Rumplestiltskin
Member
I recently bought a 3-point conversion kit (two lift arm spears and a center link bracket) for a 350 Utility. The balls in the lift arms are badly pitted and worn pretty thin. They could stand replacing.
I can get the old balls out easily enough with a hacksaw or Sawzall, but I’m wondering about how to get the new balls in. (I’d rather just install new balls than have to weld complete new housings to the ends of the spears.)
I suspect the answer may be to find just the right size O.D. balls and have a machine shop “pop” them into place with a press; then maybe even peen around the housing holes to deform them a bit to discourage the balls from falling out.
Then again, I could turn down the diameter of the balls just enough so they’d slide in, then lock in position as soon as they rotate. Then they’d have to be “properly” aligned to fall out.
Am I on the right track with either of these approaches? Any suggestions?
Thanks –
Mark W. in MI
I can get the old balls out easily enough with a hacksaw or Sawzall, but I’m wondering about how to get the new balls in. (I’d rather just install new balls than have to weld complete new housings to the ends of the spears.)
I suspect the answer may be to find just the right size O.D. balls and have a machine shop “pop” them into place with a press; then maybe even peen around the housing holes to deform them a bit to discourage the balls from falling out.
Then again, I could turn down the diameter of the balls just enough so they’d slide in, then lock in position as soon as they rotate. Then they’d have to be “properly” aligned to fall out.
Am I on the right track with either of these approaches? Any suggestions?
Thanks –
Mark W. in MI
