Thread: Chromed front end.

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G'day,
I imported a great looking 32 Ford into Australia with a chromed dropped tube front end and now I am being quizzed about hydrogen embrittlement. The rod is about 10 years old and had regular road registration in the USA.
Is hydrogen embrittlement on low grade steel a problem and if so can it be reversed?
Regards.

If it was a problem it would probably have manifested itself before now. I don't think you have anything to worry about. Consider this: there are a LOT of chrome front ends under hotrods that have been on the road for years with no problems... More specifically, hydrogen embrittlement only takes place on the surface and a few thousandths of an inch deep. It is usually only a problem on lighter weight parts that are under a lot of stress. Years ago, chrome plating was banned on suspension componenets for Indy cars. Those parts are made to be as light as possible (thin tubing) and are under a lot of stress. The axle under your Deuce is probably .250-wall tubing, 2 or 3 times stronger than it needs to be, so that it can give many years of trouble free use. Drive it and enjoy it.

As far as I know, there is no way to reverse the process.

Many thanks,what you say is all true good common sense.
Convincing someone who is reading from a rule book that says all chromed parts are effected is a bit difficult. Silly thing is I now have it registered as a Street Rod and can drive it to anywhere there is an event. Perhaps the rule makers think these days are exempted from failures. Go Gigure.
Thanks again and all the best. Clive.