Rusted lift arm ball

[Kando]

Hello TBN, on my little International 244, the lift arm balls have been rusted in place. One moves somewhat freely, but the other is seized. I have both stuck in a small bucket of PB blaster to soak, however so far it hasn't helped. They've been soaking overnight. Thoughts?

I'll pop pictures up in a little while.

 

[George2615]

I had one seized up a few years ago. After soaking I wire brushed the visible parts of the ball then stuck a 1" bar (1" if I recall the size correctly) in the ball and hit with a hammer to rotate the ball. Then soaked, brushed and rotated the ball again. Eventually it freed up. Once freed up the ball was completely brushed and greased. Took some time but worked for me.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Keep soaking and then place the arm in a vice or back on the tractor to hold it while you use a pry par or length of pipe to stick through the ball and start working it back and forth , it should start moving. Once you get it moving clean it as stated above and lube , you should be good to go.

 

[Kando]

Thanks for the replies guys.

 

[PILOON]

I religiously oil mine twice a year when I do the 'seasonal changeovers'.
Those, and all the rest of the linkage components
I do believe it has paid off as my CUT is an'80's and everything is nice and free.*

(My cut has no choice but to sleep in the elements)

*LOL, bit too free as I lost a T-buckle and that was not 'free'.

 

[Kando]

Couldn't loosen it up in the vice with a hammer and bar, so I did this. Hooked it onto the top link of the Ford, stood on the other end and started moving it back and forth. Finally got it to break free. I'll continue working on it, dousing with some more PB and brushing to work out the rust. Set them back in the bucket to soak some more, probably remove the tomorrow for good and just work it out.

Recommendations for treating the metal afterwords? Currently WD-40 is my go to for light duty work, and they're stored inside, but I'd like something a little better to treat them with to help prevent further issues.

 

[George2615]

I use white lithium grease on mine.
Kroil or Fluid film would also work. I don't WD-40 at all.

 

[Tomtint]

WD40 or PB blaster and a torch would surely loosen it up.

 

[Kando]

WD40 or PB blaster and a torch would surely loosen it up.

I've got it loose, just need to work out the rust.

 

[Tomtint]

I've got it loose, just need to work out the rust.

Good deal... I have a combo pintle set up.. the top pivot tends to rust up and become a pita to close. I blast it with PB or WD and use a map gas torch on it for a few minutes. Once it loosens up, I smear grease on it and torch it again. The heat let's the grease become liquid and get inside the pivot.