Drag link doesn't fit right

Bill Goddard

Bill Goddard

Well-known member
I have a problem with my drag link assembly. The end that goes on the pitman arm is unique among the 4 ends of drag link/tie rod ends. This end has a special cupped disk designed to go into the recess next to the grease fitting. It is very close to the grease fitting when assembled. Also the steel cover surrounding the rubber seal is touching the grease fitting and the edge of the large opening under the rubber seal is visable. Also the ball does not want to sit right between the 2 cups - it tips when I tighten the plug to set the cotter pin and won't allow the pitman arm to lay flat against the frame when assembled on the steering sector shaft. This is a mess. Can someone give me a hand here? Thanks Bill G

P.S. I thought at first one of the four sets for the end assemblies must be offset to allow the seal to cover the opening and clear the grease fitting but after checking I find they are all the same - symetrical.
 
Is the pittman ball out of round so far it allows the steel cup to hit the grease fitting?

I don't quite understand the problem with the arm fitting " flat against the frame." If bolted tight to the sector shaft, the drag link should not affect the pittman arm one bit.

install the arm to the sector shaft, ball facing toward the oil pan, install the grease seal and cups, insert the thin cup into the drag link, insuring it is well seated in the inside, install the link over the pittman arm, you might need a C clamp to compress the rubber seal, install the outer cup and spring, install the plug, compress the spring 1/4 its length by tightening the plug and cotter it.
 
The pitman arm is a new resoration with SST ball welded over a turned stud. I did as you said but I assembled the link to the pitman arm BEFORE I installed it on the sector shaft. When I lay the pitman against the frame the flat surface is not parallel or flat against the frame. If I assemble the arm to the sector shaft it will go flat to the frame but there will be a heavy load on the link and ball, the steel shield will push against the grease fitting and collapse the steel. I have bent it out once already. When I took the parts apart last fall I remember they were all bent up but I assumed they had been poorly maintained or assembled. Now I don't see how they could ever could have been right these last 80 yrs.
The standards say that in Oct 28 the drag link was reversed and the unique end was put on the pitman arm and the end similar to the tie rod ends was put forward. Did they mean they just turned the part they were using around or did they design a new part that took care of this problem? Maybe I've got the original part and it cannot be turned around. Was there a new part made to accomplish the same thing?
 
The service bulletins show the grease fittings and state they were relocated to accommodate the new position. So the links are different. If you have the earlier link, the grease fitting will face down instead of out if it is an old style assembled the new way. Facing down or up the grease fitting will hit the steel cups on their high edge.
 
Thanks for your help. I think the fitting should face down or in toward the engine, but mine faces out next to the hole. I am going to plug the hole for the fitting and make a new hole pointing down away from the steel cap. Thanks for your help.

P.S. on second thought, I will plug the hole over smooth and forget it . I'm using teflon discs anyway.
 
sounds like you have the earlier link. A word of warning on teflon buttons...the end you are struggling with fits with much difficulty on them. I usually have to install both seats and the spring and screw the plug in just a few threads, then snap it on the ball using a rubber mallet. For some reason, the teflon seat or the spring on that end is either too large or the ball is, or a combination of all three. Compress the rubber seal with a C clamp or a large vise grip. Tighten it to the nearest point it will take the cotter pin. The spring will be darn near fully compressed. After a short while it will all wear in and seat well. I suspect the thin teflon seat is slightly too large and does not fully seat until its pressurized by the spring and some steering movement.
 
You're right. I discovered the rubber hammer. I use some teflon grease to help it along. It pops on and off easy. I don't see how the link was EVER right. If I turn the ends around I will then have the interference problem with the grease fitting on the steering arm ball. I will plug the grease hole and get on with my restoration. Thanks for your help.
 
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