Load link ball socket repair

[wwattson]

Has anyone repaired or replaced the ball sockets on load links on a 1010 or similar 3pt hitch? If so, what worked best? Thanks.

[Lavoy]

I have tightened them up many times. Heat the ring around the ball carefully and bend it back down as you go with a hammer.
Lavoy

[wwattson]

It might be a bit beyond that point Lavoy. The ball is actually wearing through the back of the link ends. I tried to get a close up but it ended up a little fuzzy.



You might be able to see how much material is worn away. The balls moves in and out about 1/4" on all four ends and they look to be about ready to fall out.

The options I have looked at so far are the weld on replacement link ends, the weld in ball sockets, or cutting apart the existing and reworking them with a weld build up and grinding to shape. My problem is I'm way out of my depth having virtually no experience with repairing such a thing. It seems with as many repair parts I've been able to find it must be a pretty common repair but so far I haven't seen any instructions for how to do it or talked to anyone who has ever done it.

[sbarr]

If you are real carefull you can build up both sides with weld and peen the weld to tighten into the ball like Lavoy is saying.After each pass though make sure the ball still moves in the socket.

Steve