2 replies to this topic

[Nu2mini]

Thought this might be a useful subject to discuss.

Whilst rebuilding a clutch slave cylinder this weekend I came to refix the slave cylinder bracket to the bell housing. I've always reused everything and so refitted the the split washers. These I believe had not been touched since the car was built in 93. The old split washers were completely 'mashed flat', but as usual I thought little of it. Then today on reflection I thought that can't be right. So I did a little digging on the net and to my surprise discovered they don't make a jot of difference. In actual fact one article says they do the exact opposite of what they are supposed to do. Would anyone like to comment on the following article.

Vibration loosening of bolts


Also in order to prime the discussion I post the following link to another forum on this subject where there's nearly unanimous agreement that they DO NOT WORK .

Eng-Tips forum post on split washer

Can those qualified engineers amongst us please give some guidance to us enthusiastic amatures on this subject.

Oh I was very interested to read one post on the other forum from a restorer of Classic Italian cars that he only uses split or lock washers to maintain the original appearence of the vehicle.

[pikey7]

such clever engineers using loctite...

shame it reduces the torque needed.

split washers are mostly used where there are no specified torque values... low risk areas basically. I agree with the point where if they are critical then they should have a properly designed and tested torque and stretch, but on 90% of applications, it's pointless.

they sound like a bunch of overenthusiastic amateurs who've read the engineering handbook front to back and not understood a word of it.

Edited by pikey7, 18 October 2010 - 05:13 PM.

[samsfern]

i use nyloc nuts with spring washers for most things on mine, i never reuse spring washers or nyloc nuts. Id like to see someone try and find a bolt on mine that hasnt got a springwasher on it.