FRONT STEERING LINKAGE

[Robert W.]

I have read the Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide for 1966 on steering linkage and question all linkage except the idler arm being painted. When I cleaned up my linkage the tie rods, adjusting sleeve and clamps show signs of black paint. The relay rod still has casting blueing on it but no signs of paint. I have owned the car for 30 years and can only suspect it was replaced prior to my purchase or it was never painted. Before I paint it has anyone else seen this?

[Joe L.]

Re: FRONT STEERING LINKAGE

Robert-----

I really believe that these steering parts were painted on a "hit-and-miss" basis during the chassis "black-out" operation. In this manner, perhaps the potions of the bottom of the components were painted, whereas the only way the top portion got painted was via "runs". The asphaltic paint that was used was not very durable and deteriorated quickly when exposed to road elements. I don't think that any of these components were actually painted "out of the bin" or prior to installation in the car.

[John H.]

Re: Steering Linkage Painting

Joe -

I spent a lot of time in St. Louis between '67 and '69 while in the Corvette Group, and they got their steering linkage as a complete assembly from Chevrolet-Buffalo, as did all other Chevrolet assembly plants. The linkage, consisting of the center relay rod, tie rods, sleeves, clamps, and ends, plus the idler arm and pitman arm, was received from Buffalo in steel bins, and was painted (poorly) at Buffalo with the infamous "chassis black" which was cheap, sticky, and never really dried. The operator who installed the linkage (and the toe-in operator in the roll test pit) both wore heavy terrycloth gloves to keep the sticky, gooey stuff off their hands, and went through several pair of gloves each shift.

John

[Brandon K.]

Re: Steering Linkage Painting

Duke, for sure.....? The idler and Pitman arms were painted too?

[Joe L.]

Re: Steering Linkage Painting

John----

Thanks for the information; with your experience it's unquestionably accurate. I hadn't previously realized that "as-delivered" chassis components other than frames were "painted" with the "asphaltic" material. I always thought that either the components were bare metal or they were painted with "real", semigloss black paint.

This is very interesting information inasmuch as it "justifies" the painting of the steering linkage components, rather than leaving them bare metal. For my judgement, I would NEVER use the asphaltic paint for a driven car. So, a semi-gloss black would be the only way to go, IF A CHASSIS component were to be painted. In this case, then, semi-gloss black would be "more correct" than leaving the components bare metal. And, I HATE RUST.

[Duke W.]

Re: Steering Linkage Painting

Can't say one way or another, Brandon. I painted mine when I restored the chassis. Like Joe says "I HATE RUST"

Duke