Help me understand the description of the �66 front stabilizer bar end hardware

[Gary B.]

In describing the end hardware for the front stabilizer bar in the ‘66 TIM&JG it says:

“The end links, associated spacers and retainers are cadmium or zinc plated and are installed with the nuts on top. A known original head mark is a hex-head WB 2C bolt, others may exist. The center tube is rolled steel and will have a visible gusset.”

I have two questions about this description. First, does “center tube” refer to the “spacers” in the first sentence? And second, what does ”gusset” refer to? The longitudinal slit in the spacers?

Gary

[Edward J.]

[Robert P.]

[Gary B.]

Gary

[Robert P.]

[Gary B.]

BACE0D76-196D-4ABB-B6D9-50D69A0AEDF9.jpg

[Mark F.]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]113045[/ATTACH]

Gary,

Here's a website that shows all manner of automotive "gussets"...

https://quartermax.com/shop-all-departments/chassis-suspension/brackets-gussets-tabs/gussets/

Your photo sure looks like a gusset (strengthening piece) to me...

PS - looks like a nice Chassis on the way to full restoration, eh?

[Gary B.]

[Stephen L.]

[Gary B.]

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[Mark F.]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]113049[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]113050[/ATTACH]

Gary,

I agree. The "slit" is not a "gusset" in any sense of the word where I know that term has been used.

From a part manufacturing standpoint, the spacers were probably made on a tube mill, which took a flat piece of steel; progressively pinched and rolled it into a continuous circular length of "slit-rolled tubing" (later called by them spacers) - cut to length as the tube came to the end of the tube mill...thousands of parts per minute puked out into a wire rack parts bin to allow the lube oil to drain off.

Perhaps(?) (of course, I don't know for sure) the term gusset was used to describe the conical-shaped cups at each end of the spacer that spread the load on the rubber bushings on top and below? Even if they were welded to the spacer, I guess some might call that a gusset of sorts - I guess if that were the case, I'd call it a flange rather than a gusset...what do you think?

[Gary B.]

?..

Perhaps(?) (of course, I don't know for sure) the term gusset was used to describe the conical-shaped cups at each end of the spacer that spread the load on the rubber bushings on top and below? Even if they were welded to the spacer, I guess some might call that a gusset of sorts - I guess if that were the case, I'd call it a flange rather than a gusset...what do you think?

[Stephen L.]

[Gary B.]

Gary, I didn't say the tube has a "gusset". I said it was a poor choice of words by the writer as a description of the slit.

We agree there.

Gary

[Mark F.]

Gary, I didn't say the tube has a "gusset". I said it was a poor choice of words by the writer as a description of the slit.

Stephen,

I'm sorry if you thought I was implying you said it was something other than a "poor choice of words"

I agree with what you are saying wholeheartedly...