I'm going to guess that this is a matter of semantics. The term "ball bearing" is bit of a misnomer as it applies to the ball-joint type of tie-rod end. A ball-bearing, in the ordinary sense, at that point in the system would be a mis-application of that type.
To say it's "sealed" is a reference to the enclosed nature (a rubber boot) of the joint as opposed to the more open ball and socket type such as is typical of early drag links with a leather/fabric/felt dust "seal". I can say with some certainty that you will find a grease zerk on any of those since the pre-lubricated/sealed, run-'em-'til they-drop variety didn't show up for a long time afterward......after Hudson left the scene.
Just my guess without knowing for sure. We'll see.
Frank

Frank, I'm pretty sure you are mistaken, and the tie rod ends were actually sealed, that is, waterproof (when new) by design.

Not because of a rubber boot, a la Fords since 1964, or Volkswagens since at least 1975 (I had one of each of those), but sealed ball bearings, like are sometimes found on, e.g., alternators.

The oil company lube sheets tell the location of grease fittings, and they, or the ones I have seen, say, regarding the tie rod ends "sealed".

The 1934-37 Mechanical Procedures Manual, which I just finished downloading and printing, says they are sealed ball bearings, up to the "second type" in 1936, which is a ball joint with a rubber cap and a grease fitting like many other cars used (it shows a picture).

Maybe the sealed ball bearing design proved to be a bad idea, or maybe it cost a relative ton of money to manufacture, but I doubt both. Ball bearing rod ends are not hard to find: As far as I know, only Hudson/Terraplane sealed ball bearing tie rod ends are majorly elusive.

Robert, the '30-'39 chassis parts book definitely shows ball bearings in the tie-rod end for '36. The cutaway drawings for the earlier models leave a question mark . . . it's hard to tell whether they're ball bearing or not. A design that came out in '38 carries a note that it's the service replacement for the '36 - '38 models.

Well......wrong again. I guess I should have done a little research of my own before making a fool of myself but that would have been Soooooooo out of character. It did, however, inspire others to prove my guess to be wrong, so all was not lost.
'Til next time,
F

Frank, you can check out the 1930-1939 Chassis parts book in the online library @

http://hetclub.org/burr/lithomepage.htm

Look under 1930-1939 Manuals.

Hudsonly,
Alex B

I bet you can buy replacements from Rare Parts, Inc.

OK, quit beating me :pinch: ....I do have the 30-'36 Master Chassis Parts Book here but failed to take the time to look.....aka, "too lazy to look", a mistake I will probably make again.
F

My thanks to all who have posted on this thread. So far, no one has admitted to actually holding a ball bearing tie rod end in hand.

Shucks ! I would have liked it a lot better if several had showed up and told me they are available at the right source.

The 1934-37 Mechanical Procedures Manual makes it pretty plain that easy steering requires the least friction that can be in the king pins and tie rod ends. That is nothing new, and is not unique to Hudson-made cars.

In my limited experience, the manufacturer's parts are at least a little better and work a little better than any aftermarket parts. So, once more, has anyone actually held one of the elusive ball bearing tie rod ends in his hand ?

And now a new request: Can anyone suggest a source for them ?

Failing that, can anyone suggest a source of the sure enough 1936 Second Type rod ends pictured in the 1934-37 Manual?

I will try Rare Parts, Inc.

I tried Rare Parts, Inc. They don't have the ball bearing type tie rod ends 🙁 , but can make them, given either an sample piece or detailed specifications 🙂 . They would use some commercially available ball bearing.

I don't have either a rod end or the specifications, at least not yet. I feel sure an old worn out rusty tie rod end would do.

I tried Packard Industries (the Kanters in Boonton, NJ). They don't have the ball bearing rod ends 🙁 .

I will try anyone that anyone else names. I will do more research on my own. I do not usually give up, although I may have to in this case.

Does anyone know if any Hudson Motor Car Company engineering drawings (sometimes called blueprints) survive anywhere?

Can anyone name a vendor who has a stash of NOS parts, and might have the ball bearing tie rod ends, knowingly or otherwise?

Lastly, I will check my car, which is a 1934 Terraplane survivor with 40,000 to 50,000 miles on it, and see if the rod ends I seek are there.
That might turn out to be a good joke on me. I wouldn't be sore if it did.

Thanks again to all who have posted on this thread. Keep those cards and letters coming.

Robert,

I am interested in this, because eventually, I'll have to do something with my 33 Hudson. It might be that Rare Parts will find that these are interchangeable with ones that they already have, but just don't know that. Hudson probably bought them from some manufacturer to install on their cars. I would send them one if you can so they can inspect and measure it carefully, and you may get lucky....

[i]I am interested in this, because eventually, I'll have to do something with my 33 Hudson. It might be that Rare Parts will find that these are interchangeable with ones that they already have, but just don't know that. Hudson probably bought them from some manufacturer to install on their cars. I would send them one if you can so they can inspect and measure it carefully, and you may get lucky....Tim Hubler
[/i]
Thanks for your interest, Tim. The tie rod ends that Rare Parts has are the more conventional hemispherical bearing type (Actually, the bearing is much smaller than half a sphere.) with a stem rising from the bearing and a rubber dust seal. There is no question these will interchange with the OE tie rod ends.

So far, the best I have been able to do is Rare Parts' offer to at least quote on making a duplicate ball bearing rod end, given an example part or detailed specifications.

I believe that, year for year, 1934-38 Hudson and Terraplane tie rod ends are identical, and they may be identical for all those years. I haven't researched this, but know that many Hudson and Terraplane parts are identical. After all, from 1934 forward, the Terraplane was a lighter weight, shorter wheelbase version of the Hudson.

Ball bearing rod ends are, generally speaking, aircraft parts. You can find several different kinds of them on eBay. It is perhaps more than likely that Hudson bought their rod ends from an outside supplier, but it is nowhere near certain. Does anyone know?

Ball bearing tie rod ends were a Hudson distinctive until some time in 1936 (when they changed to the hemispherical bearing type), as was their transmission (1932 - up to maybe 1940), which is not like anything you have ever seen before, and their 6-cylinder engine (1934-1947) common to Terraplane and Hudson, which is again not like anything else anywhere except maybe the old Super Sixes.

So again, thank all for their interest, and keep those cards and letters coming. May one of them contain a NOS 1934 ball bearing tie rod end, or better yet, a pair.