The Ford Barn

twilder · 08-29-2013, 07:23 AM

Getting ready to repair radius ball. Old one has no springs nor spacers. Castle nuts ran all the way up snug. I know this isn't right, but the studs appear to be too short. Not long enough to add spacers and springs. Can these be adjusted? Are they just threaded up into the bell housing? Can old studs be replaced fairly easily?

gweilbaker · 08-29-2013, 07:47 AM

They are bolts with special grooved heads that are held by a pin. The pin holds both and it is not easy job for someone with large fingers. You can see the pin above the ball assembly in the video--->https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CB2L_1xSD0

Dave in MN · 08-29-2013, 08:01 AM

Replacement is possible by blocking the radius/front yoke down and then working through the hole in the bottom of the clutch housing (bell housing). Carefully bent pc's of wire can be used to insert the bolt through this opening and drop it in the hole. I also used a very thin piece of wire through the cotter hole in the bolt to pull the bolt through the actual hole it resides in...essentially a "fish" wire. It's a bit of effort but very easily done. Good luck...
Try to stay away from the rubber ball fix...the original style radius ball parts last much longer and provide for a better connection.
Good Day!

Barry B./ Ma. · 08-29-2013, 10:40 AM

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Go with what Dave says. The proper studs are longer than those with the rubber ball. Make sure you put a thin wire through the cotter holes and pull them down through the housing holes or theres a good chance they will slip out of your fingers and end up under the flywheel. If that happens the fix is to pull the engine and retrieve the bolts. (Arrgh! it happened to me !)

08-29-2013, 07:23 AM	#1
twilder Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Kentucky Posts: 62	Radius Ball Insert Getting ready to repair radius ball. Old one has no springs nor spacers. Castle nuts ran all the way up snug. I know this isn't right, but the studs appear to be too short. Not long enough to add spacers and springs. Can these be adjusted? Are they just threaded up into the bell housing? Can old studs be replaced fairly easily?

08-29-2013, 07:47 AM	#2
gweilbaker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lindenhurst, IL Posts: 792	Re: Radius Ball Insert They are bolts with special grooved heads that are held by a pin. The pin holds both and it is not easy job for someone with large fingers. You can see the pin above the ball assembly in the video--->https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CB2L_1xSD0

08-29-2013, 08:01 AM	#3
Dave in MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Jordan, MN Posts: 1,411	Re: Radius Ball Insert Replacement is possible by blocking the radius/front yoke down and then working through the hole in the bottom of the clutch housing (bell housing). Carefully bent pc's of wire can be used to insert the bolt through this opening and drop it in the hole. I also used a very thin piece of wire through the cotter hole in the bolt to pull the bolt through the actual hole it resides in...essentially a "fish" wire. It's a bit of effort but very easily done. Good luck... Try to stay away from the rubber ball fix...the original style radius ball parts last much longer and provide for a better connection. Good Day! Last edited by Dave in MN; 08-29-2013 at 12:18 PM.

08-29-2013, 10:40 AM	#4
Barry B./ Ma. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southbridge, Ma. Posts: 1,614	Re: Radius Ball Insert Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Go with what Dave says. The proper studs are longer than those with the rubber ball. Make sure you put a thin wire through the cotter holes and pull them down through the housing holes or theres a good chance they will slip out of your fingers and end up under the flywheel. If that happens the fix is to pull the engine and retrieve the bolts. (Arrgh! it happened to me !)