Radius rod rubber ball???

JOHNNY1948

JOHNNY1948

Member
I need to replace the rubber Ball/Bushing on the front radius rods of my '47 Ford Coupe. Looks pretty straight forward, but are there any tricks to making it an easy job. (jacking, etc). Thanks, Johnny
 
Once you get it unbolted, pull the wishbone down and block it with a piece of wood. The new rubber ball should have a small hole opposite the large hole. To make it go on easy ,put an air hose to the small hole while holding the rubber ball a against the ball on the wishbone. It will jump on there.
 
I have soaked mine in boiling water for a few minutes. That has worked well for me.
 
So does sprayed-on silicone, which helps preserve the rubber as well. Be sure to clean off the ball first whatever method of installation you choose.
 
When replacing the radius rod rubber does it make a difference if the jack stands are placed under the front axle or should they be under the frame rail?
 
don-wi said:
When replacing the radius rod rubber does it make a difference if the jack stands are placed under the front axle or should they be under the frame rail?
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I'd say under the frame rail. When you're disassembling and assembling, you'll be moving the wishbone and the axle around. Supporting the car on the axle would make moving the parts around VERY difficult. And, you don't want to be moving anything that's on the jack stands for fear of causing them to move off the stands. IMHO!
 
If you place the jackstands under the axle you will struggle to pull the wishbone down.

Jack stands under the frame, and the wishbone will want to fall away under it's own weight. You might place a light jack under the rear of the wishbone so you can control it's lowering and raising back into position.

You are working under the centre of the car, make sure it is supported safely.

Mart.
 
Once the rubber ball is installed on the radius rod steel ball and you have the cast caps in place, is there a recommended torque for the bolts?. There are NO spacers or springs used with the rubber ball, so, do I tighten up the nuts to a certain torque? I plan on spraying the rubber ball with silicone on the inside and outside of the rubber ball.
 
When I replaced the 'rubber ball' on the wishbones in our '39 CS & '39 LZ, I did it with the cars up on the four post lift. I simply pulled the wishbone down, put the rubber ball in the cross member, with the hole facing the ball on the wishbone, and let the wishbone go. The weight of the car forced the wishbone ball into the rubber ball.
 
Bobby Vee recorded Red Rubber Ball in '60 and it became a hit for him in '61. The song was also recorded by Marty Wilde and Gary Lewis and the Playboys. The Cyrkle released their version in '66. Gene Pitney and Aaron Schroeder co-wrote the song... it had absolutely nothing to do with Ford wishbones... LOL :eek: ;)
 
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Maybe they had the same experience, thus the inspiration for the song.
Mine never bounced back to me
 
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