997027 - ESAB ST-16 Curved Wire Guide Replacement

Keep Your ST-16 Running Smoothly

If you are still running an ESAB ST-16 or ST-23 MIG gun, you know it's one of the most reliable torches ever built. However, even the toughest gear needs maintenance to keep laying down perfect beads. The ESAB 997027 Wire Guide is the specific 45-degree curved tube that sits inside your gun handle, and it is absolutely vital for smooth wire feeding. When this part wears out, you start fighting the gun—experiencing drag, stuttering wire, and that frustrating burnback that ruins your contact tips and your patience.

Why does this little curved tube matter so much? In the ST-16 design, the wire has to make a turn within the handle to reach the gooseneck. If you use a generic guide or leave an old, grooved one in place, the wire digs into the metal at that bend. This creates friction (drag) and can even shave off tiny slivers of copper or steel from the wire. Those shavings end up clogging your liner downstream, leading to erratic feeding that makes your arc sputter. By swapping in a fresh 997027 guide, you restore that low-friction path, letting the wire glide through the 45-degree turn effortlessly. It’s a small fix that makes a massive difference in how the torch feels and performs.

This is a genuine ESAB part, meaning it fits perfectly without modification. You won't have to struggle to align it or worry about it rattling loose. It is built to handle the heat and the constant abrasion of thousands of pounds of wire passing through it. Whether you are pushing solid mild steel wire or trying to feed softer aluminum, having a pristine guide in the handle is key to preventing birdnesting at the feeder and surging at the tip.

Don't let a cheap or worn-out part compromise your welds. If you've noticed your wire feed speed fluctuating or the motor straining, check your guide. Replacing the 997027 is quick and easy, getting you back under the hood faster. Keep your classic ESAB torch performing like the day it was bought with the right replacement parts designed for the job.