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Old 09-23-2020, 09:09 PM   #1
1930-Pickup
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Default Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze

I'll be rebuilding the front end soon, but I want to complete my research first.

I've seen a couple of posts about this subject.
Those posts are hiding from me, like fame and fortune.

Steel.
We all know this is the original material.
Its durable and cheap, but pressed steel parts make lousy bearing surfaces, even when greased.

Teflon:
The suppliers sell them.
To me this is an odd choice because Teflon is a fairly soft material.
In this application its taking a lot of direct and forceful impacts.
I'm not saying they don't work, I'm just surprised if they last.
I like Teflon, it has many great applications, but I'm not sure about this one.

Bronze:
One of the best bearing materials out there, even if you forget the grease.
Do they exist? Have they ever? Is someone making them?
I know I've seen something about them...somewhere.
I can't say they are better or worse, I've seen no reviews.
I like the idea though.
(edit 9-23-2020 2158: This is not bronze impregnated Teflon)

Does someone have information about bronze cups availability and performance?
.
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Last edited by 1930-Pickup; 09-24-2020 at 12:02 AM.
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Old 09-23-2020, 11:29 PM   #2
Y-Blockhead
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Default Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze

MAC's has all three, take your pick. I have had Teflon in my Town Sedan for ~6 years now, no problems. I have never tried the bronze impregnated Teflon one. I think I would try them next time around. The bronze impregnated Teflon were not offered when I put my current set in.

Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 09-23-2020 at 11:36 PM.
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Old 09-23-2020, 11:55 PM   #3
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Default Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze

Quote:
Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead View Post
MAC's has all three, take your pick. I have had Teflon in my Town Sedan for ~6 years now, no problems. I have never tried the bronze impregnated Teflon one. I think I would try them next time around. The bronze impregnated Teflon were not offered when I put my current set in.
No, just bronze. Not bronze impregnated Teflon.

OH wait! I see it now
The suppliers agree with me I think, that the Teflon IS too soft.
Sprinkling bronze into the Teflon as a 'fix' for that sounds really odd
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Old 09-24-2020, 06:58 AM   #4
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Default Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze

To me it feels like a simple tradeoff. Steel: durable but more friction. Teflon: easier steering but less durable. There isn't a "best" – you just pick whichever balance you prefer.
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Old 09-24-2020, 10:10 AM   #5
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Default Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze

Try Silcone based grease with PTFE for the teflon. (not other chassis lubes) Would you rather replace the worn seats over time or the steel balls ?
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Old 09-24-2020, 04:30 PM   #6
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Default Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze

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I have had teflon seats in my Tudor for 12 years and 27K miles. The balls need to be in good shape for any cups. I never have had to adjust mine and they steer easier.

John
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Old 09-25-2020, 10:39 AM   #7
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Default Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze

I'm surprised that someone doesn't make the seats from bearing grade PEEK.

https://cncplastics.com/materials/pe...SAAEgKRXPD_BwE
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Old 09-25-2020, 01:59 PM   #8
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Default Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze

Quote:
Originally Posted by katy View Post
I'm surprised that someone doesn't make the seats from bearing grade PEEK.

https://cncplastics.com/materials/pe...SAAEgKRXPD_BwE
PEEK is good stuff. It has lubricity and chemical resistance similar to UHDPE, but its even tougher. Its relatively expensive material though.
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Old 09-25-2020, 02:02 PM   #9
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Default Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze

I'm surprised no one has any info on Bronze link cups. Anyone??
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Old 09-25-2020, 05:26 PM   #10
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Default Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze

As duke36 says,
It's all about what's going to be easier to replace/repair down the road...
So:
Which of these various approaches will actually create the least amount of wear on which of the more complex/expensive systems?

Cups are really inexpensive, and it seems to me that I should use whichever cups will wear out fastest since they are wearing down themselves not the balls on the other suspension parts.
[ I'm close to fitting new springs and cups into the tubes and bolting my restored arms/shocks/tubes back on... Pat Musante has just finished installing new shackles and springs front and rear. Looking forward to the first time back on legit suspension since 1971]

My thanks go out to the Barners and all the many folks who are helping keep the Ford legacy alive...
TallyHo,
John
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Old 10-01-2020, 08:39 PM   #11
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Default Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze

Thanks to those who contributed to this thread

To close out this thread...

The original question was:
"Does someone have information about bronze cups availability and performance?"

Results:
There was no information found about availability and performance.

Comments:
Bronze cups seem like an intriguing option.
Perhaps someone will make them one day.
Maybe that 'someone' will be me
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