C2 65 Tie Rod Ends

[Jim S.]

Re: C2 65 Tie Rod Ends

Still waiting for newer C3 owner(s) to respond on location of grooves in the adjuster sleeves (inboard or outboard). Also are there yellow paint dabs on the inner tie rods?
Jim

[Terry M.]

Re: C2 65 Tie Rod Ends

Still waiting for newer C3 owner(s) to respond on location of grooves in the adjuster sleeves (inboard or outboard). Also are there yellow paint dabs on the inner tie rods?
Jim

I recall looking for the groves in the sleeves on a 500 mile 1972 at Novi in the Summer. I couldn't find those grooves. Jim, how far into the C3 years did the groove continue? Maybe because that car had F41 I was on a fools errand.

[Jim S.]

Re: C2 65 Tie Rod Ends

Chevrolet-Buffalo made the Corvette linkage (and most of the other Chevrolet linkage parts). Saginaw Steering Gear in now Nexteer and partially owned by the Chinese. So I no longer have any connections as to any Chevrolet drawings.

Back in the old days when I was working; and Saginaw was a division of General Motors, I could have requested any drawings through General Motors Corporation. I remember that my 1975 L82 had an aftermarket Holley spreadbore carb when I purchased it. The fuel line from the fuel pump to the carb had been cobbled to reach the inlet (which was different from the OEM Rochester). I just ordered the fuel line drawing from Chevrolet and had our SSG model shop fabricate a new one for me.

The only reason I knew about the groove in the adjuster tube was the Bair's ad with the note that the groove identified the LH threaded end of the tube. It seems that the groove was not on the adjuster tube in 1965.
Since the adjuster tube, tie rod ends, and relay rod came to St. Louis and/or Bowling Green as complete assemblies. The groove must have been for internal Buffalo identification (just like the yellow paint dabs on the RH threaded tie rod ends).

Jim

[Jim D.]

Re: C2 65 Tie Rod Ends

The only reason I knew about the groove in the adjuster tube was the Bair's ad with the note that the groove identified the LH threaded end of the tube. It seems that the groove was not on the adjuster tube in 1965.
Since the adjuster tube, tie rod ends, and relay rod came to St. Louis and/or Bowling Green as complete assemblies. The groove must have been for internal Buffalo identification (just like the yellow paint dabs on the RH threaded tie rod ends).

Jim

Incorrect, my 65 has the grooves on the outboard ends and yellow dabs on the inside tie rod ends.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 65 Tie Rod Ends

Chevrolet-Buffalo made the Corvette linkage (and most of the other Chevrolet linkage parts). Saginaw Steering Gear in now Nexteer and partially owned by the Chinese. So I no longer have any connections as to any Chevrolet drawings.

Back in the old days when I was working; and Saginaw was a division of General Motors, I could have requested any drawings through General Motors Corporation. I remember that my 1975 L82 had an aftermarket Holley spreadbore carb when I purchased it. The fuel line from the fuel pump to the carb had been cobbled to reach the inlet (which was different from the OEM Rochester). I just ordered the fuel line drawing from Chevrolet and had our SSG model shop fabricate a new one for me.

The only reason I knew about the groove in the adjuster tube was the Bair's ad with the note that the groove identified the LH threaded end of the tube. It seems that the groove was not on the adjuster tube in 1965.
Since the adjuster tube, tie rod ends, and relay rod came to St. Louis and/or Bowling Green as complete assemblies. The groove must have been for internal Buffalo identification (just like the yellow paint dabs on the RH threaded tie rod ends).

Jim

Jim------


The part number for the SLEEVE (tube) never changed----it was GM #3826816 throughout the entire 1963-82 period.

Attached are some photos of an NOS sleeve. Based on the packaging and part number printing style, I would say these are from the later 70's-early 80's period.

The second and third pictures in the series are from the LH threaded end of the sleeve. You will note that there is a very slight bevel on this end compared to the RH threaded end shown in the fourth photo.

My guess is that at some point the method of identifying the LH threaded end changed via a change in specification on the original drawing. This may have occurred due to an attempt at cost reduction. However, I'd say it's more likely that someone came to the conclusion that the groove weakened the tube for the sake of identification only and there were better and less costly ways of identification.

In order to establish just when the change occurred we will need to either obtain the drawing for this part or conduct a survey of original cars. Fortunately, these tubes are often not replaced even if the tie rod ends are replaced.

[Jim S.]

Re: C2 65 Tie Rod Ends

I was a product engineer not a tool engineer but I would think that the adjuster sleeves were manufactured in such a way that the groove on the LH threaded section was machined (for free) on a multiple spindle (or station) screw machine.

So there was little savings as long as the station was available to machine the groove on the OD.

We always followed the dictates that you did NOT change a part number unless a change you were making affected FIT, FORM, or FUNCTION. Adding or eliminating the OD groove would not have caused the part number to change according to the above.

Jim

[Bill H.]

Re: C2 65 Tie Rod Ends

Just to add another example, my 67's (288 & 287 forging #'s) also have an "S" stamped near the grease fitting.

[Alan D.]

Re: C2 65 Tie Rod Ends

If we look back at post #18 those original tubes so no markings for LH v RH do they? As Harry mentioned it appears the groove was a NOS thing.

[Jim S.]

Re: C2 65 Tie Rod Ends

I talked with an old tool engineer at Saginaw Division. He said that Saginaw adjuster tubes (virtually for all GM Car Divisions except Chevrolet) never had a groove on the LH threaded end. He said that they just looked into the machined pinch slot (allowing the tube to be "pinched" to the tie rod end thread by the adjuster clamp) and could tell by the direction of the thread whether it was a RH or LH thread.

Chevrolet engineering or their tooling people must have made their own decision as to needing an identifying groove or not.

Jim

[Scott S.]

Re: C2 65 Tie Rod Ends

There's just got to be someone out there with an ultra low mile 78 Silver Anniversary or Pace Car. That should answer it for all 63-82.

I'd still like to hear from some folks with later C3's (like the numerous, low miles 1978 Pace Cars that are around) to see if there might have been any difference in the orientation of the tie rod ends in later years. I doubt there would have been, but it would be nice to confirm it.

Joe,

With this Thread being titled "C2 65 Tie Rod Ends", I'm guessing that relatively few C3 owners have checked into the discussion. A new Thread titled something like "late C3 or low mileage 1978 Pace Car Tie Rod Ends" might get the replies.

[Wayne W.]

Re: C2 65 Tie Rod Ends

I have one laying around in the shop right now that I believe came from a `75. It has both the bevel on one end and the grove on the other.