The Ford Barn

Leatherback 57 · 02-22-2018, 10:46 AM

My wishbone came loose on my 29 causing a shimmy. Found that one of the nuts had cracked. When taking apart it had the rubber ball cap assy that was worn out. Also the felt pad was up inside. I ordered new assy from snyders with the felt. What is proper way to install rubber on ball and how is felt installed or is it nessesary with rubber style?

daveymc29 · 02-22-2018, 10:53 AM

I squirt some WD-40 into the ball and push it onto the ball. I don't use the felt. Works for me though there are a number of folks that condemn the rubber ball as not proper and doesn't work. They advocate building up or replacing the ball and use only the original set up. Works for them.

Gary WA · 02-22-2018, 10:57 AM

Rubber ball is a fix,should replace ball by welding and reshaping to proper size.felts for lubrication.

WHN · 02-22-2018, 11:06 AM

How is the rest of your front end?

Shimmy could be a combination of worn parts.

If you have not rebuilt front end and you decide to remove wishbone, that’s the time to get things sorted out. Enjoy.

Leatherback 57 · 02-22-2018, 11:19 AM

My front end has all been rebuilt. My ball looks to be in good shape but has rubber ball cover installed and was worn out. Is there spec diameter for original ball? If good I'll go back to original. I set toe in to 1/16. Was at 3/8 toe out!!!

WHN · 02-22-2018, 11:53 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Leatherback 57

My front end has all been rebuilt. My ball looks to be in good shape but has rubber ball cover installed and was worn out. Is there spec diameter for original ball? If good I'll go back to original. I set toe in to 1/16. Was at 3/8 toe out!!!

A lot of guys do not like the rubber ball. Having said that. If just replacing the rubber ball will get you back to where you want to be? That sounds like the best thing to do. Will most likely last for a good number of years.

If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.

gearloose · 02-22-2018, 12:06 PM

What is the spec diameter for the original ball? Be a good thing to know so you know what needs to be done, other than that you are guessing.

BillLee/Chandler, TX · 02-22-2018, 12:36 PM

This article might be of interest.

http://cedarcreekas.org/TechTopics/RadiusBallRandR.pdf

BILL WILLIAMSON · 02-22-2018, 12:37 PM

Some just use the CUPPED shaped spacer washer & NO RUBBER BALL. Suppliers sell them. QUICK & EASY job.
Bill Tight

Tom Wesenberg · 02-22-2018, 02:54 PM

The ball is 1 1/2".
My 29 had the rubber cover, so I removed the rubber and cast iron caps, and installed the original style steel caps. I still had at least 1/8" gap between the caps, so it was fine.

Synchro909 · 02-22-2018, 04:11 PM

When one of my cars started to shimmy, I checked things over and found amongst other things that the wishbone ball was badly worn. I put in one of those cupped washers and all was good there - for a while. I later found that the washer had slipped from the top of the ball to now being under it. I threw it away and built up the ball with weld and reshaped it with a flap disc and 1 1/2" washer I made. All has been good for about 20,000 miles since.
I see the rubber ball and cupped washer as stop gap, temporary repairs. Fix it right, fix it once.

gearloose · 02-22-2018, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

The ball is 1 1/2".
My 29 had the rubber cover, so I removed the rubber and cast iron caps, and installed the original style steel caps. I still had at least 1/8" gap between the caps, so it was fine.

My radius ball measured 1.479. I have been using the original style so maybe I will add the washer and see how the bolts tighten up.

sjhark · 02-22-2018, 11:29 PM

Does the washer go on the top or the bottom of the ball?

daren007 · 02-23-2018, 08:00 AM

Install the felt above the ball inside the bell housing. Hold in place with the pin through it.

100IH · 02-23-2018, 10:44 AM

sjhark, I say on top because that positions the axle for more caster. Under would be less caster like a model T and more apt to wobble or shimmy.

Leatherback 57 · 02-23-2018, 12:04 PM

My ball measures 1.4960and 1.4955. Is that ok to use original type assy?

Russ/40 · 02-23-2018, 01:04 PM

Assuming your two measurements are in horizontal and vertical planes, your ball is very round. Sounds great.

sjhark · 02-23-2018, 05:44 PM

Thank you, 100IH! That was exactly why I was asking.

Tom Wesenberg · 02-24-2018, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leatherback 57

My ball measures 1.4960and 1.4955. Is that ok to use original type assy?

That's as good as a new part.

dave in australia · 02-27-2018, 02:00 AM

This was how I repaired mine.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=143140

02-22-2018, 10:46 AM	#1
Leatherback 57 Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Gilroy California Posts: 42	Wishbone ball My wishbone came loose on my 29 causing a shimmy. Found that one of the nuts had cracked. When taking apart it had the rubber ball cap assy that was worn out. Also the felt pad was up inside. I ordered new assy from snyders with the felt. What is proper way to install rubber on ball and how is felt installed or is it nessesary with rubber style?

02-22-2018, 10:53 AM	#2
daveymc29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 1,553	Re: Wishbone ball I squirt some WD-40 into the ball and push it onto the ball. I don't use the felt. Works for me though there are a number of folks that condemn the rubber ball as not proper and doesn't work. They advocate building up or replacing the ball and use only the original set up. Works for them.

02-22-2018, 10:57 AM	#3
Gary WA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island Posts: 4,102	Re: Wishbone ball Rubber ball is a fix,should replace ball by welding and reshaping to proper size.felts for lubrication. __________________ www.whidbeymodelaclub.com

02-22-2018, 11:06 AM	#4
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,821	Re: Wishbone ball How is the rest of your front end? Shimmy could be a combination of worn parts. If you have not rebuilt front end and you decide to remove wishbone, that’s the time to get things sorted out. Enjoy.

02-22-2018, 11:19 AM	#5
Leatherback 57 Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Gilroy California Posts: 42	Re: Wishbone ball My front end has all been rebuilt. My ball looks to be in good shape but has rubber ball cover installed and was worn out. Is there spec diameter for original ball? If good I'll go back to original. I set toe in to 1/16. Was at 3/8 toe out!!!

02-22-2018, 12:06 PM	#7
gearloose Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: South Berwick,Maine Posts: 59	Re: Wishbone ball What is the spec diameter for the original ball? Be a good thing to know so you know what needs to be done, other than that you are guessing. Last edited by gearloose; 02-22-2018 at 12:12 PM.

02-22-2018, 12:36 PM	#8
BillLee/Chandler, TX Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: The sticks of east Texas Posts: 474	Re: Wishbone ball This article might be of interest. http://cedarcreekas.org/TechTopics/RadiusBallRandR.pdf __________________ Bill Lee http://www.CedarCreekAs.org

02-22-2018, 12:37 PM	#9
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Wishbone ball Some just use the CUPPED shaped spacer washer & NO RUBBER BALL. Suppliers sell them. QUICK & EASY job. Bill Tight __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

02-22-2018, 02:54 PM	#10
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Wishbone ball The ball is 1 1/2". My 29 had the rubber cover, so I removed the rubber and cast iron caps, and installed the original style steel caps. I still had at least 1/8" gap between the caps, so it was fine.

02-22-2018, 04:11 PM	#11
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Wishbone ball When one of my cars started to shimmy, I checked things over and found amongst other things that the wishbone ball was badly worn. I put in one of those cupped washers and all was good there - for a while. I later found that the washer had slipped from the top of the ball to now being under it. I threw it away and built up the ball with weld and reshaped it with a flap disc and 1 1/2" washer I made. All has been good for about 20,000 miles since. I see the rubber ball and cupped washer as stop gap, temporary repairs. Fix it right, fix it once. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

02-22-2018, 11:29 PM	#13
sjhark Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Brandon, SD Posts: 74	Re: Wishbone ball Does the washer go on the top or the bottom of the ball? __________________ If earthworms had machine guns, we'd all be in trouble!

02-23-2018, 08:00 AM	#14
daren007 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Saint Cloud Mn Posts: 745	Re: Wishbone ball Install the felt above the ball inside the bell housing. Hold in place with the pin through it.

02-23-2018, 10:44 AM	#15
100IH Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 970	Re: Wishbone ball sjhark, I say on top because that positions the axle for more caster. Under would be less caster like a model T and more apt to wobble or shimmy.

02-23-2018, 12:04 PM	#16
Leatherback 57 Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Gilroy California Posts: 42	Re: Wishbone ball My ball measures 1.4960and 1.4955. Is that ok to use original type assy?

02-23-2018, 01:04 PM	#17
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Wishbone ball Assuming your two measurements are in horizontal and vertical planes, your ball is very round. Sounds great.

02-23-2018, 05:44 PM	#18
sjhark Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Brandon, SD Posts: 74	Re: Wishbone ball Thank you, 100IH! That was exactly why I was asking. __________________ If earthworms had machine guns, we'd all be in trouble!

02-27-2018, 02:00 AM	#20
dave in australia Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,175	Re: Wishbone ball This was how I repaired mine. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=143140