willysmjeeps.com

I just noticed that my 1953 A1 radiator support rods are covered by a thin rubber covering. Is that factory and if so, why?

Thanks,

Mike B

I don't recall seeing any rubber layer on mine. It just may be an attempt by a previous owner to make the rods fit snugger and without rattling.

Wonder if it’s undercoating.

Is that a Marine jeep?

Mine had a thin layer of some kind of thin plastic coating on them. I redid it with plasti-dip like for tool handles. I assumed it was factory.

Dan

1953 M38A1

my m170 has the rubber coating on them

danrothe2001 wrote:Mine had a thin layer of some kind of thin plastic coating on them. I redid it with plasti-dip like for tool handles. I assumed it was factory.

Dan

1953 M38A1

That what I was thinking about using if it was deemed factory. Mine were covered end to end including both ends...the only holes in the rubber were for the cotter pins.

Mike B

Both of my Army a1s (53 and 54 models) as well as my 64 USMC had a rubbery coating on them. I Plasti Dipped the ones on the 53 that I restored but didn't have to do anything to the USMC ones - they were almost perfect.

Anyone know WHY they were rubberized???

Thanks,

Mike B

Since the attachment points cannot be actually tightened up to prevent movement it is a safe assumption they are rubber coated to prevent rattling and prevent corrosion caused by rattling and rubbing steel on steel.