reno808

I was wondering if anyone knew how to install safety wire. I need it to be installed on my tial waste gate. I live 30 min away from Manhattan
carlos

OUNATE

12-16 twists per. inch and just make sure the wire is clockwise around the bolts. Safety wire pliers help but there about $80.00 worth the investment though if your doing a lot of it.

macnewma

First, you have to drill a hole through the head of the bolt. It will take some pretty hard bits to do this and a jig for the round allen heads. A drill press really helps as well.

Economy safety wire pliers - http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...etwisters2.php
Jig - http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...utsaftblok.php

theedge

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...ywirekits1.php

Ive got one of those. Drilling through the head of a round bolt though...

chris951

I've gone through quite a few 1/16'' bits drilling boltheads. Jigs are the shiznet for drilling the bolts. All the safety wiring I've done has been with a formula racecar, which is necessary with all the vibrations that occur without rubber in the suspension. One of the best books you can get for fasteners and safety wire is by Carroll Smith, "Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners, and Plumbing Handbook." Carroll Smith has other books that are excellent for racing, "Drive to Win", "Engineer to Win", "Tune to Win", and "Prepare to Win." Make sure that the wire is tight and that it is twisted in such a way the the bolt cannot back out counter-clockwise. Nylon lock nuts are reliable if they aren't taken on and off too much. Locktite works sometimes, but I will not trust it on a racecar, there is no guarantee that it will stay together, I've experienced instances where locktite bolts have backed out, but not with locknuts or safety wire. You can also buy AN bolts that already have the holes drilled in them, which makes sense as they are used on aircraft.

Eyal 951

there are allen heads with holes on mcmaster. I almost picked up those, but decided against safety wire. I picked up 20 SS allen bolts for my 46mm for 14 bucks, not bad since tial wants 30 for 8 bolts.
Eyal

Pauerman

The trick to safety wiring is twisting the wire tight around the hardward. The technique is easier when used with safety wire pliers. Once you start spinning the pliers, incorporate a full turn of the pliers making about a 3-4 inch diameter turn. This larger diameter turn has to be accomplished with a quick, snap type action. This will tighten the twist of the wire at the base of the fastener you're wiring.

Of course you have to sure you are making a "positive safey." Visualize and install the wire pulling the first fastener tight (clockwise), with both strands of wire measure the length the twisted run needs to be to reach the other fastener's hole. Next, twist wire adding a couple of turns of snaping action then attach the wire to the second fastener on the side that will "pull" the wire if the fastener is loosened (counterclockwise).

It can take a little practice to get your safeties tight and looking pretty, but it's not hard once you get the hang of it.

mutzman951

Pauerman...

Nice pig tails!

Folks, that is pride in craftmanship right there!

Doug

FAA A&P mechanic since 1996
F-16A & B Crew Chief 1986-'89

Pauerman

Thanks Mutz,

I've been an FAA A&P mechanic since '95.

pk951

What you have to do is retorque after a few heat cycles they will not come loose after that.

reno808

Very nice i wish u were up here so you could of done it for me. Of course i would of taken care of you.

fwb42

Pauerman, I second the quality wires.I was a foreman in a mfg.shop for nuclear equipment and saftey wiring was a skill that a lot of people just screwed up royally...Would have loved to have you there....FRED

macnewma

I don't know how many miles you have on yours, but mine has come loose a number of times. I have tried a few different solutions and I will be using safety wire soon.

Trucho-951

mcmaster's looks like a great place to pick up hardware, so many choices... do you still have the part number on the pre-drilled allen head bolts?

shiners780

Excellent information! Does anyone have a pic of safety wiring a single bolt? I would like to safety wire the lower rear shock mount, it is pre-drilled. Any information would be greatly appreciated, bonus points for pictures.

Thanks!