Drag link, tie rod torque

[old31]

Do you guys actually torque your drag links and tie rods to 25 foot pounds or do you just do the 25% tightening?

 

[Synchro909]

I screw the end in just far enough to get the split pin through the holes. If I get shimmying, might tighten them a half or even a full turn more.

 

[JRrev]

I tighten until the spring is compressed then back it out one full turn. That way I know it is under compression but not locked. Of course this is with a round ball and not one that is worn oval.

 

[johnbuckley]

Do you guys actually torque your drag links and tie rods to 25 foot pounds or do you just do the 25% tightening?

Never heard of any torque figure, but have read a suggested 25 % spring compression. However I generally do it like Synchro909 post #2

 

[Bob Bidonde]

I do it this way.

 

[SAXBY2]

Bob Bidonde's method works by measuring the spring length (often 1") and compressing it 1/4" by watching the tie rod or drag link plug threads depth. This usually allows for the cotter pin to insert easily. A large screw driver can be used on the ends with the teflon / plastic seats.

 

[Jim/GA]

Bob Bidonde's method works by measuring the spring length (often 1") and compressing it 1/4" by watching the tie rod or drag link plug threads depth. This usually allows for the cotter pin to insert easily. A large screw driver can be used on the ends with the teflon / plastic seats.

I had my drag link off yesterday, so I investigated this.

My spring length is 0.92" long, so 25% of that is 0.23".

The screw plug has 20 threads per inch, so 1 full turn of the screw plug moves it in (compresses the spring) 0.05".

So to compress the spring 0.23", you need to turn the screw plug 4.6 turns.

I ran the screw plug in with my fingers and a small screw driver until the plug just touched the spring and got all the slack out of the end. Then I screwed it in to where the slot lined up with the holes for the cotter pin. From there it was easy to count 4-1/2 turns of the plug and then slip the cotter pin in.

I always do the above twice. In other words, I screw the plug in tight, to compress all the slop out of the end, the spring, the cups -- get everything seated. Then I loosen the plug fully and repeat. That way, when I am just touching the spring and beginning to compress it, I know there is no slack in there, and I count 4-1/2 turns from there.
.

 

[old ugly]

i do the spring compression idea. BUT if you get the bad low speed wobble then tighten them more. sometimes its gonna take a few road trips and getting back under the car to set them. maybe a few times.