TRACTOR PARTS Allis Chalmers Case & David Brown Farmall & International Ferguson Ford & New Holland John Deere Massey Ferguson Massey Harris Minneapolis Moline Oliver & Cockshutt Kubota / Yanmar

TRACTOR MANUALS

Allis Chalmers	Case	Farmall IH	Ford 8N,9N,2N	Ford
Ferguson	John Deere	Massey Ferguson	Minn. Moline	Oliver

Ford Tractors Discussion Forum

Order Ford 861 Parts Online

861 radius rod rear question

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register

Author

bloomlake

04-24-2007 13:16:54

Report to Moderator

Hi all. I just got my new 861 past the wife, and into the garage.

Among other things, all of the radius rod balls are loose. Simple enough, but these are the one piece rods that look like the rear is pressed in? Do they make a replacement press in end, or do I need to get all new? I'd like to keep the old rods if possible. From the serial number it appears to be a mid 1958 model.

Thanks, Paul

Ford 861-D

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Stephen R. Horton (Tx)

04-25-2007 15:54:33

Report to Moderator

Re: 861 radius rod rear question in reply to bloomlake, 04-24-2007 13:16:54

BloomLake, you can look in the forums. There are some posts about sanding down the mating surfaces of the cap and socket pieces so that they mate closer together. I used a belt sander that I clamped to a table, then I used heavy gloves to sand those mating surfaces just a bit. You have to try and fit so that you don't take too much material off at once--if you do, then the radius rods won't pivot and you'll be in trouble. I got mine just right, and add to the fact that I replaced the front axle cradle plates and pivot pin, my 861 has great steering. Very tight (but not too tight). -stephen

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Lumpy

04-24-2007 19:27:42

Report to Moderator

Re: 861 radius rod rear question in reply to bloomlake, 04-24-2007 13:16:54

Looks like its in pretty good shape. If you don't mind me asking, what did you have to pay for it? With in $500.00 is close enough. Thanks.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

bloomlake

04-25-2007 18:05:27

Report to Moderator

Re: 861 radius rod rear question in reply to Lumpy, 04-24-2007 19:27:42

I guess I forgot to say that there is something wrong in the transmission. It won't move on it's own.

The story was they tried to push start it, and when they got it started, it wouldn't move. I cleaned a rodent nest out of the air box, and it fired up okay. The loader works, (poorly) I have new rods for the front cylinders.

Paul

The story kinda starts here:

tractor ID

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

bloomlake

04-25-2007 17:55:21

Report to Moderator

Re: 861 radius rod rear question in reply to Lumpy, 04-24-2007 19:27:42

I had to give him $1,975 for it. A bit more that I'd like to have paid.

The old girl was just begging me to take her home. It's a sickness I have...

Paul

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

GlenIdaho

04-24-2007 16:09:11

Report to Moderator

Re: 861 radius rod rear question in reply to bloomlake, 04-24-2007 13:16:54

Hi Paul; my manual shows that the drag link is one piece. They list no part for the read end (towards the driver's seat). The front end has a sleeve and removable link. If the link (with the ball) is that bad you can cut off the end and weld a new one on rather than having to find a whole new rear link. If you decide to weld a new one on, make sure you measure the old one first so you can duplicate its position. Seems like they should have make the end removeable like they did for the non-power steering units. Hope this helps you.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Dean

04-24-2007 15:15:59

Report to Moderator

Re: 861 radius rod rear question in reply to bloomlake, 04-24-2007 13:16:54

Paul;

Usually the socket and cap wear more than the balls. New Chinese made socket and cap sets are available for about $25/side.

If there is much movement you probably need to look at your front axle pin, bushing and support as well.

Dean

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Jim.UT

04-24-2007 14:48:29

Report to Moderator

Re: 861 radius rod rear question in reply to bloomlake, 04-24-2007 13:16:54

I think you're talking about the drag links. Here are some photos of radius rods:
third party image

These are off a 9N so they look different than your 861 radius rods, but you should be able to figure it out.

I see that your 861 needs a grille. There's a pretty decent one on ebay right now.

Grille on ebay

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Bloomlake

04-25-2007 17:59:00

Report to Moderator

Re: 861 radius rod rear question in reply to Jim.UT, 04-24-2007 14:48:29

Thanks, but I do have a grille, it's a bit bent up but I think it's useable.

No, the parts I'm concerned with are the steering rods (ends) The balls on the radius rods? are very nice. I just had to take the caps off for a look see. I did notice the king pin? bushings are in need of replacement too.

Thanks, Paul

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

GlenIdaho

04-24-2007 13:50:01

Report to Moderator

Re: 861 radius rod rear question in reply to bloomlake, 04-24-2007 13:16:54

Bloom; the parts manual shows a one piece radius rod and lists no part # for replacing the ball. Is the wear on the ball end or the cap that holds it on? Probably a combination of both. You have a couple of options, replace just the cap; replace the entire radius road; or weld a new end on. I don't think you'll be able to find a new one and buying a good used radius rod just for the end isn't feasible either. As an option, perhaps if you have the cap surfaced a bit . it might take up the slack. Just some thoughts.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

bloomlake

04-24-2007 13:56:32

Report to Moderator

Re: 861 radius rod rear question in reply to GlenIdaho, 04-24-2007 13:50:01

Thanks Glen, I don't have my manuals yet.

I don't see a cap? I've heard guys talk of that, but I don't see anything that comes apart.
It looks like it was either pressed in, or has a crimped flange. The boot is gone, but the ball is fair. I might look into a new boot, and let it go.
The tractor doesn't move yet, I think it needs a clutch. I need to figure out how to split it with the loader on? The loader is a Ford I9-97.

Thanks, Paul

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

awhtx

04-24-2007 14:11:53

Report to Moderator

Re: 861 radius rod rear question in reply to bloomlake, 04-24-2007 13:56:32

Where the radius rods attach to the transmission you will find 3 studs screwed into the transmission housing. If you remove the nuts a "cap" comes off, then the radius rod ball and finally a "seat". The cap and seat are machined in such a way as to surround the ball on the end of the radius rod. I know that the caps are available from the aftermarket parts suppliers but I don't know about the seats. Perhaps you could use a ball pien hammer to mold some shim stock into the cap and seat to take up clearance.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

bloomlake

04-24-2007 14:23:30

Report to Moderator

Re: 861 radius rod rear question in reply to awhtx, 04-24-2007 14:11:53

Thanks awhtx, I see what you're saying and I think maybe I'm describing the wrong parts? These are the balls on the end of the steering rods. I don't have my manuals yet, so I'm not sure what the proper names are yet.

These "arms" go from the steering gear out to steer the front wheels. The back balls appear to be made right into the arms, the fronts are attached with a short length, of what looks like a turnbuckle, to adjust the length.

I'll have some pictures later

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

awhtx

04-24-2007 14:53:16

Report to Moderator

Re: 861 radius rod rear question in reply to bloomlake, 04-24-2007 14:23:30

Those are called drag links in the Ford Service Manual. I have a 1958 861D with armstrong (manual) steering and it has removeable rod ends (with the adjusting sleeves) on each end of the drag link. In your photos it is obvious that your rear rod ends do not have adjusting sleeves but if you clean the grease off you may find that the threaded part of the rod end screws directly into the drag link. I don't know for sure but it will be easy to see if they are screwed in or welded in when you clean off the old grease.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

[Options] [Printer Friendly] [Posting Help] [Return to Forum] [Log in to Reply]

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home | Forums

Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy