C1 Parking Brake handle rod plating?

[Ian G.]

On a C1 (59 in my case) does anyone know what the Parking Brake handle lever is plated with? Not the chrome handle itself... but the toothed rod with the cable attachment at the end... Nickel? Zinc?

[Donald H.]

Re: C1 Parking Brake handle rod plating?

I think it is plain steel, no plating. I did see any plating on my 1960 when I was restoring it. But I could be wrong. I wire brushed mine then treated with one of the preservative oils like Prelube 6.

Don

[Cliff P.]

Re: C1 Parking Brake handle rod plating?

I kind of think if it were plain steel it would show some rust at it's age. Mine showed signs of plating I replated it clear zinc it sure looks right but I could also be wrong. Cant wait to hear about this.

Cliff

[Ian G.]

Re: C1 Parking Brake handle rod plating?

Pics attached. It's definitely plated with something. There's some rust on the steel where past owners' fingers touched the handle thousands of times; and you can see the lighter color of whatever is plating it in patches. Flash chrome? Zinc? Nickel? Nickel is kind of a yellower shade though, right? and Chrome is clear... Any metallurgists out there?
Also I notice I can now upload pics from my mac. Nice

IMG_1032.jpgIMG_1033.jpg

[Rod K.]

Re: C1 Parking Brake handle rod plating?

My '57 is also kind of patchy, POSSIBLY from plating, especially under the handle which I've removed. The upper end, nearest the handle, is cleaner and somewhat shiney but I think that is from rubbing on the tubular bracket. The lower end is rustier and dirtier. My guess is IF it's plated, and I'm not convinced it is, it would be zinc with clear chromate. Nickle, chrome, cad would be too expensive for something not normally seen nor exposed to the weather and I'd expect those to last longer than zinc, thus be more evident than mine is anyway. The '57 JG says the asssembly is painted gloss black.

Hope this helps some.

[Ian G.]

Re: C1 Parking Brake handle rod plating?

I'm edging towards zinc myself. I'm going to remove the T-handle and look under it. It's pitted and in need of replacement anyway. I'm guessing those T-handles can't be rechromed well either? The edges would lose their sharpness, like hubcap centers...

[Cliff P.]

Re: C1 Parking Brake handle rod plating?

Think you'll be pleased with outcome.

Cliff

[Jerry B.]

Re: C1 Parking Brake handle rod plating?

IAN, what is the easiest way to remove the handle?

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 Parking Brake handle rod plating?

IAN, what is the easiest way to remove the handle?

With the appropriate size punch, use a hammer to drive the pin all the way into the shaft. Pull the T-handle off of the shaft. When the T-handle comes off of the shaft, the pin will drop out of the hole in the shaft.

[Mike M.]

Re: C1 Parking Brake handle rod plating?

i've always ground the t-handle 180 degrees from where the pin inserts, then drive the pin out. tom's idea is superior to my old method. i don't recall seeing any evidence of plating on the toothed shafts of all the c-1'a i've done over the years.unfortunately, i have recently restored my last C-1, and unless an air box makes its way to cumberland, i'll be restoring the midyears i haven't done yet. btw, the chrome plated t-handle is available from corvette central and is an excellent repo. mike

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 Parking Brake handle rod plating?

i've always ground the t-handle 180 degrees from where the pin inserts, then drive the pin out. tom's idea is superior to my old method. i don't recall seeing any evidence of plating on the toothed shafts of all the c-1'a i've done over the years.unfortunately, i have recently restored my last C-1, and unless an air box makes its way to cumberland, i'll be restoring the midyears i haven't done yet. btw, the chrome plated t-handle is available from corvette central and is an excellent repo. mike

I read that in the service manual (or SOMEWHERE) MANY, MANY, MANY years ago---------------------------I thought that everyone knew to do it that way.

Is the handle that CC sells a repo, or NOS????
Some years ago, it was still available from GM Parts dept, so I bought 2-3 and still have them. I suspected that the ones CC has been selling for the past several years were also NOS.
I still have a full set of 56-7 cove molding from my local Chevy dealer and a full set of GM soft weather strip and 3-4 NOS axle links (but I use the ones made by Frank Antonicelli because they are better).

And last, the 56-7 fender scoop inserts that Paragon sells (or used to sell), are/were those NOS that Paragon stocked up on and then repackaged? They sure look like NOS.

[Ian G.]

Re: C1 Parking Brake handle rod plating?

I drilled it down a bit, then punched it into the rod. The rod definitely had evidence of either cad or zinc plating underneath; white, powdery looking. Prolly Zinc? I was pretty sure I'd find that by looking at what was left of the plating out side...