Ball size matters

[Paul from Maine]

When I reinstalled my rebuilt motor a couple of weeks ago, I replaced the neoprene ball on the front wishbone and threw the old one out. This caused a pull to the left when braking and changed the position of the steering wheel when going straight ahead. I was looking at another old ball from another old chassis in the barn and realized it was a great deal larger and thicker than the new one I had just installed. I went to the Dollar Tree after work today and bought a hollow transparent rubber ball filled with some liquid and glitter. I cut a hole in it and slipped it over the new neoprene ball on my wish bone. I had to use an old screw jack under the ball cap to compress it enough too thread the nuts on the bolts under the fly wheel, but once threaded, the cap compressed the rubber ball and the nuts snugged up tight. Took it for a test drive and Voila! The strong pull to the left upon braking disappeared completely and the steering wheel returned to its old central position. So ball size does matter in the steering geometry equation. The current replacement balls are much to small. Order two or three from the A venders or by a thicker Chinese one for a dollar at the Dollar Tree.

 

[Richard in Anaheim CA]

Paul,

I'm glad you got your problem solved with a ball from dollar store however the Model A never came with a rubber ball on the wishbone.

You might dig up an original all metal set and be prepared for when your dollar store ball fails to return to original parts.

Richard
Anaheim CA

 

[29RPU]

Yes, good fix, but I have a chicken of the same material and cost that poops out an egg when you squeeze it and without any strain he's (that would be a she) dead after only 4 months. I have a feeling the dollar tree ball will be rolling out of it's current home, in many different scientific forms....gas, liquid and chuncks. How big is it? Consider something more durable, but with the same idea...

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

The steel ball is supposed to be 1 1/2" and have steel plates around it. If you are using the cast iron plates, they are made for the rubber cover and are too large for the stock ball.

 

[Paul from Maine]

Ya, I keep meaning to order the original setup, but just haven't gotten around to it. Probably the steel ball on the end of the wishbone is worn too small for the original setup, but I'd like to try it anyways. I posted this just to point out that a little slack in the system can cause significant steering changes and braking problems. Also I wanted to make the point that the replacement rubber balls offered by the venders today is much thinner than the ones offered by the aftermarket 50 years ago,

 

[RHD]

Steel on steel is the only way to go.

 

[CarlG]

Ya, I keep meaning to order the original setup, but just haven't gotten around to it. Probably the steel ball on the end of the wishbone is worn too small for the original setup, but I'd like to try it anyways...

When you order the original steel parts, be sure to order the dimpled steel washers that will make up for a worn ball. They should be available from the same supplier that you get the original setup from.

 

[Paul from Maine]

When you order the original steel parts, be sure to order the dimpled steel washers that will make up for a worn ball. They should be available from the same supplier that you get the original setup from.

Will do! Didn't think of that! Thanks!

 

[Robert]

While the Model A was never equipped with a rubber ball type wishbone spacer, these spacers were sold thru Ford parts outlets. I've got one with Ford script...used to have the blue and gray box...!@#$% mice ate it.