Restoration Detail - Copper Plated Stuff??

**enio45** · #1 07-26-2014, 07:01 PM

I have noticed the following copper plated parts and was wondering why?

1. Output shaft on the steering box
2. 4 bolts on the steering column
3. one bolt on the steering coupler
4. 2 nuts on the rear backing plates that secure the brake mounting pins to the backing backs
5. cotter pin for the idler arm
6. are there others - and any idea WHY Copper??

**Rixls6** · #2 07-27-2014, 12:03 AM

No idea why the copper, but I had a 70 Chevelle that had copper plated ball joint boot retaining rings on the uppers.

marxjunk · #3 07-27-2014, 12:30 AM

i have a bunch of copper NOS nuts and cotter pins...ive seen them around but never could find enough info on why and what the applications are

ive seen the nuts on rear backing plates...muffler clamps and a few other places..i'm sure the cotter pins i have are ball joint..they look pretty specific...but ive never pulled a cotter pin that has plating that survived

**Woj** · #4 07-27-2014, 01:30 AM

I had a problem years ago with a car that kept burning through front wheel bearings. The shop I was taking the car to decided to put ground straps from the spindles to the chassis. They said that static electricity from moving front wheels/bearings could create arcing that might pit the bearings and cause the premature wear.

I wonder if this may have something to do with these copper components, maybe used to disperse static electricity? Just a thought.

Phil Woj

**SS427** · #5 07-27-2014, 05:44 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Woj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had a problem years ago with a car that kept burning through front wheel bearings. The shop I was taking the car to decided to put ground straps from the spindles to the chassis. They said that static electricity from moving front wheels/bearings could create arcing that might pit the bearings and cause the premature wear.
</div></div>

When I was a mechanic in the 70's and 80's this was a fairly common problem. They make a coil type spring steel that sits on the end of the spindle and makes contact with the dust cover and that seemed to cure it. Odd deal for sure.

Verne_Frantz · #6 07-28-2014, 02:10 PM

Rick,
In the early '60s (my era) they were called static collectors and were installed on all cars with a factory radio. (along with the appropriate ground straps and capacitors.)

I believe the copper plating of some nuts and bolts was just the suppliers way of meeting the rust proofing spec from Chevys engineers.

Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]