14-04-2024, 09:05 AM
The big ball (as Tony puts it) is adjustable. There is a serrated brass ring at the rear secured by two bolts. Removing the two bolts enables the ring to be turned to take up any slack. Make sure after adjustment that the mounting does not bind on the ball at any point. You can check this by releasing the lower mounting (cap nut and a very thin locking nut) and moving the top mounting to an fro.
It is often the case that, over the years, all the adjustment of the top ball has been taken up. One can overcome this by filing or turning about an eighth of an inch off the back of the mounting to give the brass ring more travel, or make up a shim to fit into the front of the mounting. It doesn’t need to be thick. I used a piece of 2mm steel for mine.
The lower mounting can be adjusted too. Just tighten the cap nut to take up the slack and tighten the locknut. Again check it doesn’t bind. If the lower ball mounted to the chassis is worn, I am pretty sure that replacements are available. The lower joint is greased via a drilling from the top mounting, but I makes sure that the lower joint is well packed with grease before reassembly.
It is often the case that, over the years, all the adjustment of the top ball has been taken up. One can overcome this by filing or turning about an eighth of an inch off the back of the mounting to give the brass ring more travel, or make up a shim to fit into the front of the mounting. It doesn’t need to be thick. I used a piece of 2mm steel for mine.
The lower mounting can be adjusted too. Just tighten the cap nut to take up the slack and tighten the locknut. Again check it doesn’t bind. If the lower ball mounted to the chassis is worn, I am pretty sure that replacements are available. The lower joint is greased via a drilling from the top mounting, but I makes sure that the lower joint is well packed with grease before reassembly.