The Ford Barn

Lon5ie · 07-23-2015, 05:58 AM

I am putting together a 47 mercury and can't quite determine the proper way to install the drag link. The link has the "Fixed" ball end and the other end has the replaceable end with the drag link adjuster sleeve. All the diagrams I have seen in the manuals show the adjustable sleeve on the spindle end, not the pitman end. But the only way I can see installing the drag link is with the non replaceable end toward the spindle and the adjustable sleeve with replaceable end toward the pitman arm. It appears that both ends install with the nuts on the bottom side due to taper in the spindle and pitman arm. Is this correct?. I have almost no clearance where the link goes under the right hand torsion bar.

1931 flamingo · 07-23-2015, 02:27 PM

Not sure on the install but you may have a "weak" front spring??
Paul in CT

Lon5ie · 07-23-2015, 04:02 PM

Should have mentioned that there is no weight on the front end as I have the engine and all fenders etc...removed

flathead48 · 07-23-2015, 08:11 PM

I would place adjustable end on pitman arm

Teich · 07-23-2015, 08:21 PM

Above is correct adjuster to the pitman arm, the nut will face down on both ends, when you steer to the right the drag link gets real close to the radius arm. Laurie

Lon5ie · 07-24-2015, 05:13 AM

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Thanks a bunch for the reply...I thought so as it seemed like it was the only way it fit.......but all Ford and Mercury chassis manuals show it with adjuster towards pitman end. I really appreciate your response and now I can stop wondering! Thanks so much!!!

George/Maine · 07-24-2015, 06:26 AM

I has a 48 with no nose or engine and was hitting the wish bone.
If its bent right when together shouldn't hit.
You want the steering wheel in middle and right front straight then adjust to link up.

Lon5ie · 07-24-2015, 07:44 AM

Makes sense...then won't have to adjust later.......Thanks so much for your help!

rich b · 07-24-2015, 11:09 PM

Doesn't the fixed end of your drag link have an angle built in to it right at the knuckle? If the fixed end was attached to the spindle, it would aim down instead of upward toward the pitman arm (at least the drag links I have are made that way).

I suspect your clearance problem results from no engine weight.

Lon5ie · 07-25-2015, 11:05 AM

There is no angle built into it right at the fixed end...I believe that may have been for earlier models? It has a bend about a foot or so in and bends upward toward the adjusting sleeve end which then fits into the pitman arm side. I think the fixed end does go on the spindle end. I think the clearance is due to no weight. Thanks for your thoughts!

07-23-2015, 05:58 AM	#1
Lon5ie Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Berwick Maine Posts: 28	47 mercury drag link question I am putting together a 47 mercury and can't quite determine the proper way to install the drag link. The link has the "Fixed" ball end and the other end has the replaceable end with the drag link adjuster sleeve. All the diagrams I have seen in the manuals show the adjustable sleeve on the spindle end, not the pitman end. But the only way I can see installing the drag link is with the non replaceable end toward the spindle and the adjustable sleeve with replaceable end toward the pitman arm. It appears that both ends install with the nuts on the bottom side due to taper in the spindle and pitman arm. Is this correct?. I have almost no clearance where the link goes under the right hand torsion bar. Last edited by Lon5ie; 07-23-2015 at 10:11 AM.

07-23-2015, 02:27 PM	#2
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: 47 mercury drag link question Not sure on the install but you may have a "weak" front spring?? Paul in CT

07-23-2015, 04:02 PM	#3
Lon5ie Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Berwick Maine Posts: 28	Re: 47 mercury drag link question Should have mentioned that there is no weight on the front end as I have the engine and all fenders etc...removed

07-23-2015, 08:11 PM	#4
flathead48 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Posts: 1,111	Re: 47 mercury drag link question I would place adjustable end on pitman arm

07-23-2015, 08:21 PM	#5
Teich Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Brandon Mb Canada Posts: 133	Re: 47 mercury drag link question Above is correct adjuster to the pitman arm, the nut will face down on both ends, when you steer to the right the drag link gets real close to the radius arm. Laurie

07-24-2015, 05:13 AM	#6
Lon5ie Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Berwick Maine Posts: 28	Re: 47 mercury drag link question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks a bunch for the reply...I thought so as it seemed like it was the only way it fit.......but all Ford and Mercury chassis manuals show it with adjuster towards pitman end. I really appreciate your response and now I can stop wondering! Thanks so much!!!

07-24-2015, 06:26 AM	#7
George/Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mid coast Maine Posts: 1,878	Re: 47 mercury drag link question I has a 48 with no nose or engine and was hitting the wish bone. If its bent right when together shouldn't hit. You want the steering wheel in middle and right front straight then adjust to link up.

07-24-2015, 07:44 AM	#8
Lon5ie Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Berwick Maine Posts: 28	Re: 47 mercury drag link question Makes sense...then won't have to adjust later.......Thanks so much for your help!

07-24-2015, 11:09 PM	#9
rich b Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,827	Re: 47 mercury drag link question Doesn't the fixed end of your drag link have an angle built in to it right at the knuckle? If the fixed end was attached to the spindle, it would aim down instead of upward toward the pitman arm (at least the drag links I have are made that way). I suspect your clearance problem results from no engine weight.

07-25-2015, 11:05 AM	#10
Lon5ie Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Berwick Maine Posts: 28	Re: 47 mercury drag link question There is no angle built into it right at the fixed end...I believe that may have been for earlier models? It has a bend about a foot or so in and bends upward toward the adjusting sleeve end which then fits into the pitman arm side. I think the fixed end does go on the spindle end. I think the clearance is due to no weight. Thanks for your thoughts!