replated spring plates - what to do w/ inside?

[Dixie]

Are you supposed to grease the inside of the spring plates? You know, where the torsion bars go?

Here is why I ask...

I got my freshly replated spring plates back (yellow zinc). What I discovered is that normal electroplating does not plate inside the spring plate due to it's shape*. Unfortunately, I do not recall if the inside was plated from the factory. But I do recall the inside was rather rusty. Either way, I'd like to keep the inside from rusting further.

I can't be the first person to run into this. What is the solution?

(I'll post pictures later.)

Thanks in advance...


*FWIW: To plate the inside of a cup-like part, such as the spring plate, you need to have the parts plated using a different process. I believe they called it a non-electrode process?

[Evans, Marv]

The inside isn't usually plated. Plating might make the dimensions of the teeth inside too small to take the torsion bar splines. I'm storing mine until I can put the car back together & sprayed fogging oil inside to keep the splines from corroding again. I think I'll put antiseize on them when I assemble them, unless somebody with more knowledge about that pipes up & gives reasons not to.

[imcarthur]

You plating guys . . .

I just finished mine. Just lightly grease the inside with the grease you use on the torsion bar. I used a greased rag on a paint stir stick. You won't need antiseize.

I went cheap & fast & just rattle-canned . . .

Before:





After:



Ian

[450knotOffice]

Those look nice! What kind of paint did you use? I'm pulling mine in about a week or so.

Thanks.

[imcarthur]

Scott

Tremclad Rust Paint. Aluminum color.

It ain't as cool as plating but my 'selling' to the wife is growing thin at the moment so . . .

Ian