The Ford Barn

Mart · 07-05-2020, 02:50 PM

Hello. The drag link is different at each end. One end has the spring towards the middle of the drag link. (I'll call that the short end). The other end has the spring towards the end of the link. (I'll call that the long end) Is there a correct or preferred orientation? Long end at the steering arm or long end at the pitman arm?

Thanks in advance, Mart.

ford38v8 · 07-06-2020, 12:42 AM

Mart, I believe that the link is placed with the short end toward the steering box, thereby centering the adjustment points.

Terry,OH · 07-06-2020, 06:14 AM

You can find the assembly diagram in the Chassis parts book. The tie rod ends and the steering box, pitman, end are assembled with 3 internal parts, spring, heavy cup, and threaded cap. The steering rod end of the drag link has 4 parts including an additional thin cup. I think your calling this the long end since the spring is just after the threaded cap.

DavidG · 07-06-2020, 06:26 AM

I tend to think of it as where the ball stud holes are located in the drag link in the installed position. The ball stud hole nearest the end of the drag link is at the pitman (steering sector) arm or back end. That applies to both the LHD and RHD versions of the drag link, which are not interchangeable. The fail safe test is that the grease fittings on the drag link must point outward and not inward.

Mart · 07-06-2020, 11:57 AM

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Thanks all. I've tended to have the long end at the pitman arm end, but the 32 I'm putting together still has it's drag link and pitman arm undisturbed, this has the short end at the pitman. I will reassemble it this way around, which fits the info above. I did find a lube chart online which was good enough resolution to see the long end at the steering arm. (At the front).

Thanks fellas, it's good to get the consensus.

Mart.

07-05-2020, 02:50 PM	#1
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,752	32 Ford drag link question. Hello. The drag link is different at each end. One end has the spring towards the middle of the drag link. (I'll call that the short end). The other end has the spring towards the end of the link. (I'll call that the long end) Is there a correct or preferred orientation? Long end at the steering arm or long end at the pitman arm? Thanks in advance, Mart.

07-06-2020, 12:42 AM	#2
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,645	Re: 32 Ford drag link question. Mart, I believe that the link is placed with the short end toward the steering box, thereby centering the adjustment points. __________________ Alan

07-06-2020, 06:14 AM	#3
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: 32 Ford drag link question. You can find the assembly diagram in the Chassis parts book. The tie rod ends and the steering box, pitman, end are assembled with 3 internal parts, spring, heavy cup, and threaded cap. The steering rod end of the drag link has 4 parts including an additional thin cup. I think your calling this the long end since the spring is just after the threaded cap.

07-06-2020, 06:26 AM	#4
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: 32 Ford drag link question. I tend to think of it as where the ball stud holes are located in the drag link in the installed position. The ball stud hole nearest the end of the drag link is at the pitman (steering sector) arm or back end. That applies to both the LHD and RHD versions of the drag link, which are not interchangeable. The fail safe test is that the grease fittings on the drag link must point outward and not inward.

07-06-2020, 11:57 AM	#5
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,752	Re: 32 Ford drag link question. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks all. I've tended to have the long end at the pitman arm end, but the 32 I'm putting together still has it's drag link and pitman arm undisturbed, this has the short end at the pitman. I will reassemble it this way around, which fits the info above. I did find a lube chart online which was good enough resolution to see the long end at the steering arm. (At the front). Thanks fellas, it's good to get the consensus. Mart.