Relay Rod To Pitman

[Ralph B.]

What is the original finish of the slotted nut that attaches the relay rod to the pitman arm on a non power steering car?

Thank you,
Ralph

[Edward J.]

Re: Relay Rod To Pitman

Ralph, I would bet there just plain steel - No plating,as were the cotter pins.i have a lot of original cotter pins and slotted nuts on my 63 and 72 and there just plain.

[Ralph B.]

Re: Relay Rod To Pitman

Ralph, I would bet there just plain steel - No plating,as were the cotter pins.i have a lot of original cotter pins and slotted nuts on my 63 and 72 and there just plain.

Thank you Ed!

[Joe L.]

Re: Relay Rod To Pitman

What is the original finish of the slotted nut that attaches the relay rod to the pitman arm on a non power steering car?

Thank you,
Ralph

Ralph------


The finish was "plain". That does not mean shiny metal, though. Usually, "plain" meant kind of a brownish or grayish appearance.

Most of the slotted nuts used on a 63-82 Corvette chassis were "plain" finish. Only a few were zinc plated.

[Ralph B.]

Re: Relay Rod To Pitman

Ralph------


The finish was "plain". That does not mean shiny metal, though. Usually, "plain" meant kind of a brownish or grayish appearance.

Most of the slotted nuts used on a 63-82 Corvette chassis were "plain" finish. Only a few were zinc plated.

Joe --

Can I assume that includes the tie rod and idler slotted nuts as well?

All of the ones I just received from LIC were supplied with a black oxide finish, though an easy fix to remove the coating down to shinny metal and apply gun bluing which I suspect would be closer look to what you described.

I realize the entire assembly had some kind of black asphalt type of coating on them; however I'm reluctant to do that at this point?

Thank you!

[Joe L.]

Re: Relay Rod To Pitman

Joe --

Can I assume that includes the tie rod and idler slotted nuts as well?

All of the ones I just received from LIC were supplied with a black oxide finish, though an easy fix to remove the coating down to shinny metal and apply gun bluing which I suspect would be closer look to what you described.

I realize the entire assembly had some kind of black asphalt type of coating on them; however I'm reluctant to do that at this point?

Thank you!

Ralph------


Tie rod and idler arm nuts were "plain" also. Black oxide is a somewhat shiny, deep black appearing finish. It's fairly uncommon and no original Corvette fasteners were black oxide finish. As an example of black oxide finish, most ARP fasteners are black oxide finish. However, if what you mean is black phosphate, that's different. Black phosphate is usually more of a dark gray than deep black and has a "chalky" finish. If that's what you mean, I'd leave them the way they are. I think it will be about as close as you're going to get. I don't know of any way to restore a "plain" finish fastener to its original appearance.

And, yes, the entire steering assembly was more-or-less coated with a thin asphaltic material at the point of manufacture. I would not go so far as to restore that, either. Instead, I'd paint the tie rod tubes and relay rod with a semi-flat black paint.