The subject of threaded joints is a long and interesting one. There are
several good references on the subject toat do not require a degree in
mechanical engineering. The web site referenced in your original posting
appears to be a good source. Among others are "Carroll Smith's Nuts,Bolts,
Fasteners and Plumbing Handbook" by Carroll Smith, published by Motorbooks.
The statement that split, or lock, washers don't work is true, and has been
known for a long time. They are not used among serious racers, can't be used
on aircraft, and most places where torque is critical they are not used.
Now then, they were widely used in automotive applications particularly
among the British. Even where self locking nuts are used there is very
frequently a lock washer beneath it. The fact is that your MG is seriously
over spec'd in the fastner department. Look at the number and size of
fastners on the more modern cars and you will note that there are fewer and
smaller fasteners for almost everything. Race cars are the same as are
airplanes. Each of the modern applications the bolts have been seriously
engineered to be the minimum size that is needed to do the job. Either to
reduce weight, as in airplanes and racers, or to reduce cost of building,
installation, or just fewer, smaller parts as in everything else.
The reduction in the number and size of threaded fastners has made
tightening much more important. Hence the focus on the locking washer and
its replacement by other kinds of locking devices. In a properly installed
and tightened bolt/nut the torque will be sufficient to hold the fastner in
place over its lifetime.
There is a lot more to this than my brief attempt here. Smith's book is the
bible for most of the racing community and he spends probably 100 pages
talking about this stuff and how to do it.
To get back to the original issue, The fastening systems in most of the
British cars we are discussing here are probably way over engineered,
particularly by today's standards, and using the original system of fastners
won't hurt anything, if they are properly installed. A little Loctite,
judiciously applied, can't hurt.
Mike
Michael Singleton
Sportscars Ltd
10170 Croydon Way
Suite M
Sacramento, CA 95826
(916)366-0330
mike at sportscarslimited.net
-----Original Message-----
From: mgs-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:mgs-bounces at autox.team.net] On
Behalf Of Barrie Robinson
Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2011 7:51 AM
To: mgb-v8 at autox.team.net; mgs at autox.team.net
Subject: [Mgs] Spring washers don't work !
Gentlemen,
This is rather dynamite stuff especially to those who are hard into
restoration. Can we have some expert opinions?
>http://www.boltscience.com/pages/helicalspringwashers.htm
Regards,
Barrie Robinson
barrie at look.ca
705-721-9060
MGB GT V8 in great nick
Aston Martin 1955 DB 2/4 MkII under restoration
www.britishv8.org/MG/BarrieRobinson.htm
www.britcot.com
www.AMFClub.com
_______________________________________________
Mgs at autox.team.net
Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
Suggested annual donation $12.75
Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
Unsubscribe:
http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/mgs/mike at sportscarslimited.net
|