Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

I've finally gotten around to the steering on my car and it looks like the ball joints in my tie rods are shot. The balls are supposed to be round and measure 1 1/8" across but mine are .020 undersize and shaped more like eggs. They were packed with dirt instead of oil and no amount of adjustment will take out the slop. Both the cross bar and the drag link balls are shot so I need (4)balls and their corresponding bearing cups. The usual parts suppliers have come up empty handed. Do any of you have an extra set of these or a decent steering set-up you could spare?
Let me know
Thanks
Todd

Dear tfee:

You could try the Packard museum in Dayton Ohio. They have front axles and stuff sitting outside.

Usually I didn't find them very productive about inquiries, but you might get lucky.

tfee,

If you can't find another decent set, one option that's been done on similar era front ends is to machine off the old ones, bore a pilot hole and weld in new ones.

For example:

These are 1" dia. and you can get the cups for them.

macsautoparts.com/model-a-ford-drag-link ... 3311w/camid/MDA/cp/JS0R3CHL1066092/

Regards,

Dave

A few potential sources for ball studs:

speedwaymotors.com/Howe-Replacement-Precision-Ball-Joint-Studs,4795.html

tractorpartsasap.com/Schwartz_Replacement_Ball_Stud_p/108803.htm

aetnascrew.com/bstud.htm

stockcarproducts.com/susp7a.htm

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Bad link in previous post....

speedwaymotors.com/search-ball-stud.html

901, I appreciate your posts but I don't want to alter the Bijur oiling system that's installed on the car. If I can't find originals in good shape I'm going to recreate the studs with all their oil holes included. Unfortunately I can't modify existing studs because they are hardened steel and can't be drilled economically. I drew up the old ones and sent them out for quote earlier this week. The results are in:

733 Build Thread

Still hunting for originals before I take that leap.
Todd

tfee,

If you can't get original parts, replacement studs can be drilled so you still have the oil passages.

I've used solid carbide to drill case and thru hardened 48 - 52 Rockwell C steel without a problem.

A tool and die shop could use a hole popper and EDM these. A local shop charges me $75 / hr. for this work.

Nice job on you prints, if you are still looking for quotes you may want to try Noujaim Tool Company.

noujaimtools.com/

Regards,

Dave

Thanks Dave, I'll keep that in mind.

I guess the tie rod end picture I posted wasn't a match?

No match but I thank you for checking. I posted a pic of the 733 tie rod on the build blog for comparison.

I'm going to move ahead with remanufacturing these from scratch. Quoted price is $538 for a single set of (4)or $400 a set if I can find another buyer so let me know if you know anyone who needs these.
Thanks
Todd
tfee16811 @ gmail.com