CO54 Posted August 15, 2021 Report Share Posted August 15, 2021 I posted this in my build page, but decided to open a new topic to see about getting as much input as possible. Yesterday, I decided to degrease and clean up some parts for the frame. Hit a SNAG after cleaning up the steering linkage that comes off the pitman arm of gear box to left drag link. After cleaning, I started moving ball joints around to verify smooth operation before new grease. The ball joint with nut on it, was locked up and only has limited movement. The other side will move freely without the center mounting point moving at all. The side with nut is locked up with minimum movement from side to side, and the center shaft will spin freely regardless of location. My question, is there a service that can be done to salvage? PLEASE HELP!!!!!! I know this part is made of unobtanium! I did remove the zerk fitting and soak in carb cleaner for about 10 hours, still no change in amount of movement. Even after the black nasty old grease slime came running out from zerk hole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted August 15, 2021 Report Share Posted August 15, 2021 What are you using to move them? A good tight joint should be very hard to move. From your description I'm wondering if the tight one is good and the other side worn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO54 Posted August 15, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2021 The side with full 360 movement takes a good bit of pressure to move by hand when mounted in the vice. The side that's locked up, feels like a mechanical failure inside, it won't move more than 60 degrees on one side only, can't get to center. Don't want to force it, but feels like a broken spring or something else is going on inside. Can't see inside the zerk fitting hole for anything, but a small flat head will go all the way to other side of the casted part. It appears that there is a cap on the "flat" side that could be removed for servicing. Just weary of removing it, and never getting that back on correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBNeal Posted August 15, 2021 Report Share Posted August 15, 2021 Removing that cap could be problematic as it needs a tight fit to stay put during operation. That ball joint could possibly be locked up with rust...soaking in Marvel Mystery Oil for a week might yield some positive results. If there is still grease in there, an O-A torch could be used to liquefy the grease to drain out of the zerk port by applying the tip of the flame to the casting from that port to just opposite that port, at a rate of 5 seconds round trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO54 Posted August 16, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2021 Don't have an O-A torch, but I'll give the MAP gas bottle a shot tonight after work. Will also be grabbing some ATF or MM Oil to soak in after some heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Balazs Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 Have you tried contacting Rare Parts? Not sure they have your truck covered but I do know they make new drag links etc for the Pilothouse trucks. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO54 Posted August 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 1 hour ago, Jeff Balazs said: Have you tried contacting Rare Parts? Not sure they have your truck covered but I do know they make new drag links etc for the Pilothouse trucks. Jeff Do you have a contact or website? I looked through the Vendor Listing Post and couldn't find it in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billrigsby Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 16 minutes ago, CO54 said: Do you have a contact or website? I looked through the Vendor Listing Post and couldn't find it in there. Rare Parts 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO54 Posted August 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 5 minutes ago, billrigsby said: Rare Parts Thanks. Located replacement if needed. 25655 - DRAG LINK (rareparts.com) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Balazs Posted August 17, 2021 Report Share Posted August 17, 2021 There Ya go. If these joints don't operate smoothly you are not going to enjoy driving your truck. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kencombs Posted August 18, 2021 Report Share Posted August 18, 2021 One could use a piece of DOM tubing of the correct OD and wall thickness to tap for the threads on a pair of tie rod (or other type rod end) and bend using a press. You would likely have close to the purchase price of a new one invested though and short lengths of specific DOM tube may be hard to find. But, the result would provide you with a replacement that could be maintained with locally available replacement ends. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO54 Posted August 18, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2021 22 minutes ago, kencombs said: One could use a piece of DOM tubing of the correct OD and wall thickness to tap for the threads on a pair of tie rod (or other type rod end) and bend using a press. You would likely have close to the purchase price of a new one invested though and short lengths of specific DOM tube may be hard to find. But, the result would provide you with a replacement that could be maintained with locally available replacement ends. That is a good solution, and the serviceability option down the road isn't a bad point either. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Balazs Posted August 18, 2021 Report Share Posted August 18, 2021 Fwiw I can't see any sense in trying to fabricate this item. This is not an item that requires too much maintenance. If it is greased at regular intervals a new one should outlast several owners. The original on my 52 still works fine. 30,000 miles since I have had it and all it ever needs is a shot of grease once in a while. Jeff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallytoo Posted August 19, 2021 Report Share Posted August 19, 2021 i'm with jeff on this. no need to make one if there is one available at a reasonable price. it will outlast the next few owners. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO54 Posted August 20, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2021 Replacement ordered. Haven't had chance to play with torch yet. Things went sideways with kids and first week of school. Gotta love having one in HS, and one in MS...... Wouldn't change it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO54 Posted August 20, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2021 Got the torch out and played, actually happy I made a mess today. Old one still won't budge past the points shown before. After replacement arrives, I'll look into the service options for original part removed. Replacement will be here next week. Just trying to stay ahead of the list. Tomorrow and Sunday will consist of hard line from MC to flex lines. The rear calipers, flex lines, rotors, pads etc, all arrived today. More pics to follow. Thanks. Eric 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solution CO54 Posted August 28, 2021 Author Solution Report Share Posted August 28, 2021 Replacement arrived earlier this week, perfect match, just had to use correct size grease zerk fittings. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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