practice to get right. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.

[KMeredith87]

Couldn't find you a good example since I'm not in the hangar right now so will have to work. Note in this picture how the wire keeps tension on the bolts. Also the wire will wrap around the head of the bolt when done correctly and the pigtail ends at the hole. If you see a keep pair of wire pliers around pick them up, it makes this much easier and they are actually great pliers to pull cotter pins and suchh

[Brentwood Bob]

wire is sold at harbor freight. Bob