Drag Link Damaged, Replacement Options

[jeremywrags]

Hi All,

Rig Details: 1975 K5 4X4 350\TH350\NP203 4" Lift 8x10-33X12.50

Lately my steering has been crap and after a little investigation I have found that my front Drag Link is stripped. In fact the only thing that is holding it on is the cotter pin... I think that due to the lift there may have been to much pressure on the link?

Anyway, I need a new one today and wanted to know what you guys thought about the options.

Option 1. Original Replacements for around $30.00 each (front and rear)
Option 2. An adjustable link to take into account for my lift? like this, http://www.4wheelparts.com/Steering...=76&t_s=430&t_pt=4482&t_pl=3762&t_pn=SKYGMDL4

I am new to 4x4 and lifting trucks so I need some advice here.

Any thoughts would be great.

Thanks

 

[scottsdale86]

Are you running a raised steering arm? If not that could be part of your problem. Not to mention the outer tie rods, the pitman to steering arm links. Replaced all of mine (4 in total) with some MOOG stuff when i went with a 4' lift. Figured if i am going to stick with the sucky GM steering might as well make it as good as i can. Pics would help. I stay away from the adjustable link. Lots of horror stories of those going sideways.

 

[496truck]

The original drag link is adjustable anyways for alignment purposes.

What you want to avoid is the "offset" drag links, like the ones in your link. With your 4" lift you should have one of 2 things, either a raised steering arm off the knuckle or a dropped pitman arm. Whichever you have the end result is a drag link that sits level. If you have neither of these the draglink sits at an angle which is bad.

As long as the one you have sits level just replace the worn ends, maybe the adjustment sleeve if it looks bad. If it's not level you will need more parts, like the raised steering arm or drop pitman arm.

Pics of the issues you have run into in the last week or so can go a long way here for advice or procedure to repair.

 

[jeremywrags]

Thanks for the Advice, that's exactly the way I am going. I decided not to mess with the pitman arm and got a Raised Steering arm from 4WheelParts. The Steering arm and new Drag links were cheaper than the "offset" drag links and as you said will be the much better option.

Going to bolt everything up tonight, I hope everything fits nicely.

Thanks

 

[scottsdale86]

Make sure you use a penetrating oil and big hammer to remove the factory steering arm. If it is anything like mine you will have to beat the **** out of it to get it off because of years of rust and pressure. I noticed you are a fellow inland empire member. If you need some reference let me know and maybe we can meet up. I'm in san bernardino but got folks in corona. Let us know how it goes.

 

[jeremywrags]

Yea the guys at 4XParts said the same thing. I am going to soak it in PB Blaster for a while then commence to hammering. He Also said something about washers in the old arm, do I need to salvage those?

 

[scottsdale86]

Yes the cone washers. Or buy new ones.

 

[jeremywrags]

Cool, thanks