Drag link, & tie rod

[louieglen]

I'm rebuilding the drag link, with new springs, plugs.. According to Les Andrews you should screw the the threaded plug in until 25% of the spring is compressed. What do I go by to know when I have reached thr 25%? Thanks

 

[arnhemmer]

The position of the cotter pin will fit snugly in the groove

 

[Will N]

Recommending 25% compression is fine if you know the spring rate. But are the repro springs consistent and per Ford spec? I just retightened my tie rod ends because my steering was squirrelly on rutted roads. I originally had the caps screwed in to the point where the cotter pin would must fit into the slot. Now I went 2 1/2 turns beyond that, and the car tracks much much better on rutted roads. I'd say set it, test drive, and readjust as needed. Remember, every time you change the tightness of those caps you have to reset the toe in.

 

[hotrodrich]

Will N thanks that is a great tip.