Abstract: Ball rounding apparatus includes a rotatable inner rolling die and a stationary outer die. Forged steel balls travel through an arcuate path between the dies for final rounding. The stationary outer die is made up from a plurality of segments known as die shoes. A plurality of circumferentially-spaced die shoe tension take up devices bias the die shoes toward the inner die. The die shoe tension take up devices include a one-piece plunger having an enlarged head with a flat outer surface engaging the die shoes. An integral smaller diameter shaft extends from the head of the plunger, and a small radius is formed between the shaft and head. The plunger shaft is guided for longitudinal movement through a guide sleeve, and a coil spring is positioned between the plunger head and guide sleeve for urging the head into engagement with the die shoes. The guide sleeve is adjustable for varying the distance between such sleeve and the plunger head to vary the force exerted by the coil spring.