63 Tie Rod Adjusting Tubes

[Stephen G.]

I believe that the correct 63 tie rod adjusting tubes had a groove (or notch or slot) cut into the left-hand threaded end. Can anyone confirm? If so does anyone have a picture or enough info so that I might cut such a slot into my replacement units?

Also was the left-hand side outboard or inboard?

Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 Tie Rod Adjusting Tubes

Stephen-----

I've heard several stories on this feature, but I've never confirmed it. Some say that the left hand thread end of the sleeve ("tube") had an annular groove about 1" from the end of the sleeve. Others say that the left hand threaded end had a pronounced bevel on that end.

I can tell you this: the sleeves have been available under the same part number since 1963 and that part number is GM #3826816. All of the NOS sleeves that I have in my collection, and I have quite a few [none for sale] which have been manufactured at different times over, at least, the past 25 years, have the pronounced bevel on the left hand threaded end and NO annular groove. Of course, even though the part number has not changed over the years, it's possible that this feature did change as a result of a change to the specs somewhere along the line.

In any event, it would seem to me that, at least with respect to the annular groove configuration, it would be more-or-less indiscernable as a result of being covered by the clamp.

All original GM sleeves have the slots in BOTH ends-----without them the clamps would be completely ineffective.

As far as which end that the left hand thread goes on, I'd like to know, for sure, myself. Many years ago when I rebuilt my front end for the first time, I, apparently, failed to make note of this. Or, at least, I've forgotten if I made sure to re-install the new parts in exactly the same orientation as the originals. I probably did, but I'm not 100% sure at this point.

Anyway, GM says that the left hand threaded tie rod ends (GM #3826596) were used for the INNER positions and the right hand threaded tie rod ends (GM #3826814) were used for the OUTER positions. Whether that's accurate and/or whether it's accurate for all 1963-82 Corvettes, I have not determined. The orientation of the tie rod ends merely affects the direction which the sleeves must be turned in order to lengthen or shorten them for toe-in adjustment.

By the way, most right hand-threaded tie rod ends had a daub of yellow paint on them wheras the left hand-threaded tie rod ends usually had a duab of blue paint on them.