How to DIY safety wire 2-piece rotors

[FOXBAT]

Purchased via TByrne a four-corner Wilwood package with two-piece rotors. The instructions mentions that pairs of rotor hat bolts need to be safety wired with 32 gauge stainless steel wire.

Fine and dandy; now, how do you do this in the cramped quarters of the rear drum assembly?

Any and all wisdom on the matter, especially from those of you who have performed this task, would be greatly appreciated!

[DJWorm]

The best safety wire experts are FAA certified A&P (Aircraft & Powerplant) mechanics. They have the proper tools, wire and skills. They can also drill the bolt heads for you.

I recommend taking the parts to your local General Aviation FBO and talking to their line mechanic.

There is also only 1 right way to safety wire and a couple of wrong ways.

Here's a few priliminary articles to read:
http://www.ultralightnews.com/pilots...safetywire.htm
http://www.irvansmith.com/tech7.htm

[UstaB-GS549]

I can't remember which one right now, but one of Carrol Smith's books in the "Engineer to Win" series has info on this.

Pegasus Racing sells the pliers and wire. They might have picture in catalog or literature that comes with pliers.

[FOXBAT]

This information has been a bunch of help. Thanks to all!

[weirdpanda]

I worked for a while as an aircraft mechanic, though uncertified. But I've sefetywired hundreds of times. There are 4 major things to remember:

1: Don't overtwist the wire.
2: The wire must be VERY taught.
3: The wire must be run so that tension on it tightens the bolts.
4: When the turns begin to approach the bolt, a trianglular shape will form. Twist your wrist, moving the pliers in a circular motion, to force that shut.

It's really easy to do with practice. If it doesn't look perfect, cut it and remove it and do it again. Don't use your hands to pry a cut peice of safety wire out; just use pliers and dikes to pull it free, and take care to pick up the bits, as if you give them half a chance they'll lodge themselves in a tire. Though I've never had that problem with something as small as .0032 safety wire.

[Sabot]

I am an A/P and if you come here I will do it for ya!
First, you dont need ANY special tool to do it correctly.
Needle nose and diagonal cutters is all you need.
For automotive work it need not be pretty just functional.
If you hold the wire ends at a 90 degree angle and twist them clockwise you will do fine.
When you cut the end off bend the wire into a U so that when you stick your hands in there you will not think a cat just ripped your skin off.

Sabot