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Old 07-19-2012, 05:18 PM   #1
Ed in Maine
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Default Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

Today I put the rubber ball on the freshly painted radius rod/front axle. After about 45 minutes of trying to get the ball to go on with a little liquid soap, I felt there had to be an easier way. There is! I took a plastic bottle and cut out a cone shape. The small end goes into the rubber ball and the large end goes over the radius rod ball. Just push, the cone opens the rubber ball equally all around and it easily goes over the steel ball. Before it goes on all the way, take out the plastic cone. It worked the first time in less than a minute. Ed
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Old 07-19-2012, 08:23 PM   #2
J Franklin
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

How often does that rubber need to be replaced? I know rubber and oil don't coexist too well.
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Old 07-20-2012, 08:55 AM   #3
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

Neat idea, like a shoe horn, but cone shaped
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Old 07-20-2012, 10:03 AM   #4
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

If similar to Snyder's a-3436, the "rubber" ball is actually made of neoprene and should give good service in an oil environment. (This is not meant as an endorsement or recommendation of the neoprene ball over the original installation.)
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Last edited by Napa Skip; 07-20-2012 at 10:25 AM. Reason: add caveat about not recommending one or the other installation
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Old 07-20-2012, 10:15 AM   #5
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

When I bought my truck, it had the "rubber" ball on it. It was totally mush from being soaked in oil. I replaced it with the original type unit and have not had any problems with it. Steers better too!

Last edited by CarlG; 07-20-2012 at 10:22 AM.
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Old 07-20-2012, 10:21 AM   #6
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

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Two spoons also work as a tool to work it over the ball.
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Old 07-20-2012, 10:29 AM   #7
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

I'm not "seeing" what you're writing about. Do you have a pic of the cone?
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Old 07-20-2012, 10:33 AM   #8
Barry B./ Ma.
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

I used to turn the rubber insde out and just push it over the steel ball. I no longer use the rubber ball and have goneback to original.
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Old 07-20-2012, 10:34 AM   #9
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

I would not use the rubber ball setup, call brattons and get the original radius rod set up

Mike
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Old 07-20-2012, 01:27 PM   #10
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

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Originally Posted by CarlG View Post
When I bought my truck, it had the "rubber" ball on it. It was totally mush from being soaked in oil. I replaced it with the original type unit and have not had any problems with it. Steers better too!
I had the same experience with my truck. Better steering and no wobble with original radius caps set properly.
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Old 07-20-2012, 01:58 PM   #11
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

why do you have the rubber ball to begin with??? why not fix the original ball to start with?
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Old 04-09-2021, 07:02 PM   #12
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

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Originally Posted by Dave in MN View Post
Two spoons also work as a tool to work it over the ball.
This is a strong contender for the top 10 list of tricks and tips.

After messing with that rubber ball for 45 minutes, using everything I could think of and inventing several new cuss words I came upon this old thread.

Good job Dave, thank you, less then a minute I had that accursed ball in place, and Mama wasn't even mad about the greasy spoons.

Forget everything else...use the spoons (teaspoons that is)
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Old 04-09-2021, 08:29 PM   #13
Pete
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

There is no rubber ball on mine. I cut the whole front end off my A and installed a Mustang clip.....LOL. (not really, I am just messing with you)
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Old 01-14-2022, 06:50 PM   #14
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

curious as to how you used the spoons.
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Old 01-14-2022, 09:56 PM   #15
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

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curious as to how you used the spoons.
Like this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi7-ipIwVeM
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Old 01-15-2022, 10:05 AM   #16
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

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I can't believe I watched the whole thing
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Old 01-15-2022, 10:10 AM   #17
Kevin in NJ
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

Originally, for the later Fords that used the rubber, there are a pliers things that opens the hole so you can put them on.

I have one in my tools.

For the A you really should not use one as there are options to allow you to use the original.
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Old 01-15-2022, 10:14 AM   #18
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

Well, I watched about 10 seconds and enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRMbv14lkLM
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Old 01-15-2022, 12:31 PM   #19
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave in MN View Post
Two spoons also work as a tool to work it over the ball.
This is the best and fastest way that I have found, every Model A man should have two spoons in his tool box, if not for putting on the balls then to get people to ask "What are the spoons for" Use your imagination for the answer.
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Old 01-15-2022, 02:48 PM   #20
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

wrong post sorry

Last edited by Benson; 01-15-2022 at 06:39 PM.
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Old 01-15-2022, 08:30 PM   #21
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

Just fix it right.
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Old 01-17-2022, 10:02 AM   #22
Brendan
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

first thing is to drill a hole in the end of the ball
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Old 01-23-2022, 06:45 AM   #23
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed in Maine View Post
Today I put the rubber ball on the freshly painted radius rod/front axle. After about 45 minutes of trying to get the ball to go on with a little liquid soap, I felt there had to be an easier way. There is! I took a plastic bottle and cut out a cone shape. The small end goes into the rubber ball and the large end goes over the radius rod ball. Just push, the cone opens the rubber ball equally all around and it easily goes over the steel ball. Before it goes on all the way, take out the plastic cone. It worked the first time in less than a minute. Ed
i know this is a very old post but today i tried the plastic bottle/funnel trick. it worked in a heartbeat. i tried several tricks that i've read here but this was the best for me. thanks for posting.
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Old 01-24-2022, 06:59 AM   #24
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

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I would not use the rubber ball setup, call brattons and get the original radius rod set up

Mike
What is original?
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Old 01-24-2022, 07:59 AM   #25
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

Good one with the spoons!
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Old 01-24-2022, 10:57 AM   #26
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Default Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

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Quote:
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What is original?
Just a steel ball, you can weld up worn spots and file back to a somewhat round shape.
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