Can't get swivell ball tension right....opinions please.

[SafeAirOne]

...only got 6 lbs with the old fishing scale. I started subtracting shims to adjust. With no shims at all, the best I register is 9 lbs. Any ideas? I greased everything (bearing, and top pin) with mobil 1 synthetic grease. Should I have not greased the pin?

Some thoughts...

My SIII bible says to lubricate with oil recommended for the swivel pin housing. Mobil 1 OIL is much more "slippery" than non synthetic oil. I don't know if the grease is the same or not.

It also says that you should be shooting for 8-10lbs. You must have passed 8 lbs to get to 9 lbs.

Also, make sure you are pulling from the correct tie rod end hole. The picture in my bible shows the hole closest to the swivel. I'm sure that using the other hole will change (lower) the readings due to less force required with the longer lever-arm.




Just some thoughts...Good Luck!

[JimC]

Thix - when you pressed the upper pin housing into the top of the new ball, did you ensure that the machined side is facing inboard? My machine shop put mine in wrong and it seemed to make a difference...

[brucejohn]

Keep us posted, please.

I did mine a few weeks back, both sides. Old balls and housings with new railco, pin and bearings. With 0.065 in both sides I am still just over 20# each. I also used 90 weight on the bushing.

[thixon]

I did both mine this week: new top pins and raiko bushes - my swivel balls and bottom bearings were fine. I ended up with .04 on one side, .03 on the other. Both sides now at ~18 lbs., down from over 30. My scale only goes to 30 lbs. I did use 90W on the pins and bushes when I assembled it.

Silly question: are you sure your scale is accurate?

Unfortunately, yeah. Its brand new, and I tested it before I got started. Something aint right. I just don't know what yet.

[rbonnett]

I did both mine this week: new top pins and raiko bushes - my swivel balls and bottom bearings were fine. I ended up with .04 on one side, .03 on the other. Both sides now at ~18 lbs., down from over 30. My scale only goes to 30 lbs. I did use 90W on the pins and bushes when I assembled it.

Silly question: are you sure your scale is accurate?

[thixon]

I'm working on the passenger side swivell rebuild. New balls, pin, railco, etc.

I can't seem to get the tension right. I started with about 40 thou per the manual, but only got 6 lbs with the old fishing scale. I started subtracting shims to adjust. With no shims at all, the best I register is 9 lbs. Any ideas? I greased everything (bearing, and top pin) with mobil 1 synthetic grease. Should I have not greased the pin?