Wild Goosechase: Control Rod Nuts

All Models and Years
erco
Posts: 1489
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 8:45 pm

Wild Goosechase: Control Rod Nuts

Post by erco »

I wasted 2 hours today on a wild goosechase looking for 11/16"-18 nuts for my LM front suspension control rods. Not available at hardware stores, NAPA stores, alignment shops. DEFINITELY preorder at least 1 from Clark's to slit and make a thread chaser to clean up your control rods. Better yet, order 5. (And start presoaking your nuts (!) days before you plan to disassemble. I needed a long breaker bar to get mine moving.)

Or, do what I did. Spend 2 hours looking for them in vain, after a few days soaking in Evapo-Rust then Liquid Wrench, then another 2 hours per rod alternating torch, oil, massive torque in both directions to move the nuts a few threads at a time. Extremely time consuming. I only did one rod today and I'm bushed.

Bill says to just cut 'em off at 1:20.

User avatar
terribleted
Posts: 4588
Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2010 2:36 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA
Contact:

Re: Wild Goosechase: Control Rod Nuts

Post by terribleted »

Another solution of course is to buy new rods from Clark's or better rods from a used source. I do not like the nuts Clark's sells. They are binding type nuts. I have had them strip control rods in the past and generally found them difficult to deal with. I use original nuts even on new rods unless I simply do not have any in which case I hole my breath use oil to lube and pray a lot.
Last edited by terribleted on Fri Sep 11, 2020 4:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Corvair guy since 1982. I have personally restored at least 20 Vairs, many of them restored ground up.
Currently working full time repairing Corvairs and restoring old cars.
https://www.facebook.com/tedsautorestoration/

Located in Snellville, Georgia
joelsplace
Posts: 1950
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2010 12:51 pm
Location: Northlake, TX

Re: Wild Goosechase: Control Rod Nuts

Post by joelsplace »

Buy a tap and fix the Clark's nuts if you need them.
157 Corvairs, 5 Ultravans and counting
Northlake, TX
User avatar
bbodie52
Corvair of the Month
Corvair of the Month
Posts: 11872
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2012 12:33 pm
Location: Lake Chatuge Hayesville, NC
Contact:

Re: Wild Goosechase: Control Rod Nuts

Post by bbodie52 »

Image

:link: http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/read.php?1,1059203

Control Rod Nut
Posted by: persh
Date: January 07, 2020 03:28PM

What size is the this nut on the front suspension control rod? I was missing one of these nuts so I took my control to hardware store and wasn't able to find anything that fit. What's the deal??

Image


Posted by: Lane66m ()
Date: January 07, 2020 03:44PM

11/16-18. I have 4 back ordered with Clark's. Should be shipped in next couple weeks.

I took apart 4 front suspension assemblies and very few of these nuts were salvaged.


Posted by: junkman ()
Date: January 07, 2020 08:13PM

I have found that many times, that the threads on the rod are in poor condition, and that it is difficult to thread the nut onto the rod very far. A new die to repair the threads was about $50, but I lucked out and a friend loaned me his. Without the die, I would have had to just buy a new rod. Usually they rust severely under the bushing which can render the rod useless.

Posted by: persh ()
Date: January 07, 2020 05:19PM

Wow, that seems like a pretty crazy size!! I'm not sure I'm looking at the right thing in the Clark's catalog. Is the correct part I want C633??


Re: Control Rod Nut
Posted by: solo2r ()
Date: January 07, 2020 08:48PM

I bought the Die years ago and have saved many rods! If Frozen, I just cut off old nuts and replace with new after running the die down the threads.
Image
:link: https://ssl.corvair.com//user-cgi/catal ... d_page=155
Part number C633: 62-69 CONTROL ROD NUT-ORIGINAL STYLE *DO NOT USE AIR RACHET-MUST INSTALL MANUALLY

Weight: 0 lbs 4 oz
Catalog Page(s): 155(20)
Price:
1 - 3 $ 6.40
4+ $ 5.90

Image


Image
Nut, Strut Rod, 1962-69 Corvair, Front
Fits 62-69 Corvair
Part# CV10594
Arriving Soon Please Call 1-800-243-8355
:link: https://www.opgi.com/chassis-suspension ... dJEALw_wcB

Image $9.99
(Each)



Image
These appear to be the correct size — SUITABLE SUBSTITUTE??? Each nut is thinner and has fewer threads.
:link: https://www.amazon.com/Steel-Nuts-Inch- ... DR4SV57EMW
Steel Jam Nuts, 11/16 Inch-18 Right Hand NF Fine Thread, Pack/6
Visit the Speedway Motors Store

Price: $15.77

Image
  • These 11/16"-18 thread jam nuts are the perfect complement to your new rod ends, heim joints, or tie rod ends
  • Thin profile increases the usable thread length of your rod ends
  • Zinc plated for corrosion protection and long life
  • Sold in a value priced bag of 6
  • Choose right hand (RH) or left hand (LH) thread
:dontknow:
Brad Bodie
Lake Chatuge, North Carolina
Image 1966 Corvair Corsa Convertible
66vairguy
Posts: 4531
Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2010 3:44 pm

Re: Wild Goosechase: Control Rod Nuts

Post by 66vairguy »

I've had good luck by simply sending the rods to the sandblaster after cutting off the old nuts. Only way to properly clean up the threads, and if back east you'll see if the threads are so badly corroded as to be compromised (buy a new control rod).

Easy to install new nuts and then paint. I would NEVER use hardware store nuts as they are usually the lowest grade metal.
erco
Posts: 1489
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 8:45 pm

Re: Wild Goosechase: Control Rod Nuts

Post by erco »

As I said, I managed to salvage the control rod and both nuts, it took a few days of soaking in various chems plus a couple hours of labor. I just did it because I'm a hardhead and I was pissed off and didn't want to waste any more time searching for nuts and I wasn't about to mail order and wait. I feel better after reading all these replies. The stock nuts are longer & beefier than anything I have seen online and both of mine have good internal threads remaining. Now they hand-spin the full length of the control rod threads, which are also in good shape, despite this car coming from the rust belt... South Carolina. Now that I know what to expect, I can allocate time & energy to battle the other rod with a better mindset.
erco
Posts: 1489
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 8:45 pm

Re: Wild Goosechase: Control Rod Nuts

Post by erco »

BTW, Amazon sells THE worst nuts on the Internet. https://www.amazon.com/4-20-Reverse-Thr ... B07F2MCG27
User avatar
bbodie52
Corvair of the Month
Corvair of the Month
Posts: 11872
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2012 12:33 pm
Location: Lake Chatuge Hayesville, NC
Contact:

Re: Wild Goosechase: Control Rod Nuts

Post by bbodie52 »

:goodpost: :rolling:
erco wrote: » Sat Sep 12, 2020 6:33 pm

BTW, Amazon sells THE worst nuts on the Internet
1/4-20 Left Hand (Reverse) Thread Hex Nut Stainless Steel ... Made in USA
Image

And on the seventh day, whether it be such as becometh modesty and sobriety, the greatest nut of all ventures forth from the bowels of Delaware...
Image

"Every Man a King"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Share_Our_Wealth
Brad Bodie
Lake Chatuge, North Carolina
Image 1966 Corvair Corsa Convertible
erco
Posts: 1489
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 8:45 pm

Re: Wild Goosechase: Control Rod Nuts

Post by erco »

Turns out the Mustang fellas have the same problem! https://www.vintage-mustang.com/threads ... t.1012825/

The owner of a local highly-rated alignment shop rolled his eyes when I asked if he had these nuts. "Everything on those Corvairs is weird", he said. I'll have to let him know that pony cars use 'em too. "We can align any car", his sign says. Maybe nut.

Given that, I'm even more surprised somebody hasn't reproduced these. Those skinny little jam nuts are nothing compared to the original nuts, which are actually different, the outside nut is longer (and has a radiused outer edge) compared to the inner nut, per photo.
Attachments
strutrod.JPG
66vairguy
Posts: 4531
Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2010 3:44 pm

Re: Wild Goosechase: Control Rod Nuts

Post by 66vairguy »

I took my Corvair to a highly rated local alignment guy who supposedly builds racing suspensions and knows old cars. All my front end hardware was new or clean, yet he would NOT TOUCH the control rod caster adjustment. I got "oh it's good enough" from him. It wasn't.

I haven't found a competent alignment shop in decades, just BS'ers.
erco
Posts: 1489
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 8:45 pm

Re: Wild Goosechase: Control Rod Nuts

Post by erco »

Related, I dropped my crossmember today and found the matching hidden VIN in the right wheelwell. Good day.

Until I tipped the crossmember up and 53 years of internal rust fell out, DOH! :chevy: Heading for the sandblaster.
Attachments
2VINS.jpg
rust2.jpg
Corvaircar
Posts: 55
Joined: Tue May 26, 2015 4:53 pm
Location: Vernon, BC, Canada

Re: Wild Goosechase: Control Rod Nuts

Post by Corvaircar »

I experienced a similar problem with the control arm threads. I had the threads chased at a machine shop only to find I couldn't achieve torque. I had the same machine shop cut down a 3/4" rod and cut new threads. I then cut off 5" of the rod and matched it to the new piece. I drilled a hole in either end of the two pieces and tapped them to 5/16" NC thread, I bevelled the ends of the rod, screwed them tight and welded a good bead around the join. Luckily I have a friend with some nice equipment which saved me having to pay more than I already had to for the machine shop. I paid $90 Can for the shop time ($60 US). I am confident that this will be every bit as strong as the original.
erco
Posts: 1489
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 8:45 pm

Re: Wild Goosechase: Control Rod Nuts

Post by erco »

erco wrote: Sun Sep 13, 2020 7:05 pm I tipped the crossmember up and 53 years of internal rust fell out, DOH! :chevy: Heading for the sandblaster.
Here's one crossmember worse than mine (which turned out beautiful after sandblast & paint). For your consideration, straight from the rust belt: hole throughs in the coil tower. :td:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-chevrolet ... 3354066526
Attachments
3.jpg
2.jpg
1.jpg
User avatar
Allan Lacki
Posts: 753
Joined: Sat Mar 13, 2010 3:06 pm

Re: Wild Goosechase: Control Rod Nuts

Post by Allan Lacki »

Looking for hardware in unusual sizes? My go-to place is McMaster-Carr:
https://www.mcmaster.com/

And here's a link to one of their "extra-wide" hex nut pages:
https://www.mcmaster.com/nuts/hex-nuts/ ... -grade-2h/

But alas! They don't have anything in 11/16-18! 'Sorry!

:banghead:
corvairsince70
Posts: 62
Joined: Thu May 04, 2017 11:31 am

Re: Wild Goosechase: Control Rod Nuts

Post by corvairsince70 »

Just buy an 11/16-18 die from Amazon. This one is slightly adjustable so you can get the OD of the threads to fit nicely with new nuts. Works great.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007PL32MU/re ... UTF8&psc=1
erco
Posts: 1489
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 8:45 pm

Re: Wild Goosechase: Control Rod Nuts

Post by erco »

Good call. In fact, buy a tap and die loaner kit for the forum. Someone who anticipates the need for it pays $50 to have it sent to them, they get $40 back when they mail it to the next person on the list. Traveling toolkit.
Post Reply

Return to “Ask your Mechanical Questions here”