'71 Blazer, drag link ends mixed up?

[Joe Blaze]

I ordered the replacement drag link setup from LMC, and the new one consists of three pieces, two different ends and an adjusting sleeve. My original one was a one-piece. Is there a problem if i have the front and rear ones mixed up? I wasn't there when my guy put them on, and i dont know which one he put in the front or back. Why would the two pieces be different sizes? Are they forged at different angles? Does this photo look right? it looks like it is at an angle to me.

This was the old original one:

 

[scottishdave]

Yes....that is the type most of us have on our trucks. I believe the longer one should attach to the pitman arm, and the shorter to the steering arm. With an adjustment sleeve in the middle.

 

[Z71paramedic]

as for the angle, you just had a lift installed correct? If so, the added angle is due to the axle being farther away from the steering box now. The angle looks fine, but if you're concerned with it they make a lifted steering arm that bolts to the drivers side knuckle on the axle to help with that.

 

[scottishdave]

If you have either a drop pitman arm or a raised steering arm (Not both) then you are fine. Especialy since its only a two inch lift. I doubt you even need it at all with a 2" lift. As long as it is not some crazy angle like 45* or something then you will be fine.

How does she drive? that will usualy tell you real quick if something is wrong.

 

[Joe Blaze]

i just got a response on another forum, the parts are basically identical except for the direction of the threads. It doesn't matter which way they go on, but that is why they have different part numbers.

 

[Z71paramedic]

That's so when you turn the adjustment sleeve it lengthens or shortens the whole assembly and adjusts the position of the steering wheel. If your wheel is not straight while driving this is the piece that needs adjusted. If tge truck pulls or has abnormal tire wear then the tie rods need adjusted.

 

[Greg72]

If you have either a drop pitman arm or a raised steering arm (Not both) then you are fine. Especialy since its only a two inch lift. I doubt you even need it at all with a 2" lift. As long as it is not some crazy angle like 45* or something then you will be fine.

How does she drive? that will usualy tell you real quick if something is wrong.

The other giveaway is if you finish the job and the truck turns really tight in one direction but really wide in the other. That is the ultimate test of whether the drag link is the correct length or not. It's possible to have the wheel pointing straight but still be really far off on the drag link length.

 

[Joe Blaze]

The other giveaway is if you finish the job and the truck turns really tight in one direction but really wide in the other. That is the ultimate test of whether the drag link is the correct length or not. It's possible to have the wheel pointing straight but still be really far off on the drag link length.

Yeah man, I had that issue when I picked it up from my guy. And the steering wheel was off about 90 degrees. He finally got it correct.