Wire type and gauge for use in diff rebuilds

**WayneHall** · 10th May 2025, 07:54 PM

Hi all

Looking for some advice re the type and gauge of wire to use in my 1958 109" rear diff overhaul in terms of the wire that:

1. runs through the heads of the special bolts (part numbers 01564 and 01565) that fix the differential nose housing to the axle casing; and
2. runs between the special set bolts (part number 40742) fixing the bearing caps and through the lock tab (part number 40758)?

I can not find any reference to either wire in the parts book and a quick search of this forum turned up nothing of value, noting I searched for "diff wire".

One Youtuber referred to using welding wire (no details) for the wire referenced as number 2 above.

Thanks in advance.

Wayne

**whitehillbilly64** · 11th May 2025, 04:48 AM

I just use Galvanised tie wire that fits through the hole.
pop into bunnings with a bolt and see what they have.

whitehillbilly

**Old Farang** · 11th May 2025, 11:01 AM

I wouldn't use galvanized wire; it could react with the oil.
Stainless steel used in aircraft lock wire is available in several sizes. Either measure the diameter or roughly take a punt on it.

Malin Lockwire - Stainless Steel Safety Wire (Multiple Sizes) - MS20995C | eBay Australia

**WayneHall** · 11th May 2025, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by whitehillbilly64

I just use Galvanised tie wire that fits through the hole.
pop into bunnings with a bolt and see what they have.

whitehillbilly

Thanks whitehillbilly

**WayneHall** · 11th May 2025, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by Old Farang

I wouldn't use galvanized wire; it could react with the oil.
Stainless steel used in aircraft lock wire is available in several sizes. Either measure the diameter or roughly take a punt on it.

Malin Lockwire - Stainless Steel Safety Wire (Multiple Sizes) - MS20995C | eBay Australia

Thanks Old Farang - I'll organise some of this wire after I measure the diameter of what I currently have.

**ramblingboy42** · 12th May 2025, 02:02 PM

Lockwire is what youre after......find a tutorial on how to lockwire properly.
I'm a retired airframe fitter so it was often an everyday practise in my job
There are special lockwire pliers to use which make the lockwiring much easier to achieve

Den

**gromit** · 12th May 2025, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

There are special lockwire pliers to use which make the lockwiring much easier to achieve

Low cost versions available from Ebay.

I used Loctite & lockwire on the last diff I set up.
Loctite on it's own might be OK but the holes are in the bolts so belt & braces it was.

Colin

**WayneHall** · 12th May 2025, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

Lockwire is what youre after......find a tutorial on how to lockwire properly.
I'm a retired airframe fitter so it was often an everyday practise in my job
There are special lockwire pliers to use which make the lockwiring much easier to achieve

Den

Thanks Den - yes, I've found some Youtube tutorial videos

**WayneHall** · 12th May 2025, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by gromit

Low cost versions available from Ebay.

I used Loctite & lockwire on the last diff I set up.
Loctite on it's own might be OK but the holes are in the bolts so belt & braces it was.

Colin

Thanks Colin

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