Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze
 

I'll be rebuilding the front end soon, but I want to complete my research first.

I've seen a couple of posts about this subject.
Those posts are hiding from me, like fame and fortune.

Steel.
We all know this is the original material.
Its durable and cheap, but pressed steel parts make lousy bearing surfaces, even when greased.

Teflon:
The suppliers sell them.
To me this is an odd choice because Teflon is a fairly soft material.
In this application its taking a lot of direct and forceful impacts.
I'm not saying they don't work, I'm just surprised if they last.
I like Teflon, it has many great applications, but I'm not sure about this one.

Bronze:
One of the best bearing materials out there, even if you forget the grease.
Do they exist? Have they ever? Is someone making them?
I know I've seen something about them...somewhere.
I can't say they are better or worse, I've seen no reviews.
I like the idea though.
(edit 9-23-2020 2158: This is not bronze impregnated Teflon)

Does someone have information about bronze cups availability and performance?
.

Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze
 

Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze
 

No, just bronze. Not bronze impregnated Teflon.

OH wait! I see it now :)
The suppliers agree with me I think, that the Teflon IS too soft.
Sprinkling bronze into the Teflon as a 'fix' for that sounds really odd :confused:

Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze
 

To me it feels like a simple tradeoff. Steel: durable but more friction. Teflon: easier steering but less durable. There isn't a "best" – you just pick whichever balance you prefer.

Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze
 

Try Silcone based grease with PTFE for the teflon. (not other chassis lubes) Would you rather replace the worn seats over time or the steel balls ?

Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze
 

I have had teflon seats in my Tudor for 12 years and 27K miles. The balls need to be in good shape for any cups. I never have had to adjust mine and they steer easier.

John

Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze
 

I'm surprised that someone doesn't make the seats from bearing grade PEEK.

https://cncplastics.com/materials/pe...SAAEgKRXPD_BwE

Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze
 

PEEK is good stuff. It has lubricity and chemical resistance similar to UHDPE, but its even tougher. Its relatively expensive material though.

Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze
 

I'm surprised no one has any info on Bronze link cups. Anyone??

Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze
 

As duke36 says,
It's all about what's going to be easier to replace/repair down the road...
So:
Which of these various approaches will actually create the least amount of wear on which of the more complex/expensive systems?

Cups are really inexpensive, and it seems to me that I should use whichever cups will wear out fastest since they are wearing down themselves not the balls on the other suspension parts.
[ I'm close to fitting new springs and cups into the tubes and bolting my restored arms/shocks/tubes back on... Pat Musante has just finished installing new shackles and springs front and rear. Looking forward to the first time back on legit suspension since 1971]

My thanks go out to the Barners and all the many folks who are helping keep the Ford legacy alive...
TallyHo,
John

Re: Tie Rod & Drag Link Cups: Steel v. Teflon v. Bronze
 

Thanks to those who contributed to this thread

To close out this thread...

The original question was:
"Does someone have information about bronze cups availability and performance?"

Results:
There was no information found about availability and performance.

Comments:
Bronze cups seem like an intriguing option.
Perhaps someone will make them one day.
Maybe that 'someone' will be me :rolleyes: