Radius Rods

[Pminyard]

Two questions: Should the radius rods for a 49 8N be straight both laterally and vertically? The two that I have are both curved in both directions.
#2: Which side of the spindle thrust bearing goes up? Seems like a silly question but the old ones had been removed before I got the tractor. Thank you for your help.

 

[old]

Yes the radius rods should be straight and not bent but over the years it is common to see them bent. I have straighten them in a press but you need to be careful doing so as not to crack them

 

[souNdguy]

ditto what old said.

you can sometimes use a bottle jack, some wood spacers and some chain to bend a radius rod straight.. in fact, bend it just past striaght so when it relaxes it will be straight.

take your time and don't crease or fold them.

soundguy

 

[KL-VA]

They usually bow up in the middle as the front tires run into ruts, trees, or the corner of your house. I've also seen people use a front wheel to push a car. You can straighten them with a floor jack, 2x4, and piece of logging chain (big links). The chain should have the same (or greater) load rating as your jack. The board goes between your jack and the radius rod and keeps the chain at the ends. As Old mentioned go slow or you will crack or kink the radius rod tube. Some people straighten them on the tractor with a bottle jack and chain. This can keep the radius rod from springing loose and flying across the shop. Using a floor jack allows you to stay a little further away from the parts that are trying to get away. I use a shop press to straighten them, it's a lot safer and easier to control, but that isn't a common garage tool for most shadetree mechanics. The rods have some "spring" so you have to bend slightly past straight to get them to spring back straight.

 

[Pminyard]

Thank you for your replies. I am taking them to a local machine shop for straightening to avoid problems (and because I do not have a press). Any advice r.e. the thrust bearings on the front axle spindles?? thank you.

 

[Steckmeyer]

When we fixed up our Jubilee the radius rods were bowed up. We flipped them over and used a bottle jack, chain and angle iron to spread the load. The photo shows how much past "straight" we had to go to compensate for the spring back.