Is this bent?

[John Mc]

Guys, is this draglink to my '39 1/2 Ton bent? Although I guess its not unusaul to have this bent, this looks to me like it has a "factory bend".

Two other questions please: If bent, can/should it straightened? How is the ball joint replaced at the end of the link? Thanks in advance.

 

[rotorwrench]

The drawings in the old Ford Green Bible parts book all indicate that they are straight as an arrow but they are drawings. Ford generally only "adjusted" things for minor clearance issues. If you can't see any clearance issued apply then it was probably straight. I can remember a friend of mine beating one straight with a rock after a four wheeling stint. It was better but not exactly straight after that.

kerby

 

[Tinker]

Mine is a 38' and has a slight bend, similar to the left side of yours. But not a sharp bend like the right side in the picture.

If you have press you could straighten it some.

Maybe more barns can help though.

 

[hotcoupe]

to answer the question "how is the ball joint replaced", it isn`t replaced. the drag link assembly is replaced. check with dennis carpenter.

 

[TerryOH]

it does have a couple of bends but I believe they are original to the piece. This is the 11A or 1941 replacement drag link. I believe the bends are there to kick the threaded end up slightly for road clearance when the threaded collar and the tie rod end are installed. As mentioned previously the tie rod end on this piece is not replaceable, the drag link is supposed to be replaced if necessary.

 

[345 DeSoto]

The drag link on the 40 front end in my 32 has similar bends. They line up the steering arm/pitman arm. I got it that way...