A question on top links

[OzarksHermit]

Howdy

How "flexible" are the ball joints on each end of a top link supposed to be?
I just purchased a CAT 0 top link for my home made thumb, and the ball joint on each end was at quite an angle to the threaded rod. I finally straightened it by inserting a short length of steel rod into the hole, and using a lead hammer was able to pound on the rod to make the hole at 90 degrees to the shaft. Man, that ball joint is really tight. It would seem that the ball joints should move a little more freely to compensate for alignment.
Any suggestions?

Thanks
Ken

 

[sweettractors]

Once you get it on, it will get loose soon enough. Ken Sweet

 

[DiezNutz]

Yep, just needs to limber up. If it's rusty, maybe a little WD-40 but don't grease it... that will just attract more dirt & crap to gunk it up.

 

[gwdixon]

When new the balls are extremely tight. I put some Fluid Film on them and they miraculously loosened up instantly.

After they get used for a while you can just leave them dry unless they start to rust. Then Fluid Film can do its magic again - very good preservative.

 

[jnjpream]

The eyes on my links had paint on them.. A bit of lacquer thinner and some brute force to get'm moving took care of it.

But yeah, if you can put up with them being tight for a short while, they will get plenty loose eventually.

 

[radioman]

nothing to worry about. all top links and swivel eyes from 3pt are tight when new. As you use them, it will work itself loose which is why its tight to begin with, over time it will be very loose.

Since this is for your thumb, keeping it aligned , should keep it nice and tight for a long time unless your thumb and boom of BH flexes some.