Half shaft u-joint straps and nuts

[John M.]

In the 65 judging manual it says the half shaft u-joint straps and hardware may be bare steel or black phosphate. Is the black phosphate still acceptable? Seems better than bare metal if the judges like it.
Thanks
John McRae
30025
65 L84

[Joe L.]

Re: Half shaft u-joint straps and nuts

In the 65 judging manual it says the half shaft u-joint straps and hardware may be bare steel or black phosphate. Is the black phosphate still acceptable? Seems better than bare metal if the judges like it.
Thanks
John McRae
30025
65 L84

John------


Every GM u-bolt for the half shafts that I've ever seen has been black phosphate-finished. I have never seen a "plain" or "natural" u-bolt.

[John M.]

Re: Half shaft u-joint straps and nuts

Thanks Joe,
I got this neat little kit for what the maker calls parkerizing. I believe the reaction is between manganese phosphate and the steel. It makes for a nice looking black "phosphate" finish, black to dark gray. Heat up the solution, toss the blasted bare steel part in, cook until the fizzing stops, coat with special oil and voila.
Probably wouldn't want to drink it...

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Half shaft u-joint straps and nuts

John,
Whose kit did you buy?
Jeff

[Tom L.]

Re: Half shaft u-joint straps and nuts

Jeff, I did some parkerizing this winter, it went real well. I was referred by another TDB member to the shooters solution kit. The instructions are very wordy, almost intimidateing but as a friend of mine told me, "A monkey can do it."

Good news!!! I'm smarter than a monkey.

This is the kit:

http://www.shootersolutions.com/parkerizekm16.html

Good luck!!

[John M.]

Re: Half shaft u-joint straps and nuts

Jeff, I used the same stuff as Lynn.
Throw away the written instructions, they are in some foriegn language.
Use the instructions on the containers.
Clean parts thoroughly. I use fine glass beads.
Heat solution to 180-200f is SS pot
Place parts in solution and leave till fizzing stops
Rinse in clean water.
Spray with oil included
The stuff works very well and the finish is pretty rugged

Store solution in glass jars.
Use in ventilated space, outdoors is good.
John

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Half shaft u-joint straps and nuts

John,
That's the stuff I have and it works very well. The owner of the company really wants to please and will do whatever it takes to help you with the process. Apparently he wrote the directions and they are a bit confusing and if you call to ask you will be on the phone for quite some time but, as I said, he really wants to help. The problem is that if you ask him what time it is he will tell you how to make a clock! But I wish all vendors were as sincere in wanting to give such good customer service.
Jeff

[John M.]

Re: Half shaft u-joint straps and nuts

Jeff,
That's good to know; in this world good cutomer service is becoming an obsolete concept.
I put off using the stuff for a couple of months because of the instructions; but I got to a point where I had to try and was suprised at how simple it was. Probably should have called like you did.
Thanks for filling me in.