The Ford Barn

35cab · 09-26-2011, 05:04 PM

Putting thr rear axle together again,I am replacing gaskets which had tried to escape after the bolts loosend. After my previous posts I was advised that there were no lockwashers on the axle bell to diff set screws as they were shouldered so as to fit properly.
I am using loctite and have been trying to find torque settings, nothing specifically for these bolts on any Ford literature I have, after internet trawling for torque settings for SAE 3/8 24 tpi it varies between 18 and 28 lbs. I do not want to get this wrong and risk the same thing happening again.
Does anyone have any Ford spec for these?
Thanks in advance, Gordon

rotorwrench · 09-26-2011, 06:54 PM

Ford didn't make any torque specs in that time frame unless it was special torque specific for the applicable assembly and that was in damn few places on the car and mostly in the assembly of critical engine parts. Those specs you have should be fine. The specs I have are less than that but not by enough to make any difference on the tension type installations. Shear type installations are even less than that. The ring & pinion do a good bit of trying to force each other apart so tension would be the spec there.

My aircraft fastener book states 13 to 18 Ft/Lbs for 3/8-24 tension fasteners with a max torque of 32.5 Ft/Lbs. They're actually given in inch/pounds but I convert them by dividing the figure by 12. Those old Ford bolts were pretty stout and can likely even take more that those specs but I wouldn't recommend it for safety sake. I hate using easy outs since there is nothing easy about them.

Kerby

jerry grayson · 09-27-2011, 10:04 AM

Are you using the original differential bolts, and did you clean the threads in the housing with a "tap"? If the housing threads have not been "tapped" and you are using original bolts, they will not loosen. Torque value is not an issue here.

35cab · 09-27-2011, 02:59 PM

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Thanks for the input Kerby and Jerry,
I have not cleaned threads with a tap, but of course I do not know what has happened to it in the past, it is a columbia that has been professionally rebuilt. I am using original bolts.
I will re assemble torque them all to the same possibly 25lbs, use loctite and just keep checking them.
Thanks again,
Gordon.

09-26-2011, 05:04 PM	#1
35cab Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 125	Torque settings on differential bolts. Putting thr rear axle together again,I am replacing gaskets which had tried to escape after the bolts loosend. After my previous posts I was advised that there were no lockwashers on the axle bell to diff set screws as they were shouldered so as to fit properly. I am using loctite and have been trying to find torque settings, nothing specifically for these bolts on any Ford literature I have, after internet trawling for torque settings for SAE 3/8 24 tpi it varies between 18 and 28 lbs. I do not want to get this wrong and risk the same thing happening again. Does anyone have any Ford spec for these? Thanks in advance, Gordon

09-26-2011, 06:54 PM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,431	Re: Torque settings on differential bolts. Ford didn't make any torque specs in that time frame unless it was special torque specific for the applicable assembly and that was in damn few places on the car and mostly in the assembly of critical engine parts. Those specs you have should be fine. The specs I have are less than that but not by enough to make any difference on the tension type installations. Shear type installations are even less than that. The ring & pinion do a good bit of trying to force each other apart so tension would be the spec there. My aircraft fastener book states 13 to 18 Ft/Lbs for 3/8-24 tension fasteners with a max torque of 32.5 Ft/Lbs. They're actually given in inch/pounds but I convert them by dividing the figure by 12. Those old Ford bolts were pretty stout and can likely even take more that those specs but I wouldn't recommend it for safety sake. I hate using easy outs since there is nothing easy about them. Kerby

09-27-2011, 10:04 AM	#3
jerry grayson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Atlanta area Posts: 833	Re: Torque settings on differential bolts. Are you using the original differential bolts, and did you clean the threads in the housing with a "tap"? If the housing threads have not been "tapped" and you are using original bolts, they will not loosen. Torque value is not an issue here.

09-27-2011, 02:59 PM	#4
35cab Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 125	Re: Torque settings on differential bolts. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for the input Kerby and Jerry, I have not cleaned threads with a tap, but of course I do not know what has happened to it in the past, it is a columbia that has been professionally rebuilt. I am using original bolts. I will re assemble torque them all to the same possibly 25lbs, use loctite and just keep checking them. Thanks again, Gordon.