1966 paint coverage of steering linkage

[Gary B.]

For a ‘66, I’m trying to understand what was painted and what wasn’t, for the steering linkage, i.e., relay rod, tie rod sleeves, tie rod ends, tie rod end clamps, pitman arm, idler arm, and associated hardware. The C2 Judging Guides suggest that the answer might be different for 63-64, than for 65-67, and perhaps different during the C3 era. I’m specifically interested in ‘66. The ‘66 JG says that entire steering linkage was painted as an assembly. The DB archives indicate that the assembly was painted while being held by the large hole in the pitman arm and the upper hole in the idler arm, but certain components were not painted. In the attached exploded view of the steering linkage I’ve circled in blue the items that I believe should be free of paint. These include, five zerks, the tapered stud, threads, nuts, and cotter pins for the two outer tie rod ends. The upper, zinc-plated half of the idler arm. That leaves every other item in the exploded view receiving paint coverage, including nuts, cotter pins, relay rod rubber grease cover and retaining cage, bolts and nuts.(Except, of course, there was no paint on the internal springs, ball and socket components inside the end of the relay rod.) Have I got this right?


Thanks,


Gary
41F3D801-DB12-40E9-B86E-50F5DA32A440.jpg

[Danny P.]

Re: 1966 paint coverage of steering linkage

(Except, of course, there was no paint on the internal springs, ball and socket components inside the end of the relay rod.) Have I got this right?


Thanks,


Gary
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My understanding was the entire linkage assembly was all painted semi-gloss black as one assembly when all put together , there was no yellow marking and the grease nipple were install after the paint so no paint on the grease nipple, Idler arm was natural finish and Pitman arm was natural on power steering cars and painted on manual cars.

[Gary B.]

Re: 1966 paint coverage of steering linkage

Danny,

The basis for my not circling the lower half of the idler arm, meaning the lower half got paint, is this explanation by John Hinckley in a 2011 posting:

”When I visited Buffalo in 1967, the steering linkage was hung horizontally on the paint conveyor from two hooks - one through the pitman arm hole, and one through the idler arm upper bolt hole; the lower half of the idler arm appeared to get some paint, although I'm sure it varied.”

And a 2009 posting by John:

”the steering linkage was painted black as an assembly, and it was, including the idler arm, at Chevrolet-Buffalo. The cheap "chassis black" paint Buffalo used didn't last very long, especially if the car was driven in the rain.”

A 2012 posting by John:

“The steering linkage assembly was painted chassis black at Chevrolet-Buffalo as a completed unit while hung from both the pitman arm hole and the steeringidler bracket bolt hole, with plastic or cardboard covers on the outer tie rod end shanks. On power steering cars, the unique pitman arm was added at the car assembly plant, and it was unpainted.

The 1-5/16" hex pitman nut and lock washer were received from Saginaw Steering Gear as part of the steering gear assembly, and were unpainted.”

Finally, I think this is part of a private email from John that was included in another 2010 posting. This posting gives some wiggle room for those who don’t want to paint any part of their idler arm.

“...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 [67; added by GB] JG says it's "natural".”

The ‘66 JG also says the idler arm was natural. Likely for the same reason the ‘67 JG makes that claim.

But even if you preferred to keep the entire idler arm natural, you have to think there would be paint on the end of the ball stud,slotted not, cotter pin, plastic washer, foam seal, and rubber boot in order for the relay rod at that connection to have gotten acceptably painted.

Gary

[Richard M.]

Re: 1966 paint coverage of steering linkage

Gary, Having John's reference is very informative.

But I'm confused about some of it. Here's why. Opinions of my thoughts from the consortium welcomed, either way....

The Manual steering gearbox came with the Pitman arm attached with lock washer and nut.(see AIM) Note the 1967 AIM is missing that page. You need a 1966 AIM UPC 9 Sheet A2. Here's a scan of that page below. Note Item #4 5677641 Steering Gear Assy. AIM shows no separate part# for Pitman arm as expected.

Some manual steering gear assys were natural, some were painted. I would think a natural steering gearbox would have a natural Pitman arm, lockwasher and nut. However, I suppose that the Pitman arm could have been painted before assembly to the Manual gearboxes. Now if the gearbox was painted, then yes it makes sense that the Pitman arm was painted also as it was all together at that point.

Mysteriously, one thing I could never understand is WHY were some gearboxes unpainted? Maybe just a "SHIP IT!" thing to make the numbers.

1966 AIM UPC 9 Sheet A2
UPC9A2Steering_2x.jpg

===
N40 Power Steering did not have the Pitman attached to the gearbox and it was a separate part#(Item#3 Part# 3741383). (1967 AIM UPC N40 A3,A4 below).The Pitman arm was assembled to the box at the factory.

1967 AIM UPC N40 Sheet A3
UPC_N40_A3.jpg


1967 AIM UPC N40 Sheet A4
UPC_N40_A4.jpg

This is why I also think the N40 Pitman arm was painted as it was a separate part and on the shelves at St Louis and prone to rust.

Rich

[Alan D.]

Re: 1966 paint coverage of steering linkage

Perhaps the drawing for the N40 Pitman may help, anyone have?

[Richard M.]

Re: 1966 paint coverage of steering linkage

Perhaps the drawing for the N40 Pitman may help, anyone have?

3741383..... Ideal if we could have that Alan.

I just found this NOS listing.... Here.

Pictures for reference when the link expires. It appears painted to me as I see shiny areas where machined for gearbox and ball socket.

3791383_NOS_PitmanArm_1.jpg3791383_NOS_PitmanArm_2.jpg3791383_NOS_PitmanArm_3.jpg

[Gary B.]

[Gary B.]

Re: 1966 paint coverage of steering linkage

..The Manual steering gearbox came with the Pitman arm attached ...