Diameter of Radius Rod Ball

[V8COOPMAN]

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Let's say we have a low-mileage '40 Ford radius rod. Does anyone have an accurate dimension on the diameter of a RELATIVELY un-worn radius rod ball?

Does anyone here happen to have the same dimension on an early Ford (9N, 2N, 8N type) tractor radius rod ball?

Coop

[rotorwrench]

The early Fords are 1.5". My Ford 850 looks to have about the same size but I've never had to remove them.

[Bob C]

I measured one from a 2N and it's 1 3/8".

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Bob C

I measured one from a 2N and it's 1 3/8".

Thanks for that, Bob!

Anyone else?

Coop

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[Als48]

I'll measure the one on my NAA tomorrow. '54 Ford

[Brian]

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1951 8N is 1 3/8"

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Brian

1951 8N is 1 3/8"

Well, it's beginning to look like we're forming a consensus here near 1-3/8". I've looked all over the internet and cannot find that figure. In fact, I've not yet found the dimension for the Ford CAR wishbone ball except for rotorwrench's reply above. All of my wishbones were sold with my other stash this past year. PLEASE keep those figures coming, guys!

Coop

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[Zeke3]

I would like to help out, but I just put the rubber ball on my wishbone a week ago and I don’t plan to remove it to measure the ball on the wishbone. I blew compressed air in the hole and lubed with window cleaner but it was still a struggle getting it installed.

[rotorwrench]

The adjustable front axle on many of the Ford tractor models were mounted to a special deep drawn steel stamping on the front of the engine utilizing a single large diameter pin that allows the axle to sort of teeter on the lateral axis. That pin and the two radius rods are the only supports so they take a hell of a beating when crossing over furrows or road ruts. If it weren't for the suspension on the seat, the ride will beat the operator pretty soundly on a rough patch of ground. I've had to repair cracks in that front support before as well as replace the pin and it's support plates so I can attest to the torture that they endure over time and abuse. Those radius rods can take about anything an operator can throw at them. The tractors with the front loaders take even more abuse due to the extra weight on the front end.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

The adjustable front axle on many of the Ford tractor models were mounted to a special deep drawn steel stamping on the front of the engine utilizing a single large diameter pin that allows the axle to sort of teeter on the lateral axis. That pin and the two radius rods are the only supports so they take a hell of a beating when crossing over furrows or road ruts. If it weren't for the suspension on the seat, the ride will beat the operator pretty soundly on a rough patch of ground. I've had to repair cracks in that front support before as well as replace the pin and it's support plates so I can attest to the torture that they endure over time and abuse. Those radius rods can take about anything an operator can throw at them. The tractors with the front loaders take even more abuse due to the extra weight on the front end.

rotorwrench ....... You've made some very interesting observations about just how stout these things must be.

Besides actual sizes, one more question that I cannot find an answer to here on the world-wide-web is whether these old tractors like the 9N, 2N and 8N actually use a rubber ball like the automobile wishbone balls do. Would YOU know for sure? And if a rubber ball IS USED on the tractors, is it the same one used on the AUTOMOBILE wishbone balls, or a different animal?

Coop

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[rotorwrench]

My 850 doesn't have the rubber ball. It's metal to metal like the model A types. Ford started using them later so retrofit kits started showing up for the As and others that were metal to metal.

The model As have bushings and springs for the ball cap to allow some movement. The tractors are bolted solid to the transmission housing. I have the early AA radius rod and the standard 28/29 A type radius rod and both are very near 1.5 " on the ball size. The weld on replacement balls are 1.5 " as well.

[Als48]

1 3/8" on my '54 Ford NAA Jubilee/'53 and 500, 600 should be the same.

Al Hook

[Als48]

All steel also, no rubber liner.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Als48

All steel also, no rubber liner.

Thank YOU very much, Al!

With NO RUBBER and full metal to metal contact, is it a loose fit, or does it seem like a snug, flexible joint with adequate grease application? In other words, does it SEEM like a reasonably workable deal in a situation like in this picture?

[19Fordy]

Can you drill and tap the assembly for a grease fitting?

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Can you drill and tap the assembly for a grease fitting?

I don't see why not. Here's an original socket.

Coop

[swedishsteel]

Those joints on the 8n my dad bought new in 1952 are so worn they audibly slap back and forth when driving the tractor. This discussion has given me the idea of investigating to see if I could put a rubber ball in there to take up the slack.

[Als48]

Those ball/socket joints on Ford tractors are intended to operate metal to metal, with no rubber socket interface. I wondered myself why there was no grease fitting on that joint as the one I removed and looked at had noticible wear. It has operated that way for 70 years, tho. This is my bush hog tractor that my grandad bought new in the fall of '53.

Al Hook

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Als48

Those ball/socket joints on Ford tractors are intended to operate metal to metal, with no rubber socket interface. I wondered myself why there was no grease fitting on that joint as the one I removed and looked at had noticible wear. It has operated that way for 70 years, tho. This is my bush hog tractor that my grandad bought new in the fall of '53.

Al Hook

Thanks again for your observations & comments, Al!

Coop

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[cas3]

Lots of machinery that lives in the dirt, like bulldozer tracks for example, have no grease fittings as the grease will hold dirt and wear faster.