One very weird rear radius rod !

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: One very weird rear radius rod !
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Sunday, September 08, 2013 - 03:52 pm:

So what have I got here ? The radius rods are from my 15 touring. As you can see the right looks normal but the left appears to have some sort of machined pin on the end. Note the groove.



Here is a shot of the drilled bolt which slides over the pin and then goes through the holes near the bell.



Another shot of the rod with the drilled bolt fully on.



And finally the bolt itself. (Excuse focus -still learning this camera)



The machining on the rod pin and the bolt looks professionally done. Was it some sort of aftermarket thing ?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Sunday, September 08, 2013 - 04:17 pm:

That's a new one on me, but I've only been at this for about six years. What's supposed to hold the bolt on the pin?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Sunday, September 08, 2013 - 04:22 pm:

Darned if I know!

Getting a new radius rod will be tough for me so i am thinking about welding a high grade bolt (head cut off) on to the radius rod.

What do y'all think? Doable ?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Sunday, September 08, 2013 - 05:14 pm:

Looks like some sort of repair done by a guy with free access to machine tools but no idea where to find another radius rod. I expect a steel pin would be captive inside the bolt to tie the radius rod in place when the nut was installed.

Why not just weld the bolt to the radius rod and make the pin unnecessary?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Sunday, September 08, 2013 - 06:17 pm:

Royce, that is exactly what I'm thinking of doing.

Do you know if the metal on the end of the radius rod is weldable? That is, is it steel or cast iron ?

I don't think I can use the existing bolt as there would be no adjustable nut on the rear of the rod. I was thinking of buying a long threaded bolt, cutting off the head and welding that to the end of the radius rod.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dale Peterson on Sunday, September 08, 2013 - 11:53 pm:

Welding a bolt to the end of the radius rod should be no problem. It is all steel. I would think that would be much preferable to the makeshift repair that I would not trust to hold much of the load required of that part


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Monday, September 09, 2013 - 12:13 am:

The ideal thing would be another rod. Surely somebody in your part of Florida could come up with one.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Horlick in Penn Valley, CA on Monday, September 09, 2013 - 12:36 am:

I bet Mark at Model T haven can figure out how to ship a radius rod to Florida, he has no problem shipping complete cars all around the country!

A radius rod is something which can easily be had at any swap meet, on e-bay, even Craigslist sometimes. There are probably dozens of guys reading this thread who have radius rods they can ship to you. Why not read through the classifieds on this website... you will probably find one there!

I see repairing that buggered up old radius rod as your worst choice, IMHO.

TH


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Paul Mikeska, Denver CO on Monday, September 09, 2013 - 01:22 am:

Bud,

If all else fails come to Chickasha next year! I bought 6 nice rear radius rods there last year.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By kep on Monday, September 09, 2013 - 02:00 am:

It allows one to turn the bolt to adjust radius rod length in the car. The pin through the bolt might be what holds it together. i could mend that.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Monday, September 09, 2013 - 11:13 am:

It's not long until the big Hershey Swap meet. I think it's next month. You might find one there.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Monday, September 09, 2013 - 02:31 pm:

I have repaired a lot of those over the years by getting, and bending, an appropriate size bolt (cut off the bolt head). The threaded piece originally welded into the rod only inserts into the rod a couple inches. So it only takes a bolt about seven inches long (eight wouldn't hurt). Welding or brazing is fine.
On the other hand, finding and getting ones that don't need repair should be easy enough. That way you wouldn't ruin a two dollar bolt. But then again, I often save and use parts others would throw out.
Either way,
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry VanOoteghem on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 - 02:00 pm:

"So what have I got here ?"

Scrap metal.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By kep on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 - 04:35 pm:

Why would you say such a terrible thing about that radius rod? Repairing it sure beats having to make one.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Horlick in Penn Valley, CA on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 - 04:51 pm:

Kep, I have to side with Jerry. I wouldn't have called it scrap, however... the term "boat anchor" comes to mind. No matter what you do you have that machined tiny stub to build onto and there's no way that can withstand the forces to be encountered in use... eventually that paper clip will be flexed enough to fail.

Why knowingly put a piece of trash into a critical area in your car when it is so easy and inexpensive to do it right?

TH


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry VanOoteghem on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 - 04:54 pm:

What Terry said.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Stroud on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 - 05:00 pm:

I respectfully disagree with Terry and Jerry. That radius rod can be repaired very easily, not the way it was done however. As was said by some others, weld a bolt on the end. It must be done correctly though. The end of the bolt and the end of the radius rod have to be tapered before welding so that a 100% weld can be done. JMHO. Dave


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 - 06:51 pm:

When shortening radius rods for Warfords, I have used 9/16 x 6" bolts. Cut the head off, bend to suit, stick it in the end of the rod and weld all around. Piece of cake.


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