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07-19-2012, 05:18 PM | #1 |
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Location: Washington Cty., ME or Flagler Cty., FL
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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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07-19-2012, 08:23 PM | #2 |
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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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07-20-2012, 08:55 AM | #3 |
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Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball
Neat idea, like a shoe horn, but cone shaped
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07-20-2012, 10:03 AM | #4 |
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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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Skip Keyser Napa Valley A's Olympic Vintage Auto Club (1980-1982) MARC of San Diego (1977-1978) MAFCA (since 1978) MARC (since 1977) ---------- Model A owners belong in their Model A’s; Model A’s belong on the road. Last edited by Napa Skip; 07-20-2012 at 10:25 AM. Reason: add caveat about not recommending one or the other installation |
07-20-2012, 10:15 AM | #5 |
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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. |
07-20-2012, 10:21 AM | #6 |
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Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball
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07-20-2012, 10:29 AM | #7 |
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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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07-20-2012, 10:33 AM | #8 |
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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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07-20-2012, 10:34 AM | #9 |
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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 |
07-20-2012, 01:27 PM | #10 |
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Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball
I had the same experience with my truck. Better steering and no wobble with original radius caps set properly.
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07-20-2012, 01:58 PM | #11 |
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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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04-09-2021, 07:02 PM | #12 |
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Location: Shawnee, Ok
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Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber 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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Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B |
04-09-2021, 08:29 PM | #13 |
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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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01-14-2022, 06:50 PM | #14 |
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Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball
curious as to how you used the spoons.
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01-14-2022, 09:56 PM | #15 |
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Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball
Like this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi7-ipIwVeM
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01-15-2022, 10:05 AM | #16 | |
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Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball
Quote:
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01-15-2022, 10:10 AM | #17 |
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Location: South East NJ
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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. |
01-15-2022, 10:14 AM | #18 |
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Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball
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01-15-2022, 12:31 PM | #19 |
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Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber 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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Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B |
01-15-2022, 02:48 PM | #20 |
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Re: Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball
wrong post sorry
Last edited by Benson; 01-15-2022 at 06:39 PM. |
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