Wishbone ball question

[iverson]

I've read a lot of old posts and it seems the cast iron is worn so the bolts are going down so the cotter pins are too far down a washer should fix that before I do that what is the normal play or how tight should it be? if the pics show iit that's after I tightened the nuts one picture with the gap is prying the wishbone down with a screw driver does that seem normal? We put over 300 miles on the last week or so with the nuts all the way loose and it drives fine I just don't think it's right I never had the cap off so don't know how worn things are any suggestions?

[Joe K]

First of all clean up the area so you can see what you have.

Next remove the cap and see how "egg shaped" the ball is.

You can probably use the washer whether the ball is worn or not. The whole object of the setup is that the pressed steel cap is "spring loaded" and if you tighten the bolts until they meet the spacers, your cap is still being held to the ball by the springs and not the bolts.

But it works better clean - and lasts longer too.

Below see the parts. Note that the sleeves fit in the holes in the cap cover. And only allow the nuts to be tightened up to the sleeve.



Joe K

[Franchise_24]

I do not recommend getting the rubber ball that goes on the wishbone ball as from what I have found and others have said is it is no good, and caused more issues than it solved.

[iverson]

Joe K I took your advice. the ball and bolts look good the spacers and springs are bad. I will order new. is the wear on the holes on lower cap a problem? Should I replace it? I am guessing the bolts wore into the cast iron and nobody snugged up the nuts so everything bounced around and caused the wear I don't want to take out the engine to fix it right so I think a few washers to get nuts out to cotter pin holes should fix it?

[wrndln]

Model A vendors sell a "cupped" washer that can be used to make up for a moderately worn wishbone ball. Bratton's PN is 4691 for this washer. It is only $1.
Rusty Nelson

[Dick So. Cal.]

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I had a worn ball in my last restoration. I don't like the ball fix.
I ended up building the ball back up with weld to 1 1/2" dia., filed it nice and round, put it together with original hardware, and it work just fine.

Does anyone else do it this way?

Dick

[Bob C]

The ball should be 1 1/2", your looks good from the picture. Look at the picture Joe K
posted and you will see the lower cap has larger holes for the sleeve to fit thru.

Bob

[iverson]

my plan is to order the springs and spacers and leave the rest alone.nice day and my uncle wants to go for coffee so I put it all back together with grease and a washer under each nut. it snugged up and cotter pins now hold nuts. I cant find my 2 inch mike so didint measure ball but seems pretty good thanks