Fred, they sound like very simlar problems. My ball socket is plenty large enough, it just is aligned off to the side enough that it binds. If I move the anchor end in where it lines up better I think everything will be fine.
I think it would take a lot more than a little flex to ruin the fork. It is a Hayes Street/Strip clutch.
http://www.moparsupercenter.com/Prod...845_26911.html
My fork