Drag Link Ball Wear/How Much??

B

Banky

Senior Member
So I pulled my entire front end apart to clean, paint etc. How worn can the steel balls be before they need replaced? I assume out of round is not good, but I'm just asking.

thanks,
Banky
 
Wiliey Higgins is the man to send them to and get re-balled....(That didnt sound right did it??)
 
I just bought and installed both steering arms. after I had returned the old parts, the parts supplier said they could not use them because the arms had been re-balled as you say. Is this always the case, if so why ?? Does any one referbish them again.
 
there is no Re-Furbish of the balls, they are good or they are replaced. However if they are really not warn you can round them again, I would recommend new balls... Ya know this conversation can be taken out of content!!!! hahhahahahah LOL!!!
 
msmaron said:
Wiliey Higgins is the man to send them to and get re-balled....(That didnt sound right did it??)
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That word always makes me smile also. I think we are sick men!:D:D I just turned 76 today and I wonder if mine are OUT OF ROUND and should be replaced??:eek::eek::eek:
Bill W.
 
Bill,
It is my understanding that replacement balls are made out of teflon. Anyway, that is what I have heard. If yours are original, I think I would keep them.

:o Sorry, I couldn't help myself.....
 
What I meant to say was doe's any body replace the steering balls a second time on the original arms. Bill maybe you just need to soak them in MMO before bed time.:eek: Happy belated birthday.
 
msmaron said:
there is no Re-Furbish of the balls, they are good or they are replaced. However if they are really not warn you can round them again, I would recommend new balls... Ya know this conversation can be taken out of content!!!! hahhahahahah LOL!!!
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Yes you can re-furbish the balls. You do not have to replace them, you can build them up with weld and turn them down to original size.
 
I have always cut off the old balls & drilled the steering arms for the new ball studs &welded them in place.Pitman arms dont have much meat on them to weld a new ball to so its best to buy a new one since they are made now &1&1/2" shorter.Dont weld the balls on yourself unless you are an experienced welder.
 
Generally speaking, most of us that "reball" steering and pitman arms, will not "reball" any that have been worked on before, since that would make the end product less then perfect. If you want some that have been reballed well, and yours have been worked on before , we will sell you an original set that is reballed , and you can keep your altered ones and throw them in the scrap pile. We have thousands of good arms to rebuild, so we throw the poorly "rebuilt' ones away.

Steve@Bert's
 
BRENT in 10-uh-C said:
Cool!! Any possibility you could show a picture or two, --or give an explanation how this is done? Thanks!!
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1 - Sandblast the ball to remove any corrosion and clean well to remove sandblast powder residue.

2 - Heat the ball with acc/oxy to just under dull red.

3 - I use a MIG, build up the ball to over size. Heating the ball prevents cold shuts and cracking. Let cool naturally, do not use water.

4 - Mount arm on a face plate in a lathe to ensure the ball is centre to the lathe tool. Using a face plate allows the use of clamps, adjustable mounts, shims etc for correct alignment. There are small dimples on the rear which are the centre af the ball.

5 - Use a ball turning attachment or a form tool and turn the ball down to original size. Depending on which ball is being turned determines whether a ball turning attachment or a form tool is used.

6 - Finish ball by hand and fine grade emery cloths. Don't do this in the lathe, you run the risk of losing fingers.
 
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