Steering Linkage Assembly

[Ralph B.]

When the steering linkage assembly was painted black prior to installation, were the the zerks and cotter pins included, or were they added later?

Thank you,
Ralph

[Terry M.]

Re: Steering Linkage Assembly

When the steering linkage assembly was painted black prior to installation, were the the zerks and cotter pins included, or were they added later?

Thank you,
Ralph

Ralph,
John Hinckley has repeatedly stated that the steering linkage was coated (I hate to use the word paint because the product they used has little resemblance to what is paint now days) at Saginaw-Buffalo. If you check your copy of the 1966 AIM I believe (and please check me because what I know about mid-years would fit in a very small container) you will find part numbers for the Zerk fittings, and I know you will find part numbers for the cotter pins for the tie rod ends -- I am less sure of the center tie rod cotters. If you find a part number in the AIM, that part was installed at St Louis; and that works for C1, C2s & C3s. It would also work for C4s if they had AIMS, but they do not and that is whole other story entirely.

[Ralph B.]

Re: Steering Linkage Assembly

Terry,

That makes sense and answeres my question perfectly -------------- thank you!

I did notice that it actually received a aspahlt coating and not a paint; however, as much as I strive for accuracy using that stuff would be a bit of a push, so I will stick with chassis black paint!!

Thank you again,
Ralph

[Terry M.]

Re: Steering Linkage Assembly

Yep -- asphalt coating is the stuff.

John Hinckley once posted about the number of gloves the toe alignment guys went through in the pit because of that stuff.

[Joe L.]

Re: Steering Linkage Assembly

Ralph,
John Hinckley has repeatedly stated that the steering linkage was coated (I hate to use the word paint because the product they used has little resemblance to what is paint now days) at Saginaw-Buffalo. If you check your copy of the 1966 AIM I believe (and please check me because what I know about mid-years would fit in a very small container) you will find part numbers for the Zerk fittings, and I know you will find part numbers for the cotter pins for the tie rod ends -- I am less sure of the center tie rod cotters. If you find a part number in the AIM, that part was installed at St Louis; and that works for C1, C2s & C3s. It would also work for C4s if they had AIMS, but they do not and that is whole other story entirely.

Terry-----


Paints dry by polymerization. The coating used on the steering linkage dried by simple evaporation of the solvent.

[Terry M.]

Re: Steering Linkage Assembly

Terry-----


Paints dry by polymerization. The coating used on the steering linkage dried by simple evaporation of the solvent.

And apparently it had not all evaporated by the time the car went through the alignment station.
I once prepared a 1971 for PV -- probably about 1990 -- and that steering linkage coating was still not dry. Nasty stuff it was.

[Joe L.]

Re: Steering Linkage Assembly

And apparently it had not all evaporated by the time the car went through the alignment station.
I once prepared a 1971 for PV -- probably about 1990 -- and that steering linkage coating was still not dry. Nasty stuff it was.

Terry-----

The asphaltic coating can remain somewhat sticky even after the solvent is evaporated.