36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

I just bought this 4 door sedan from the original owner earlier this year. The steering was stopping halfway thru the travel when turning left. turns out the drag link adj sleeve is hitting the oil pan very hard. It has a huge gouge and I am surprised it it is not leaking. This needs to be addressed immediately. The motor is a 49-53 Merc flathead. I read in another thread that was about a 37 ford that the adjuster was on the passenger side. Mine is on the drivers side. If it was on the passenger side it would not be near the pan. Is it possible that this could have been installed backwards? Any help would be appreciated

Thanks...David

Re: 36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

The drag link should go to the RH wheel and it's steering arm with the adjuster near the wheel.

Re: 36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

Hi Terry,
I'm a little confused with you post.The drag link goes to both wheels, but the adjuster is much closer to the Drivers side of the car. Is this correct? If not, could I just flip it around and reconnect it? Then the adjuster sleeve would be on the passenger side and not be hitting the oil pan? Could it possible be that easy?

Re: 36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

Are you confusing drag link and tie rod? The drag link goes from the steering box arm to the RH spindle. The tie rod connects the LH & RH spindles.

Re: 36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

Yes, my bad. It is the drag link and it only goes to the passenger side wheel. but the adjuster is much closer to the Drivers side of the car, right near the steering arm. as I said previously, is this correct? If not, could I just flip it around and reconnect it? Then the adjuster sleeve would be on the passenger side and not be hitting the oil pan?

Re: 36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

re-read post #2

Re: 36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

show picture of pan---later merc pans have fit problems in early cars

Re: 36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

40cpe. When post 2 was posted I was confused and had the 2 bars mixed up for some reason. So back to my question and this may seem stupid. How do I get the adjuster configured correctly so it is next to the wheel. Not much of a suspension guy, can i just flip it around and re-attach the ends?

Re: 36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

I will try and take a pic tomorrow. This is not a show car so it may scare you!!!
I believe it is a truck oil pan because it has a big clean-out cover and a monster hex drain plug. I think it is 2" wide

Re: 36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

Should not be that difficult to remove (with the correct tool) and give it a try.

Re: 36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

Here are some pics of the pan and suspension I am asking about

Re: 36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

No, I realize what you are saying, I am asking you is it as easy as just disconnecting at the steering arm end and the wheel end and just flipping it around so the adjuster would now be next to the passenger side wheel, or do I have to do more than this?

Re: 36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

Please see the diagram from the Green Book below. As JSeery mentions, the drag link can be flipped end to end. The best way is with a proper removal tool and not a "pickle fork". Search for a "front end service kit".

Re: 36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

From you pics. It looks like your adjuster is way out. Have you checked the adjustment ? Is your steering wheel centered with wheels pointed straight?

Re: 36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

That adjuster is WAY threaded out as Marko39 mentions and doesn't seem like much thread engagement is there. After you check the steering wheel position as he mentions, the next thing to check is whether you have the wrong and too short drag link.

Re: 36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

You could start by just rotating the adjuster sleeve for clearance.

Re: 36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

Correct me if I am wrong but it looks like the draglink has been hitting the wishbone & has damaged it? I can't see any damage to the oil pan in the pictures?

Re: 36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

I have the same oil pan in my '38. With the steering box centered and the drag link connected, there was very little left-turn movement allowed. As The pitman arm moved toward the pan, the drag link moves to the rear of the car and contacts the oil pan. I bent my pitman arm down to clear the pan as I didn't discover this until the engine was installed and running. Once I learn a legitimate way to correct it, I intend to remove my engine for that and some other items that bug me.

Re: 36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

Does the crank hole line up with the crankshaft ratchet?--- perhaps the engine is too low in the chassis--- some later engine conversion need motor mounts with spacers

Re: 36 Ford drag link orientation question
 

This diagram is for a 37, and it shows the adjuster sleeve on the steering arm side, not the wheel. This is exactly what I have on my car and as 40cpe said:"As The pitman arm moved toward the pan, the drag link moves to the rear of the car and contacts the oil pan"