What is acceptable wear for a radius ball? I picked up an early wishbone for my '14 project and the ball is 1.204 all around and not egg shaped. It looks pretty good, but the arms are slightly bent. First, is this acceptable wear for a ball or should it be replaced and second, how do you re-straighten the arms?
Bill,
As the arms are hollow, one must be careful in straightening them. I use a press, and make wooden (hardwood) blocks the are cut to fit the curve of the tubing (make 3). This gives you two to put on the press base and one on the piston end. Go slow! this should prevent any flattening of the tube.
I don't have the ball dimensions on hand, but if yours is round, then it's not likely worn, as they wear egg-shaped (top and bottom, seldom the sides).
Bill, unless you are worried about the bent appearance of the radius rod, you could fit it as is and check how the front end lines up. Caster at the kingpins is adjusted by bending the radius rod in situ. Your rod may have been adjusted.
Others may have a different idea.
Allan from down under.
Please don't use that thing without a reinforcement.