Cab Fan

[bigtiller]

Did the raised metal dimples beat back down from movement? Did you make enough of them? Perhaps the metal is too soft to hold up to the vibration and movement. That should have worked.

I started out with a dimple every 1/4 inch horizontally and vertically all the way around the ball. I gave it a spin and it looked as if it would work but it needed more dimples so i peppered the ball with dimples.

When mowing, the bouncing and vibration caused some movement and each time it moved it became less stable until it no longer would hold any position. It looked like the high spots on the ball were digging into the socket, enlarging it.

 

[k0ua]

I started out with a dimple every 1/4 inch horizontally and vertically all the way around the ball. I gave it a spin and it looked as if it would work but it needed more dimples so i peppered the ball with dimples.

When mowing, the bouncing and vibration caused some movement and each time it moved it became less stable until it no longer would hold any position. It looked like the high spots on the ball were digging into the socket, enlarging it.

Well, shoot, I really thought that would work.

 

[roman]

I tried fixing mine too, it fell apart. Replaced it with this one

Amazon.com: RoadPro RP-1179 12V Heavy Duty Metal 2-Speed Fan: Automotive

 

[CCWKen]

If you can separate the ball and socket (I assume you can since you've beating on it), just add a brass shim. It's been done for years on antique car steering components. You can form them with a ballpeen hammer or bearing ball on soft wood (2x4). Or dimple dies if you have them. Then cut the shim from the stock with scissors. It works better if you can clamp the stock down and/or anneal the brass.

 

[bigtiller]

I bought a new fan from CarQuest and mounted it in the same mounting holes in the roof as the old one used.