T/bird upright spherical bearing conversion

Ant · #1 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 03:05 AM

We have gone with solid bushing the Thunderbird uprights and use rod ends on all the chrome-moly suspension arms in order to do this we have had to use a spherical bearing on the single arm end of the T/bird upright, so we can adjust toe in.
We found a bearing that was ever so slightly bigger than the upright eye and have bored the eye to have an interference fit on the bearing, the next issue is retaining the spherical bearing from moving laterally, or stopping the upright from walking. I have seen one method of using machined alloy caps which are held by 4 small bolts threaded into the end of the eye, but not a lot of room to do that! Another way I am considering is to machine some circlip grooves, and using a clip similar to what high end competition shock manufacturers use to hold their spherical bearings, these retaining clips have an angled points on each end..!

Any tips appreciated.

Three Peaks · #2 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 08:05 AM

Somebody on ffcobra.com has a kit available for just this purpose. I think it is David Borden. Might want to check with him on this.

Bob

Ant · #3 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 12:17 PM

Thanks Bob,

Will check it out, I have seen a polyurethane kit on there for them.

Cobra #3170 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 01:55 PM

I had a similar problem on my fabricated front lower A arms. I used a tool made for machining snap ring grooves in a milling machine to cut the grooves. It worked perfectly, the bearings have been in place over 8 years now with no issues

Three Peaks · #5 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 02:24 PM

Ant, here you go...

http://www.whitbymotorsports.com/UIn...ventoryid=1610

This is the IRS spherical bearing kit I was talking about. Check it out and see what you think.

Bob

Ant · #6 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Three Peaks

Ant, here you go...

http://www.whitbymotorsports.com/UIn...ventoryid=1610

This is the IRS spherical bearing kit I was talking about. Check it out and see what you think.

Bob

Thanks Bob, Had a look I think by looking at the kit, which I think is very good, I am not sure it will work for my application as they eye with bearing has to allow the upright to twist in order to do toe in etc. I will post some pictures when I can get them compressed enough (1995 Macintosh computer) is a bit of a problem.

Cobra #3170,
I had a machinist friend look at the idea of snap rings to locate the bearings and we both think that is the best way, as it wont weaken the upright at all. I have seen a cobra I think it is the Strawberry Hill Cobra, they have done it by using 4 little bolts and alloy retaining caps or hats, as they didnt like circlips, but I cant see a problem if its done nicely.

By the way do any of you guys know where there is a pair of T/bird uprights?
Not a lot of car wreckers with T/Birds here in NZ...!

Long story but this race car fabricator did what the Strawberry-H guy did but instead of using bolts he welded the hats to my uprights, as far as I am concerned they have been heat stressed and I wont use them.

Three Peaks · #7 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 06:16 PM

A couple vendors I know of sell them new- Mike Forte, (Forte's Performance parts), darn, went blank and had a senior moment on others....

You can find them on ebay, but they ask a lot of money for them.

You can look at other cars for them. I believe they came on the IRS Tbirds- 89-94, they also came on Lincoln Mark VII or Mark VIII, and some Cougars with IRS. You may want to place a "Want to buy" ad on the classifieds on ffcobra.com also.

Bob

LMH · #8 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 09:25 PM

Hey A J.
Email "Decy" on the FFR site. He found a set of axles for my IRS (T-Bird also), so he might have a set of knuckles or could find some.
http://www.ffcobra.com/forums/member.php?u=2093
Larry

Ant · #9 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 09:51 PM

Bob & Larry

Thanks for you help going to ffcobra.com now!