Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-19-2021, 12:17 PM   #1
RRW
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Bullhead City, AZ
Posts: 62
Send a message via Yahoo to RRW
Default Radius ball cap nuts...

In my Red Model A Vol. I Mechanics Handbook page 1-331 lower right diagram...
my question is re: the two 7/16-20 nuts.
Are the two nuts fastened tightly or loose.
Mine are a tad loose and they have not been 'touched' since I bought the A in 1963. Would they be 'loose' because of the spacers and springs or should they be tight.
If they should be loose would it be because of the spacers and springs?
I don't want to tightened them if they should be loose.
I have no problem shifting.

Thank you in advance.
Randy
RRW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2021, 12:30 PM   #2
RRW
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Bullhead City, AZ
Posts: 62
Send a message via Yahoo to RRW
Default Re: Radius ball cap nuts...

PS - there are cotter pins attached with the nuts.
RRW is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 10-19-2021, 01:12 PM   #3
john charlton
Senior Member
 
john charlton's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,304
Default Re: Radius ball cap nuts...

The nuts should be tight . Remove the cotter keys and tighten to align the cotter key holes and put new cotter keys in . You have slack because of just plain wear . The system works in that the bottom cup has holes which allow the two steel tubes to pass through . The bottom cap is held under tension by the two springs .When the nuts are tight they butt up to the tubes and keep them in place while the bottom cup is pushed up by the two springs . The cup with the lip and hole in it goes to the top . So in effect the bottom cup is allowed a small degree of spring loaded "float"

John in mil weather Suffolk County England .
john charlton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2021, 03:51 PM   #4
RRW
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Bullhead City, AZ
Posts: 62
Send a message via Yahoo to RRW
Default Re: Radius ball cap nuts...

Thanks John,
Your reply is exactly what I needed to know.
Randy
RRW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2021, 08:27 PM   #5
Dave in MN
Senior Member
 
Dave in MN's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Jordan, MN
Posts: 1,410
Default Re: Radius ball cap nuts...

Well said John. So many owners leave them loose and that just promotes destructive wear.
Dave in MN
Dave in MN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2021, 11:31 PM   #6
redmodelt
Senior Member
 
redmodelt's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 6,339
Default Re: Radius ball cap nuts...

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Make sure you are using the correct nuts, they are much larger than the standard 7/16 castle or slotted hex nut.
__________________
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
redmodelt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2021, 08:31 AM   #7
Bob Bidonde
Senior Member
 
Bob Bidonde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 3,425
Default Re: Radius ball cap nuts...

There should be spacers on the bolts that the nuts clamp-up on, so the springs are not overly compressed. Hand tight is all you need do, and install the cotter pins. If the cotter pin holes are away from the nuts, the spacers are too short, likely from wear, so install new ones. Be sure that the spacers pass through the holes in the lower ball cap.
__________________
Bob Bidonde

Last edited by Bob Bidonde; 10-20-2021 at 08:54 AM.
Bob Bidonde is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2021, 08:53 AM   #8
chrs1961815
Senior Member
 
chrs1961815's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Spring Grove, Illinois
Posts: 1,371
Default Re: Radius ball cap nuts...

Are you supposed to bottom the nuts down or tighten them enough only to get the pins in? I have seen both.
__________________
"The more things change, the more they stay the same."
chrs1961815 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2021, 09:15 AM   #9
Badpuppy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Guthrie, OK
Posts: 1,139
Default Re: Radius ball cap nuts...

Quote:
Originally Posted by chrs1961815 View Post
Are you supposed to bottom the nuts down or tighten them enough only to get the pins in? I have seen both.
Bottom. Spacers hold upper cap tight to the frame, lower cap rides on the springs.
Badpuppy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2021, 09:29 AM   #10
Bob Bidonde
Senior Member
 
Bob Bidonde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 3,425
Default Re: Radius ball cap nuts...

Snug the nuts against the spacers.
__________________
Bob Bidonde
Bob Bidonde is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2021, 09:54 AM   #11
john charlton
Senior Member
 
john charlton's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,304
Default Re: Radius ball cap nuts...

The way I have done it many times is to snug up the nut and back off to the next cotter key hole . I do not clamp the assembly together so it is solid, the bottom clamp is then spring loaded which as the new components if used bed in the spring loading will slightly decrease . I have just fitted a new kit to a 1929 AA truck the spacer tubes are for sure bottomed out and I have 1/16" gap between the spring coils .It depends on the length of the spacer tubes I suppose maybe kits vary . IMHO I think the design is that the top cup is held to the bell housing and does not "float" the bottom cup is designed to float under nearly compressed spring pressure . Over the years I haver never had any ill effects from what I do I would not go the finger tight route I think too much slop . I could well be doing it wrong and will happily adjust my nuts if that is the case !!!

John in sunny spells and heavy rain showers Suffolk County England .
john charlton is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:15 AM.