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Old 10-30-2018, 09:55 PM   #1
Mad Mac
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Default Radius rod ball - how tight?

I unbolted my front wishbone to look at the radius rod ball (see pics). It is the original type without a rubber ball. The ball seems OK as it still has the black paint from an earlier restoration, although I have not measured its diameter. The bolt heads may be slightly "wallowed out" but the rod in the groove across their heads is still holding them well enough to allow the nuts to be tightened. My problem is that I don't know how tight the nuts should be and if I tighten them too much, they rise above the split-pin holes in the bolts. Tightening them up further would be possible if I used longer springs or maybe put a spacer-washer between the housing and the springs. That would surely be easier than installing spacer washers under the bolt heads inside the housing, as described in some previous threads? How tight is too tight?
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Old 10-30-2018, 10:54 PM   #2
Tacoma Bob
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Default Re: Radius rod ball - how tight?

Just enough to get the cotter pins in the holes.
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Old 10-31-2018, 02:58 AM   #3
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: Radius rod ball - how tight?

The steel sleeves inside the 2 springs should act as spacers to keep from going too tight with the large nuts.
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Old 10-31-2018, 04:25 AM   #4
jw hash
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Default Re: Radius rod ball - how tight?

your ball looks to be in good shape. you should have that gap. when you do not have a gap the ball or the cups are badly warn. some of the reproduction bolts are to long. and sometime the bolt head ware down into the bell housing. I have added a washer under the head of the bolts.
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Old 10-31-2018, 05:29 AM   #5
Patrick L.
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Default Re: Radius rod ball - how tight?

It appears as though you have the spacers/sleeves installed, thats all thats needed.
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Old 10-31-2018, 09:33 AM   #6
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Default Re: Radius rod ball - how tight?

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick L. View Post
It appears as though you have the spacers/sleeves installed, thats all thats needed.
Yes as stated; the plates' spacing appears to be about 1/8" which is great
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Old 10-31-2018, 12:30 PM   #7
Big hammer
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Default Re: Radius rod ball - how tight?

The right picture looks better to me, or you could put a washer under the nut for the cotter pin to work
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Old 10-31-2018, 02:18 PM   #8
Dave in MN
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Default Re: Radius rod ball - how tight?

IMO: The nuts should be pretty snug against the sleeves and then tightened so the cotter pin can be slipped into the next opening in the crown nut. If these bolts are left loose, the lower portion of the socket can move forward and back as the radius ball puts pressure against the components. I think much of the "wallowed" condition of the bellhousings and bolts we find in our cars is from leaving the nuts too loose.
If the cotter pin hole is beyond the slot in the nut when tightened, add a washer(s) to the assembly that spaces the nut away from the sleeve. So...washer goes between the nut and the sleeve.

When the nuts are tightened against the sleeves, the correct size spring will still have and allow some movement of the bottom socket/plate.
Good Day!

Last edited by Dave in MN; 10-31-2018 at 02:37 PM.
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Old 10-31-2018, 02:42 PM   #9
Mad Mac
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Default Re: Radius rod ball - how tight?

Thanks everyone. I think I will do what Dave suggests in post #8.
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