A complete Corvette is really getting hard to locate, so be careful. How do you know when it comes to the steering you have all the correct parts? Well one area you should check, is to see that you got the right idler arm bracket . Soooooooo!
1. If the steering is hard
2. If the drag link is rubbing on the lower radiator surround .
I wonted you to know that there are three different idler arm brackets for the C1's.
53-55 #3706024 was forged on the side in depressed numbers.
56-57 #3727511 this number was forged on the side in raised characters.
58-62 #3742688 the number was also forged on the side in raised characters.
#3742688 or #3742888 and letters "TMS" is available as a reproduction.
The big difference is the thickness of the rear flange ( see pic) The two early 53 to 57 has a thinner flange ( about 5/8 ) were the later flange is about (one inch ).
So think ? if you use the repro (one inch thick ) for your early vett??????
There was also a variation in the (arm assembly ).So Because the rear flange is thick or thin that would change the whole angle of the tie rod and steering. The brackets and arm are matched so (early parts cannot be mixed with later parts) and still function properly.
So where are we = a mixing of parts can stress the bracket and adding a quick steering adapter can add to it. I know its easy to jack your Corvette up under the bracket too. That is the reason I'm writing this Trivia so that you can look to see if your parts are correct and CHECK for CRACKS at the bracket. If it ever broke you would have no steering.
I wrote so many Articles years ago that I just think its time to rewrite them again in this forum now and then to help people understand thier Corvette.
1. If the steering is hard
2. If the drag link is rubbing on the lower radiator surround .
I wonted you to know that there are three different idler arm brackets for the C1's.
53-55 #3706024 was forged on the side in depressed numbers.
56-57 #3727511 this number was forged on the side in raised characters.
58-62 #3742688 the number was also forged on the side in raised characters.
#3742688 or #3742888 and letters "TMS" is available as a reproduction.
The big difference is the thickness of the rear flange ( see pic) The two early 53 to 57 has a thinner flange ( about 5/8 ) were the later flange is about (one inch ).
So think ? if you use the repro (one inch thick ) for your early vett??????
There was also a variation in the (arm assembly ).So Because the rear flange is thick or thin that would change the whole angle of the tie rod and steering. The brackets and arm are matched so (early parts cannot be mixed with later parts) and still function properly.
So where are we = a mixing of parts can stress the bracket and adding a quick steering adapter can add to it. I know its easy to jack your Corvette up under the bracket too. That is the reason I'm writing this Trivia so that you can look to see if your parts are correct and CHECK for CRACKS at the bracket. If it ever broke you would have no steering.
I wrote so many Articles years ago that I just think its time to rewrite them again in this forum now and then to help people understand thier Corvette.
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