sprinter

Finally did the job and replaced both ball studs and the cross-shaft. They were peened over real good. The bracket on the motor was easy but the frame one, well, and I ground the surface smooth with a die-grinder/cut-off wheel. Hit it with a hammer and punch a few times and it wouldnt budge. I hit it with a big hammer many times, and it still wouldnt come out. Ground it more and hit it more to no avail.... finally, I drilled out the center with a drill to allow the metal to collapse and got it out.

I thought about tapping the ball stud to accept a 1/4" bolt to retain it with a bolt & washer (seeing how the OEM one was drilled out easily). No luck; the replacements from Zip are hardened steel -I ended up just welding both ball studs in place.

Frankie the Fink

I bought a new frame bracket with ball stud already in it and Mike Coletta welded it on my '61 in like 5 minutes. That was like 5 years ago and I drive the car a lot.

While you're under there put a zerk fitting in the Z-bar tube and grease the snot out of it and you'll save those ball studs for another 50 years if you grease the part regularly.

Steve59

Also, I've heard of guys putting a wooden dowel in that tube to take up some of the space otherwise you will be putting a s... load of grease in it.

Frankie the Fink

Yes, some use a tight-fitting wooden dowel with a groove down its length so the grease can travel to each end

SteveA922

Old thread.....

I'm also building a bracket to mount to a new bell housing and have a question. The parts manuals show an o-ring that fits over the ball studs resting between the bar and bracket and so I orders a set. There is no way they will slide over the ball and the shafts are welded so they can't be slid on and then reinstall the shaft. I don't see any mention of these in this thread or on any other threads I've searched. Are people just not using them? (And yes I understand this post sounds more like it belongs on a **** site). LOL.

John McGraw

They will go over the ball. it just takes a little pressure! They will shrink back down after they go over the ball. The correct ones are a felt material with a vinyl skin on both sides of the felt to minimize the wear.


Regards, John McGraw

SteveA922

Thanks John. I ordered them from CC and they appear to be felt like and do have the outside skin. I pushed pretty hard to no avail but will try again. Do you soak them in anything first or at least grease them?

John McGraw

Yep, I grease them up pretty good and then wipe the grease off after installing them.




Regards, John McGraw