1986 Aluminum Suspension Components

[Ron Earl]

I am in the process of replacing the rear wheel hub assemblies on my 86 Vette. I would like to take advantage of the opportunity and thoroughly clean the aluminum suspension components and half shafts. They are in good shape but oxidized. Does anyone know how to restore their original appearence without compromizing their anticorrosive properties? Aditionally the manual says to inspect the Spindle seals and replace if necessary. I don't see any seals and I don't think there ever were any?

Thank's
Ron

[Joe L.]

Re: 1986 Aluminum Suspension Components

Ron------

I don't know if the aluminum suspension components were anodized, or not. Whether they were, or not, though, if yours are actually suffering from corrosion, then the anodize has deteriorated. I don't think that it's practical to have them re-anodized and, considering their important structural and safety-related functions, I don't think I'd try it, anyway. In any event, the basic "axiom" to observe in any restoration effort involving surface cleaning is to use the least aggressive "therapy" first. I think I would try a mild phosphoric acid-based treatment like Aluminum Jelly first. If that gets you where you want to go, you're done.

As far as the seals go, there were no seals used on the rear spindles for 1986. Seals were used for 1984-85, though, and that may be where the reference to it originated. "Anachronisms" are sometimes found in service manuals.

There was an o-ring seal used between the hub assembly and the knuckle for the FRONT wheels for 1986. I would say that it would be routinely replaced whenever the front hub assemblies were removed or replaced. Otherwise, I would not think that replacement would be necessary.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1986 Aluminum Suspension Components

Ron------

I don't know if the aluminum suspension components were anodized, or not. Whether they were, or not, though, if yours are actually suffering from corrosion, then the anodize has deteriorated. I don't think that it's practical to have them re-anodized and, considering their important structural and safety-related functions, I don't think I'd try it, anyway. In any event, the basic "axiom" to observe in any restoration effort involving surface cleaning is to use the least aggressive "therapy" first. I think I would try a mild phosphoric acid-based treatment like Aluminum Jelly first. If that gets you where you want to go, you're done.

As far as the seals go, there were no seals used on the rear spindles for 1986. Seals were used for 1984-85, though, and that may be where the reference to it originated. "Anachronisms" are sometimes found in service manuals.

There was an o-ring seal used between the hub assembly and the knuckle for the FRONT wheels for 1986. I would say that it would be routinely replaced whenever the front hub assemblies were removed or replaced. Otherwise, I would not think that replacement would be necessary.

[Mark #28455]

Annodizing is corrosion

Aluminum forms a very strong oxide coating that is tightly bound to the base metal. In "annodizing" the aluminum part is attached to the annode in a system like electroplating. The annode is where the material is taken from, and the cathode is where it goes to (like in chromium plating). So, annodizing IS a process like speeding up oxidation or corrosion. If you want a colored coating, the annodized aluminum coating is porus (that's why they get stained) and they basically dip it into a dye solution that soaks into the coating and colors it.

Mark

[Mark #28455]

Annodizing is corrosion

Aluminum forms a very strong oxide coating that is tightly bound to the base metal. In "annodizing" the aluminum part is attached to the annode in a system like electroplating. The annode is where the material is taken from, and the cathode is where it goes to (like in chromium plating). So, annodizing IS a process like speeding up oxidation or corrosion. If you want a colored coating, the annodized aluminum coating is porus (that's why they get stained) and they basically dip it into a dye solution that soaks into the coating and colors it.

Mark