Has anyone out there had experience using the Teflon ball seats in the tubular shock links? Bratton’s catalog states “tested for 25,000 miles with no wear.“ Recommends use in lieu of orig. metallic seats, stating it’s difficult to get the grease all the way into both seats. I’m interested in your “actual use” experience. I appreciate that most folks will have an opinion. But please – opinions from those who haven’t tried them won’t help me. Would especially like to hear from you DIY guys. Thanks, Dick in PA.
Teflon Ball Seats
- Thread starter rlh37ford
- Start date
pat in Santa Cruz
Well-known member
I have them on all my cars. The longest running have been on the SW for 45K miles. they work fine, and due to not needing grease, the links stay much cleaner. It is important to have the balls smooth and round. A rough surface will tear up the teflon pronto.
H. L. Chauvin
Well-known member
FWIW: I installed a complete set of Teflon ball seats, (all shocks & all steering parts), 500 miles or so ago.
All were packed with grease, my choice ...... absolutely no problems.
As far as the real answer to your question, (backed with someone's "vast" & "every day" experience), I can assure you that when Mr. Walt Bratton either advises something on the phone, or prints something in his catalog, you can bet your life on it ......... and after 20 years of following his compassionate advice on parts offered, this is what I have experienced with Mr. Walt Bratton who incidentally converses with thousands of Model A owners every week of his life.
To add to your & our concerns of seeking the real truth today ................... Mr. Bratton never in a 100 years would have smiled & openly advised us that we can keep our health insurance!
Sincerely hope this helps.
All were packed with grease, my choice ...... absolutely no problems.
As far as the real answer to your question, (backed with someone's "vast" & "every day" experience), I can assure you that when Mr. Walt Bratton either advises something on the phone, or prints something in his catalog, you can bet your life on it ......... and after 20 years of following his compassionate advice on parts offered, this is what I have experienced with Mr. Walt Bratton who incidentally converses with thousands of Model A owners every week of his life.
To add to your & our concerns of seeking the real truth today ................... Mr. Bratton never in a 100 years would have smiled & openly advised us that we can keep our health insurance!
Sincerely hope this helps.
Dale G.
Senior Member
Mr.rlh,
Maybe this will help you, first of all, these ball seats for the shock links are made out of Delrin which is harder than Teflon. The ball seats for steering are Teflon (White in color).
I have been using the Delrin ball seats for years on all my Model A's and just recently had to change out a shock and checked the link at 36000 plus miles. The ball seats look just like the day I put them in. I repacked the link with grease and put it back on the car. A machinist friend of mine many years ago in the 60s used to make them out of teflon for all the club members and after he retired in the 70s I asked him if he had any of those left. He gave me a set and I asked why he never put these out on the market. He said he never had the time but that I should do it and when you do, make them out of Delrin which is a better material for this application. Well I did just that and now you can have them from Bratton's as I am the maker of this product. Dale Gosa.
Maybe this will help you, first of all, these ball seats for the shock links are made out of Delrin which is harder than Teflon. The ball seats for steering are Teflon (White in color).
I have been using the Delrin ball seats for years on all my Model A's and just recently had to change out a shock and checked the link at 36000 plus miles. The ball seats look just like the day I put them in. I repacked the link with grease and put it back on the car. A machinist friend of mine many years ago in the 60s used to make them out of teflon for all the club members and after he retired in the 70s I asked him if he had any of those left. He gave me a set and I asked why he never put these out on the market. He said he never had the time but that I should do it and when you do, make them out of Delrin which is a better material for this application. Well I did just that and now you can have them from Bratton's as I am the maker of this product. Dale Gosa.
Dale: Thank you for the additional technical input, clarifying we are really dealing with Delrin. ~Dick (or Mr. rlh)
denis4x4
Well-known member
I switched to the teflon/delrin ball seats about five years ago on the tie rods, shock links and drag link. When I installed a shortened pitman the other day, I checked the cups in the drag link and they were like new. Like the others here, I still grease all the fittings and have replaced the original press in lube fittings with threaded Zerk fittings.
Skeezixx
Senior Member
I put them on the Tudor four years ago and not a speck of trouble since.
My logic at the time was that I'd prefer the softer replaceable Delrin cup wear than the steel ball on the steering arm etc.. As it turns out excessive wear is not an issue. I haven't even had to adjust them.
My logic at the time was that I'd prefer the softer replaceable Delrin cup wear than the steel ball on the steering arm etc.. As it turns out excessive wear is not an issue. I haven't even had to adjust them.