The Ford Barn

joncrane · 01-03-2012, 05:25 AM

I am rebuilding the front axle and note that both the wishbone and steering arm balls are worn badly. A previous owner installed a spring loaded connection (ampco I think). Do I replace the balls or shim? I note that Langs does not sell replacement wishbone and steering arm balls but does sell the shim kit. Macs has a new wishbone kit where you cut off the old and weld on a new one. Does, anybody have experience cutting the old one off and welding the new one on - correctly. Seems like if you were off a little bit, you could really mess up the front end geometrics.

Langs has a NOS wishbone but it is a little pricey. The front end booklet says the wishbone ball should be withing .020 of round. I bet mine is egg shaped .250!

Langs also has a replacement steering arm. Anybody have experience using one of these? I am kind of partial to the Ford script parts that are on the car.

How about building up the parts with weld and then filing/gringing?

Thoughts??

dumb person · 01-03-2012, 05:31 PM

i used a replacement steering arm and have had no trouble with it yet so it might work for you too.
As for the wishbone ball it is possible to build it up with weld but it difficult to file it to perfection unless you are skilled and have alot of hours of sitting in front of a fire to spare (like in the depth of winter)

sky1928 · 01-03-2012, 06:48 PM

As it does require a bit of work, welding (I prefer TIG) and then reshaping works out very well.

Mitch · 01-03-2012, 07:27 PM

Being within 0.020 sounds ambitious. Since your out 0.25 now.

friedmac · 01-09-2012, 10:59 PM

I need info concerning my 1925 front end axle at the bottom where my threads are wore out. I heard of a reamer repair kit from Stevens made in New York. The spindle bolt does not tighten in the threads, just the casalated nut supports it. Can you help, thanks Craig

dumb person · 01-10-2012, 04:20 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

For worn out or stripped threads at the bottom there is thought to be a repair kit that has a weld in threaded insert of some kind.

John Otis · 01-10-2012, 07:36 PM

Good front axles are still a dime a dozen. I'd just go find a straight one with good threads. They are very easy to swap.

01-03-2012, 05:25 AM	#1
joncrane Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: rochester Michigan Posts: 78	Front end repairs I am rebuilding the front axle and note that both the wishbone and steering arm balls are worn badly. A previous owner installed a spring loaded connection (ampco I think). Do I replace the balls or shim? I note that Langs does not sell replacement wishbone and steering arm balls but does sell the shim kit. Macs has a new wishbone kit where you cut off the old and weld on a new one. Does, anybody have experience cutting the old one off and welding the new one on - correctly. Seems like if you were off a little bit, you could really mess up the front end geometrics. Langs has a NOS wishbone but it is a little pricey. The front end booklet says the wishbone ball should be withing .020 of round. I bet mine is egg shaped .250! Langs also has a replacement steering arm. Anybody have experience using one of these? I am kind of partial to the Ford script parts that are on the car. How about building up the parts with weld and then filing/gringing? Thoughts??

01-03-2012, 05:31 PM	#2
dumb person Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South pacific island Posts: 1,724	Re: Front end repairs i used a replacement steering arm and have had no trouble with it yet so it might work for you too. As for the wishbone ball it is possible to build it up with weld but it difficult to file it to perfection unless you are skilled and have alot of hours of sitting in front of a fire to spare (like in the depth of winter)

01-03-2012, 06:48 PM	#3
sky1928 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 53	Re: Front end repairs As it does require a bit of work, welding (I prefer TIG) and then reshaping works out very well.

01-03-2012, 07:27 PM	#4
Mitch Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 182	Re: Front end repairs Being within 0.020 sounds ambitious. Since your out 0.25 now.

01-09-2012, 10:59 PM	#5
friedmac Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2	Re: Front end repairs I need info concerning my 1925 front end axle at the bottom where my threads are wore out. I heard of a reamer repair kit from Stevens made in New York. The spindle bolt does not tighten in the threads, just the casalated nut supports it. Can you help, thanks Craig

01-10-2012, 04:20 AM	#6
dumb person Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South pacific island Posts: 1,724	Re: Front end repairs Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) For worn out or stripped threads at the bottom there is thought to be a repair kit that has a weld in threaded insert of some kind.

01-10-2012, 07:36 PM	#7
John Otis Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Vermont and Florida Posts: 188	Re: Front end repairs Good front axles are still a dime a dozen. I'd just go find a straight one with good threads. They are very easy to swap.

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