A protective boot for the front yoke ball

[vech]

The front yoke ball, that seats in the oil pan, is exposed to road dirt, and water, since it is unprotected in any way.
I have been occasionally removing the APCO cover, and cleaning up the old grease and dirt and re-greasing the ball and related parts.
While staring at it, I thought of an easy way to make a protective rubber boot, to keep the grease more or less in place, and the dirt and water out of the assembly. I bought at the auto parts store, a universal replacement tie rod rubber boot, and I used a gasket punch and a hammer to increase the diameter of the small end, so it you simply stretch it and pop it over the ball, and it fits the shaft just behind the ball snugly. I then packed the inside of the boot with fresh grease and when re-assembled on the oil pan, it looks like this. While it may not keep 100% of the dirt and water out, it has to be an improvement in that direction. The rubber does not interfere with the movement of the ball in any way.
It is just what everyone likes, simple and cheap, and works!

[John kuehn]

Good idea to keep the dirt, crud and mud out of the area! I suppose it was Fords thinking it would be kept clean since maintenance for the joints and etc was supposed to be done pretty often compared to what we think about that now. I can remember my Mother saying that driving a 100 mile trip in their Model T was an extremely long way to them and it wasn’t done very often if at all in their family. We think a lot different these days!

[Humblej]

The Apco ball cap has its own spring, using 2 springs on the studs makes too many springs. Use the Apco, or the stud springs, not both. IMO the Ford spring loaded ball cap is a good design and better than the Apco. Where the Apco spring loaded ball caps shine is on the steering drag link.

[JTT3]

Really good idea, nicely done Vech.

[Rich Eagle]

Many cars had fitted leather boots that were laced over steering knuckles, u-joints and such places to keep grease in and dirt out.
It is a great idea.
Rich

[vech]

Thanks for the kind words, guys.

I neglected to post the part number and source for that replacement rubber boot. I bought them from O'Reilly auto parts, but they are made by Dorman products, and one should be able to find them locally, just about everywhere. As I said before, you have to enlarge the small hole in the end with a gasket punch and a hammer to get it to pop over the ball.

[TXGOAT2]

You could add new grease with a grease needle, if needed.

[Scott_Conger]

Craig

when I first saw this I thought that it was one of the real hidden gems buried within the confines of the Forum

I applaud your creative and practical idea. I am not a fan of dorking around with a "T", but I really like this one. Congrats.

[Mark Gregush]

The Apco ball cap has its own spring, using 2 springs on the studs makes too many springs. Use the Apco, or the stud springs, not both. IMO the Ford spring loaded ball cap is a good design and better than the Apco. Where the Apco spring loaded ball caps shine is on the steering drag link.

When using the APCO unit, you can run the nuts up tight compressing the original springs, which then act like spacers.

Big thumbs up on this idea!

[Original Smith]

That is a neat idea. I've been driving T's for over 50 years, and have not seen a need for this part.

[Rich Eagle]

I finally found a photo of the type of boot I was describing above. This was on the Gooding&Co site.

Period and authentic.

[SurfCityGene]

Hi Craig, Love your idea! It looks like a perfect fit? Did you feel this was the best size to order after your install? What size hole punch did you use to end up with a nice tight fit? I see a Rockauto price of 3.50 for two!

Thanks