Installing Radius Rod Rubber Ball

E

Ed in Maine

Well-known member
Today I put the rubber ball on the freshly painted radius rod/front axle. After about 45 minutes of trying to get the ball to go on with a little liquid soap, I felt there had to be an easier way. There is! I took a plastic bottle and cut out a cone shape. The small end goes into the rubber ball and the large end goes over the radius rod ball. Just push, the cone opens the rubber ball equally all around and it easily goes over the steel ball. Before it goes on all the way, take out the plastic cone. It worked the first time in less than a minute. Ed
 
If similar to Snyder's a-3436, the "rubber" ball is actually made of neoprene and should give good service in an oil environment. (This is not meant as an endorsement or recommendation of the neoprene ball over the original installation.)
 
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When I bought my truck, it had the "rubber" ball on it. It was totally mush from being soaked in oil. I replaced it with the original type unit and have not had any problems with it. Steers better too!
 
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I used to turn the rubber insde out and just push it over the steel ball. I no longer use the rubber ball and have goneback to original.
 
I would not use the rubber ball setup, call brattons and get the original radius rod set up

Mike
 
CarlG said:
When I bought my truck, it had the "rubber" ball on it. It was totally mush from being soaked in oil. I replaced it with the original type unit and have not had any problems with it. Steers better too!
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I had the same experience with my truck. Better steering and no wobble with original radius caps set properly.
 
Dave in MN said:
Two spoons also work as a tool to work it over the ball.
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This is a strong contender for the top 10 list of tricks and tips.

After messing with that rubber ball for 45 minutes, using everything I could think of and inventing several new cuss words I came upon this old thread.

Good job Dave, thank you, less then a minute I had that accursed ball in place, and Mama wasn't even mad about the greasy spoons.

Forget everything else...use the spoons (teaspoons that is)
 
There is no rubber ball on mine. I cut the whole front end off my A and installed a Mustang clip.....LOL. (not really, I am just messing with you)
 
Originally, for the later Fords that used the rubber, there are a pliers things that opens the hole so you can put them on.

I have one in my tools.

For the A you really should not use one as there are options to allow you to use the original.
 
Dave in MN said:
Two spoons also work as a tool to work it over the ball.
Click to expand...

This is the best and fastest way that I have found, every Model A man should have two spoons in his tool box, if not for putting on the balls then to get people to ask "What are the spoons for" Use your imagination for the answer.
 
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