ConcoursMustang Forums

1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1967 Mustang => Topic started by: orgnl70 on May 18, 2016, 08:33:46 PM

Title: Lower Control Arm Strut Rod Finish
Post by: orgnl70 on May 18, 2016, 08:33:46 PM

Early 67, Metuchen built. What was the factory finish on the LCA strut rod and washers?

Title: Re: Lower Control Arm Strut Rod Finish
Post by: Bob Gaines on May 18, 2016, 08:44:39 PM

Quote from: orgnl70 on May 18, 2016, 08:33:46 PM

Early 67, Metuchen built. What was the factory finish on the LCA strut rod and washers?

They appear bare steel when new but I would do a very light zinc phosphate to hold the oil or what ever preservative better.

Title: Re: Lower Control Arm Strut Rod Finish
Post by: orgnl70 on May 18, 2016, 09:28:10 PM

Thanks for the info.

Title: Re: Lower Control Arm Strut Rod Finish
Post by: jwc66k on May 19, 2016, 12:42:33 AM

Here a sample of the finish you should look for. The first picture is of a pair of 64-66 strut rods I phosphate a few years back. They are too dark. The second picture is of two 64-66 center links that I did around the same time and they came out a lighter shade. After bead blasting, the technique I use is a smaller amount of phosphoric acid than is specified, about half, and less time, in this case a minute and a half, and as hot, 200F +, as the stove would get the bath. I used a stainless steel fish poaching tank. The rods and links were too long so I started one end in the bath for 15 seconds, then swapped ends every 15 seconds.
Jim