68-72 Tie Rod, tube, and clamp finish

[Bill L.]

Well I found a very informative thread regarding the finish from 2007. I cannot figure out how to link it to this thread or I would have done so.

The thread discusses the finish. The consensus of the 2007 thread is that they likely were covered in that cheap asphalt based coating from the Buffalo plant.

What is the final verdict on the finish? The evidence on mine is that they were painted a semi gloss black. I am carefully cleaning and what ever the finish, it comes off easily with lacquer thinner. If I am careful just wiping the grease off a semi gloss black paint remains. Where I did use a little lacquer thinner the metal underneath is spotless.

Thoughts? I am getting ready to reassemble the front suspension. Could this be a case of sometimes they painted and sometimes not? Early 70 June build date L46 with PS.

Thanks,


Bill

[Edward J.]

Re: 68-72 Tie Rod, tube, and clamp finish

Bill, I am pretty sure the chassis judges want to see the sleeve painted blk.semi gloss, and the clamps and tie rods natural, bolts were blk. phosphate and the nuts zinc. all so make sure the clamps are positioned correctly.

[Bill L.]

Re: 68-72 Tie Rod, tube, and clamp finish

Bill, I am pretty sure the chassis judges want to see the sleeve painted blk.semi gloss, and the clamps and tie rods natural, bolts were blk. phosphate and the nuts zinc. all so make sure the clamps are positioned correctly.

Thank you Edward. I am hoping a chassis judge will chime in too. I do see semi gloss paint on my sleeves but I also see semi gloss paint on the clamps. The thread is also interesting in that it describes the initial set up of the tie rods assembly and set up.

Kind Regards,


Bill

[Terry M.]

Re: 68-72 Tie Rod, tube, and clamp finish

Bill, I am pretty sure the chassis judges want to see the sleeve painted blk.semi gloss, and the clamps and tie rods natural, bolts were blk. phosphate and the nuts zinc. all so make sure the clamps are positioned correctly.

Don't be so sure Ed. Although I don't agree with it, the next 1970-72 TIM&JG will call for natural tie rods and tie rod ends and tie rod clamps. I am in the covered with black goo from Buffalo camp. Bolts are plated black and grip nuts are silver colored, as you state. No one has to worry about what I think since it will be a cold day in he!! before I judge chassis again.

[Bill L.]

Re: 68-72 Tie Rod, tube, and clamp finish

I am with you Terry. Mine is a texas car, albeit high mileage, and there is clear evidence of some type of paint. Hence the question to start the thread. This is one of those moments where you believe the car or restore to the manual.

The Ed Foss collection had examples of low mileage chrome bumper C3s. Did anyone document what was found on his C3s? A local MD guy bought the 72 Yellow BB.

It would seem logical to assume that as a production vehicle some were coated and some were not. Kinda like the lower control arm shaft. Some have been found to be painted and some were found to be natural.

The tie rod sleeves on my 70 even have the typical drips seen on other production parts.

Seems there were examples of both at the Boston meet in 2007 based on the old thread.



Bill

[Patrick H.]

Re: 68-72 Tie Rod, tube, and clamp finish

IMG_4233 by Patrick Hulst, on Flickr

Here is one of the very last 1972s, and at the time of the photo had 6500 miles on it, one owner.
Natural?

[Bill L.]

Re: 68-72 Tie Rod, tube, and clamp finish

IMG_4233 by Patrick Hulst, on Flickr

Here is one of the very last 1972s, and at the time of the photo had 6500 miles on it, one owner.
Natural?

Looks like remnants of something on the sleeve. Grease or cheap asphalt paint?

Bill

[Terry M.]

Re: 68-72 Tie Rod, tube, and clamp finish

Looks like remnants of something on the sleeve. Grease or cheap asphalt paint?

Bill

Cheap asphalt paint is my call, but that is just my 2 cents. There are other people you will have to please.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 68-72 Tie Rod, tube, and clamp finish

IMG_4080 by Patrick Hulst, on Flickr

Now here's one of the same tie rod from the front.

[Alan S.]

Re: 68-72 Tie Rod, tube, and clamp finish

Hi,
To my eye it appears the camera thought it was seeing a very similar surface in both places.
Regards,
Alan

[Bill L.]

Re: 68-72 Tie Rod, tube, and clamp finish

Hi,
To my eye it appears the camera thought it was seeing a very similar surface in both places.
Regards,
Alan

I completely agree Alan. The question is this asphalt paint or frame type paint that has bubbled a tiny bit due some weathering or exposure to some type of fluid.

Bill

[Patrick H.]

Re: 68-72 Tie Rod, tube, and clamp finish

Frame is missing paint I believe due to leaky master cylinder, which was one of the 3 items (MC, battery, exhaust) replaced in the last 40+ years. I have some other photos at home and will try and see if I can post those later.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 68-72 Tie Rod, tube, and clamp finish

My 72. Small bits of black on the tie rod?

Idler Arm by Patrick Hulst, on Flickr

[Bill L.]

Re: 68-72 Tie Rod, tube, and clamp finish

My 72. Small bits of black on the tie rod?

Idler Arm by Patrick Hulst, on Flickr

Very nice picture. It does look like paint remnants on the sleeve and on the center link. I may remove one of the clamps on my 70 to see if there is any paint underneath.

Bill

[Patrick H.]

Re: 68-72 Tie Rod, tube, and clamp finish

Very nice picture. It does look like paint remnants on the sleeve and on the center link. I may remove one of the clamps on my 70 to see if there is any paint underneath.

Bill

Center link is just casting scale, which is common on parts like this. I have many other photos of that.