67-C2 Steering Linkage paint

[Stephen L.]

I'm confused. I'm trying to paint my steering linkage.
The 67 TIMJG 4th edition (page 134) under KNUCKLES..... states the "steering knuckle" is part of the spindle/strut and is natural finish. That is correct.

On page 135 under STEERING LINKAGE... the "steering linkage is painted semi-gloss black as an assembly"
It goes on to say "Steering Knuckles" are natural with clean machined surfaces.
Are these "knuckles" really tie-rod ends (which are not mentioned in that paragraph) on the wheel to wheel linkage assy and, if they are, how can the linkage be painted "as an Assembly" because you need the tie-rod ends to assemble the linkage.

To further complicate this, the picture of the undercarriage of a 67 on page 387 of Nolan Adams tech manual, shows the tie-rod ends appear to be painted.
I have looked at various 67 restored linkages and the tie -rod ends are natural.

Common sense (to me) would be that during assy the tie-rod ends would NOT be painted so that the threads are not painted to facilitate assy and adjustment of the toe-in during final inspection and therefore the tie-rod ends would be natural.

Soooooo which is correct? Painted tie-rod ends or natural finish?

[John H.]

Re: 67-C2 Steering Linkage paint

Steve -

The "knuckles" are the spindles - the forgings that attach to the ball joints at the top and bottom and contain the wheel spindle. Chevrolet-Buffalo painted the complete steering linkage assembly (including the relay rod, steering idler arm, inner and outer tie rod ends, adjusting sleeves, and clamps, and pitman arm on manual steering assemblies) with a sticky, cheap "chassis black" paint that took forever to dry before they folded it up and tossed it in a big green steel shipping gondola. It was hung on a conveyor from the top hole in the steering idler, and the steering idler didn't always get coverage, which is why the JG says it's "natural". The guy who pre-set the tie rod lengths in the bench fixture before it went on the car, the guy who installed it on the car, and the guy in the toe-in pit who did the final adjustment and tightened the clamps all went through several pair of heavy terrycloth gloves during a shift, as the sticky "chassis black" paint soaked the gloves in short order and left stains on your skin that were nearly impossible to wash off. The "good old days"...

[Stephen L.]

Re: 67-C2 Steering Linkage paint

Thanks John. The TIMJG should not mention the "knuckles" in the paragraph concerning the linkage BUT should mention the tie-rod ends. Evidently there are other restorers who got confused on this issue as many have natural tie-rod ends on their restored chassis.

[John H.]

Re: 67-C2 Steering Linkage paint

Steve -

The knuckles are covered on the previous page as part of the front suspension and brake section, and are probably mentioned again in the steering section since they're moved by the steering linkage and are thus part of the steering "system". The "steering linkage" includes everything from the pitman arm to the tie rod ends.