Re: Replacing radius rod bushing

Posted by Bob Carabbio on July 09, 1997 at 19:06:10

In Reply to: Replacing radius rod bushing
posted by Anthony Gal on July 07, 1997 at 08:09:55

The original radius rod socket assembly on "A"s was not a rubber type, but consisted of two stamped steel caps that fit together over the ball which was originally 1.50" in diameter
There were spacer bushings with springs which would hold some compression on the ball.

Then 60 years happened.

The ball now looks more like a raisin, and there's three cupped fender washers jammed into the steel caps to try to stabilize the whole situation. The springs are broken and gone, which doesn't matter because the stack of flat washers under each nut does the job as well as possible under the circumstances.

You didn't mention whether you had the original style ball socket, or the replacement rubbertype.

If you've got the rubber type, then just check the cast iron socket halves for excessive wear, slip the rubber ball over the radius rod ball, and bolt it up.The socket halves should close together, and the nuts should be tightened snugly - torque isn't too important.

If the joint is the original stamped steel type, then everything will have to be removed and exchanged for the proper socket.This can be done with the engine in the car, but it ain't pretty.After disassembly of the stamped halves, and blocking the radius rod out of the way, the long pin that holds the two bolts in position can be removed and the bolts fished out through the hole in the bottom of the clutch housing.There may be a felt pad that was held in place by the long pin - most of them are gone though.It's function was to provide oil to the radius rod socket, which is no longer necessary.

The new bolts can be worked into place, and the long pin re-inserted after straightening (they're always bent).

install the upper housing, put the ball on the radius rod end and bolt it together.

If the ball is REALLY bad, it can be built up with braze, and filed to shape using a washer with a 1.5" hole as a template.
I did mine in about 2 nights.You'll have to remove the radius rod to do that though which is a whole 'nuther thing.

Bob Carabbio




Previous PageE-Mail Comment to WebmasterPost New MessagePrint MessageClose Window

© 1996-2010, Ahooga.Com

Anti Spam