TA bolt stack-up star washer

[Steve L.]

When I disassembled my TA's, I bagged what was left of my TA pivot bolt. In the back was a 7/16 split lock washer.

The AIM picture('73) shows an external tooth star washer. Also Dr. Rebuilt shows this as well.

Anyone know which is correct?

Many years ago I had Mr Goodwrench replace my strut rod, so he may have been at this TA. He didn't have the shims in stock so he just wedged a home made steel wedge between the existing shims. I have no idea why he would even have had to touch this area.

[Alan S.]

Re: TA bolt stack-up star washer

Hi Steve,
From the notes I made when I took apart my 71 I can report a split lock washer on both trailing arms.
The 71 AIM shows what appears to be an external tooth star washer.
The bolts hadn't ever been loosened before I took them off.
Regards,
Alan

[Terry M.]

Re: TA bolt stack-up star washer

When I disassembled my TA's, I bagged what was left of my TA pivot bolt. In the back was a 7/16 split lock washer.

The AIM picture('73) shows an external tooth star washer. Also Dr. Rebuilt shows this as well.

Anyone know which is correct?

Many years ago I had Mr Goodwrench replace my strut rod, so he may have been at this TA. He didn't have the shims in stock so he just wedged a home made steel wedge between the existing shims. I have no idea why he would even have had to touch this area.

We often get this issue. There are a number of things in the AIM that one can not trust. The illustrations of fasteners, clamps, and washers are foremost among them -- right there with the dates of changes.

Remember these drawings were intended to aid the line workers. They assembled the car with the material they were supplied, and if they checked at all it was the part number that guided them. The fact they might have been supplied with a split lock washer instead of a pictured star washer would have not made a ripple in the pond.

Nor would the fact they were supplied with a worm clamp rather than a tower clamp, or a hex head screw rather than a cross recess screw. The latter might have made a ripple if there was no hex driver at hand, but so long as the had a tool to install the part it went on and the next car was addressed.

[Steve L.]

Re: TA bolt stack-up star washer

Thanks for your help. The star washer just doesn't look right in this application. I wonder why Dr rebuilt has a star washer here. Other vendors don't supply lock washers at all.