Restoring steering linkage / spindles

[Daniel H.]

After bead blasting,wire wheel is there anyway to get the un-machined part of the steel to have the look like the blue/gray finished on a new part?.

Thanks,
Danny

[Gene M.]

Re: Restoring steering linkage / spindles

Danny,
I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you looking to achieve a natural cast iron appearance?

[Jerry G.]

Re: Restoring steering linkage / spindles

One thing I'd suggest you do before cosmetic restoration of spindles is have them magna-fluxed to check for cracks. Spindles do crack and who knows what your spindles have been subjected to. For peace of mind and safety have them checked.

[Daniel H.]

Re: Restoring steering linkage / spindles

Yes. It has a darker color almost dark gray I guess from when it was heated during the casting. If you bead blast is become shiny. I would like to put back the gray look and leave the machine part of it shiney

[Terry M.]

Re: Restoring steering linkage / spindles

After bead blasting,wire wheel is there anyway to get the un-machined part of the steel to have the look like the blue/gray finished on a new part?.

Thanks,
Danny

Some steering linkage parts are forged. I would bet the center link (relay rod) on C2s & C3s is forged. I am not sure about spindles, but they may be as well. Any forged parts that are not machined will have a very different finish than cast parts. All that aside, I believe the center link & tie rods were delivered as an assembly to St Louis and beginning sometime in the C2 era were coated by Saginaw with a really evil black goo. Jim Shea can you help? The idler arm (part of which is forged) may have been delivered as part of this assembly also. Check the AIM for a part number. A part number = installed at St Louis. If installed at Saginaw reach for that evil goo or face over-restoration charges. At least that is the way it should be if the judges are doing their job. I am confident not all chassis judges are, or owners are taking the deduction which may not be more than a couple of points. I rarely see that evil goo except on the finest of Bowtie cars.

[Michael H.]

Re: Restoring steering linkage / spindles

After bead blasting,wire wheel is there anyway to get the un-machined part of the steel to have the look like the blue/gray finished on a new part?.

Thanks,
Danny

Daniel,

A correct answer may depend on what year Corvette you are working on.

[Daniel H.]

Re: Restoring steering linkage / spindles

Sorry, Its a 1975

[Terry M.]

Re: Restoring steering linkage / spindles

Sorry, Its a 1975

Dan,

My response was for 1968-1972. By 1975 some procedures may have changed. I don't think so, but best to check with some chassis judges in that year group, or Jim Shae or the NTL (see contact radio button above for the NTL).