Rear Heater Hose vs. LM Half Shaft

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A half shaft is essentially a drive axle, and it’s so named because it does half of the job, extending from a transaxle or differential to one of the wheels. Its twin on the other side completes the set.

I have seen a Late Model Corvair Half Shaft damaged by contacting and continuously rubbing a heater hose for a long period of time. The steel hose reinforcement wrap that maintains the shape of the hose cross-section can actually wear into the steel half shaft, as shown below.

LM Corvair Half Shaft Damaged by Poorly Positioned Heater Hose

Photo by: Charles Lee

LM Corvair Half Shaft Destroyed by Poorly Positioned Heater Hose

Photo by: Charles Lee

Charles Lee‎ to Corvair Society Of America
November 4 at 2:27 AM ·
Here's something new Corvair owners need to know!

I'm glad I looked underneath my latest acquisition ~ 1969 Corvair 500 ~ to see why the brakes were low!

I also noticed the heater hoses were poorly installed and dragging on the axles which as you can see, caused me a problem a few years back when this went undetected!!!
This was NOT fun when I was driving!!!!

Still working on the brakes, but as usual, one job leads to another!!!

http://www.corvair.com/user-cgi/catalog ... w_page=101
The original black style hoses were stiff wire wrapped with neoprene impregnated fabric. A suspended hose support ring like the one sold by Clark's Corvair Parts will help to control the position of the hose and keep it out of harm's way...


Part number C837R: 65-69 HEATER HOSE STRAP *2 NEEDED

Weight: 0 lbs 5 oz
Catalog Page(s): 101
Price: $ 14.70

See page 11 of the attached 1965 Corvair Assembly Manual - HEATER CONTROLS AND DUCTS...