Steering link for CT electric truck

**Frank S** · Jul 23, 2023, 02:18 AM

Finally got around to repairing the steering link on the 1916 5 ton CT electric Truck
The new link and the old bent and broken tube

Steering link for CT electric truck-img_20230715_150730ct.jpg

I machined the bore on the ends of the sch 80 pipe but left them several thousands under sized, then heated them to nearly white hot and pressed the ends on

Steering link for CT electric truck-img_20230715_150737ct.jpg

Steering link for CT electric truck-img_20230715_150749ct.jpg

**mr mikey** · Jul 24, 2023, 05:38 PM

Looks good to me

**metric_taper** · Jul 25, 2023, 10:45 AM

Nice restoration repair. Keeps it looking original. Interesting the Model T used a round ball end for swivel as well, must have been the method back then.

I was doing a similar repair to a 1965 Datsun Fairlady SPL310. The steering link between the left and right front wheels was broken by some idiot that put a chain around it to pull the car. This car is all SAE Imperial bolts and threads. I made a new one with left and right hand threads on each end. Single point threaded them on the lathe. It was 1/2" round bar, and I had a piece of stainless in my metal stock hoard.

**Frank S** · Jul 25, 2023, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by metric_taper

Nice restoration repair. Keeps it looking original. Interesting the Model T used a round ball end for swivel as well, must have been the method back then.

I was doing a similar repair to a 1965 Datsun Fairlady SPL310. The steering link between the left and right front wheels was broken by some idiot that put a chain around it to pull the car. This car is all SAE Imperial bolts and threads. I made a new one with left and right hand threads on each end. Single point threaded them on the lathe. It was 1/2" round bar, and I had a piece of stainless in my metal stock hoard.

The only way you would be able to tell it is not original is I used seamless sch80 instead of welded sch40, that and the fact that I did not need to braze a .010" shim sleeve around the stubs to make my pipe fit tight but after it is painted you would have to cut it apart to find those differences or know the factory weight of the assembly I will make 4 soft steel round head rivets to pin the ends on with but I need to make a rivet set die with the correct shape to buck them in place. There are other rivets I need to buy or make for other parts of the truck so this will be done at a later date.