Original shock link installation
 

I am having trouble getting the ball to fit into the shock link when all the "guts" are in it. Putting grease on the cup just makes it worse because it ends up everywhere. The main problem is keeping the brass cup in place as the ball is forced in the hole on top of the cup. The cup likes to slide out of position and behind the ball. Is there a good procedure for this or am I doomed to gnash my teeth until I get lucky? Thanks for any suggestions!

Re: Original shock link installation
 

Try putting the lower seat in, install on lower ball, glue with grease the next seat into the sleeve holding the link horizontal slide it in, then slide the spring in with seat held in place with grease, place on shock ball, glue last seat to adjustment screw with grease and install that, adjust and install cotter pin. If the upper seat want to come off sleeve or spring try holding it with a small screw driver when you pop on the ball. I may have the sleeve and spring switched, put the spring so the grease can pump in.
The installed links have the adjustment screw on top, the ones I have seen anyway.

Re: Original shock link installation
 

I dont have my notes handy at the moment, but someone on FB has made a GREAT suggestion that we assemble the link to the (1) fixed ball, then (2) to the shock arm ball, (3) THEN slip the shock arm onto the shock body ... worked great for me!!

Re: Original shock link installation
 

I used a pair of channel lock pliers to pop mine in.

Re: Original shock link installation
 

here is a link that may also help you
https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread...ght=shock+link

Re: Original shock link installation
 

Mitch's link is what I did... I found that putting the shock and arm together first on a bench, the attach the shock to the frame (loose just to hold it)... and with cold grease back the links together... Still was a pain....

Re: Original shock link installation
 

I recently had the same experience. I found that if you "glue" the seats into place with a small amount of adhesive (I used a touch of silicon adhesive) then you can assemble the link readily. The movement of the plug and twisting the link before you shoot grease in breaks the glue and you are good to go. I was using those pesky lightweight nylon seats that made the problem worse before I thought to get the adhesive tube out.

Re: Original shock link installation
 

Thanks for the suggestions. I only have to replace one that was leaking. I think I will try the glue suggestion of mrraford.

Re: Original shock link installation
 

One (1) Experience:

1. This may not be the case; but over the years, quite a few articles were written in years gone by about installing ball bearings and/or machined balls to replace worn balls.

2. On my Town Sedan, I noticed someone had installed one (1) shock ball slightly larger in diameter than all of the rest; hence, this one shock link was difficult to install.

3. If shock link balls or other replacement balls are slightly larger in diameter than normal, one may encounter similar difficulty.

Re: Original shock link installation
 

I have found that placing a drop of glue from my hot glue gun on the brass seat after cleaning all the parts holds things together and make the job go easier.