The Ford Barn

Graeme / New Zealand · 10-19-2013, 12:50 PM

Can anyone please tell me the easiest way of replacing the rubber ball on the suspension? Do I you have to lift the car to do it or take the weight off the wheels? Is it supposed to be installed dry or should a rubber grease be used?

thanks

GB

Lawson Cox · 10-19-2013, 01:20 PM

Remove the two bolts that hold the rubber ball cap in place. Then, jack up the front end by placing the jack in the center of the front spring. The wishbones will be lowered by this action where you can remove the rubber ball. Cut off old ball, or tear it off somehow.

Some replacement rubber balls have a hole in the back end, some don't. If it does not have the small hole in the back side of the ball, then punch one out. Then, hold the new ball up to the steel ball on the wish bone then use an air hose to blow into the small air hole and the ball will slip right on.

When you get the ball on, lower the car and replace the cap and bolts. The ball is dry, no lubrication.

Phil Gillespie · 10-19-2013, 02:38 PM

Thanks for that clear,exact information as have a ball for replacement on my 34.
Wondered about the fitting side

Graeme / New Zealand · 10-19-2013, 03:42 PM

Thanks you for those clear instructions Lawson. you're a "walking workshop manual".

cheers
GB

Phil Gillespie · 10-19-2013, 09:58 PM

just changed mine this afternoon. Just removed the cover, wishbone dropped a little ,so did not need to jack up. The air worked a treat for fitting of rubber ball, already had the small hole on the rear.
Many thanks always good to get info, and good instructions for on going repairs.
Phil
NZ

Mart · 10-20-2013, 08:05 AM

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Phil, you wishbone dropped because the spring is above the axle. 32-34 are alike in this. 35 up have the spring in front of the axle so the end of the wishbone is pushed upwards into the ball cup. That's why you have to relieve the weight off the spring to allow the 35 up wishbone end to drop away from the cup.

Mart.

Phil Gillespie · 10-20-2013, 12:53 PM

Ah that's good .As there is a reason for every thing and much appreciated for your info Mart. Looking again as you described the set up the dropping of the wishbone is obvious. Some more info learnt.
Phil
NZ

10-19-2013, 12:50 PM	#1
Graeme / New Zealand Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lower Hutt , New Zealand Posts: 2,126	repacing the "rubber ball" Can anyone please tell me the easiest way of replacing the rubber ball on the suspension? Do I you have to lift the car to do it or take the weight off the wheels? Is it supposed to be installed dry or should a rubber grease be used? thanks GB __________________ "you can't make honey out of dog sh*t" "You're a long time looking at the lid"

10-19-2013, 01:20 PM	#2
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: repacing the "rubber ball" Remove the two bolts that hold the rubber ball cap in place. Then, jack up the front end by placing the jack in the center of the front spring. The wishbones will be lowered by this action where you can remove the rubber ball. Cut off old ball, or tear it off somehow. Some replacement rubber balls have a hole in the back end, some don't. If it does not have the small hole in the back side of the ball, then punch one out. Then, hold the new ball up to the steel ball on the wish bone then use an air hose to blow into the small air hole and the ball will slip right on. When you get the ball on, lower the car and replace the cap and bolts. The ball is dry, no lubrication. __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm". Last edited by Lawson Cox; 10-19-2013 at 02:11 PM.

10-19-2013, 02:38 PM	#3
Phil Gillespie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Christchurch New Zealand Posts: 1,611	Re: repacing the "rubber ball" Thanks for that clear,exact information as have a ball for replacement on my 34. Wondered about the fitting side

10-19-2013, 03:42 PM	#4
Graeme / New Zealand Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lower Hutt , New Zealand Posts: 2,126	Re: repacing the "rubber ball" Thanks you for those clear instructions Lawson. you're a "walking workshop manual". cheers GB __________________ "you can't make honey out of dog sh*t" "You're a long time looking at the lid"

10-19-2013, 09:58 PM	#5
Phil Gillespie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Christchurch New Zealand Posts: 1,611	Re: repacing the "rubber ball" just changed mine this afternoon. Just removed the cover, wishbone dropped a little ,so did not need to jack up. The air worked a treat for fitting of rubber ball, already had the small hole on the rear. Many thanks always good to get info, and good instructions for on going repairs. Phil NZ

10-20-2013, 08:05 AM	#6
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,752	Re: repacing the "rubber ball" Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Phil, you wishbone dropped because the spring is above the axle. 32-34 are alike in this. 35 up have the spring in front of the axle so the end of the wishbone is pushed upwards into the ball cup. That's why you have to relieve the weight off the spring to allow the 35 up wishbone end to drop away from the cup. Mart.

10-20-2013, 12:53 PM	#7
Phil Gillespie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Christchurch New Zealand Posts: 1,611	Re: repacing the "rubber ball" Ah that's good .As there is a reason for every thing and much appreciated for your info Mart. Looking again as you described the set up the dropping of the wishbone is obvious. Some more info learnt. Phil NZ