drag link

drag link

dalefan88

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79 cj5 258, t150, dana 20 transfer case, dana 30 front, 20 rear,warn hubs,2.5" procomp lift,teamrush,msd box,mc2100 carb,hedman header,clifford intake,optima battery, ford shock towers.
is it possible for the drag link to be to long? i got the tie rods what looks be turned all they way in and one tire looks good, but the other side is kicked out. i just got my camber figured out so know i got to get my toe straight. if this is so should i cut my draglink alittle shorter on that side. thats if i can even get the draglink out.
 
did you get a drag link for a wide track axle, and not the narrow track axle?

not sure. i bought it from a local jeep place here as a whole unit and the guy said it would work for a 79 cj.
 
That would make sense to me, that it was for the wrong axle type. Other than that, not sure. do you still have the old one to measure for a difference?
 
i dont have the old one. i couldnt get it out so i took my sawzall and cut it to get this one in.
 
Mine is 40" end to end if that helps
 
i just thought im calling it the wrong thing oops. i meant its the centerlink.
 
i just thought im calling it the wrong thing oops. i meant its the centerlink.

Connecting rod(steering gear to knuckle arm)..28" center to center(zirc to zirc)
Tie rod(knuckle to knuckle)..43" center to center(zirc to zirc)
 
I'm not sure I'm reading this right, it is bedtime after all.
It sounds more like the tie rod is to long to me.:confused:
The drag link (pitman arm to knuckle) should be set so the steering wheel is center and the passinger tire is straight, the tie rod would than be adjusted to bring the drivers side tire straight. (at least to get to a starting point before you fine adjust both)
Hope that makes sense.
 
I think that is what we are dealing with Old Dog, I am not to good with the terminology myself, but I understood what he was getting at.:D
 
I'm not sure I'm reading this right, it is bedtime after all.
It sounds more like the tie rod is to long to me.:confused:
The drag link (pitman arm to knuckle) should be set so the steering wheel is center and the passinger tire is straight, the tie rod would than be adjusted to bring the drivers side tire straight. (at least to get to a starting point before you fine adjust both)
Hope that makes sense.

so i should adjust the draglink ( steering gear to pass side) to move the front of the tire inward? so i should get the pass tire straight first then the drivers?
 
so i should adjust the draglink ( steering gear to pass side) to move the front of the tire inward? so i should get the pass tire straight first then the drivers?

No
Adjust the toe-in first.
Here's an easy way to adjust the toe-in on your solid front axle. The example below is a view from the top of vehicle with the front towards the bottom. Using a tape measure you simply need to measure the same reference point at the front of the tires and at the rear of the tires. A good place to measure is the inner sidewall. Make sure you are measuring the same location at the front as at the rear and make sure you are measuring at the axle tube height at both front and rear.
toe-in.gif

  1. At rear of front tires measure X.
  2. At front of front tires measure Y.
  3. Loosen the tierod clamps and then adjust the tierod so that X - Y = approximately 1/4". A little more than 1/4" is ok but you don't want much less than that. Shoot for 1/4".
  4. Tighten the tierod clamps.
  5. With the tires pointing straight ahead, adjust the draglink so your steering wheel is straight and then tighten the draglink clamps.
Adjusting Toe-in
 
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well i messed with it alittle bit ago. its is alittle closer but i grabbed my daughter and we went to the store and the highest speed was 35 mph and the death wobble is back :eek:. so i guess in need to mess with it more when i get time.
 
If the only problem with your jeep is a misaligned front end, this alone will never cause the death wobble. On the other hand if something is loose then the wobble can be made worse by the front being out of alignment.
I know Sasquach already mentioned this link but it should be required reading for anyone working on the front end.
http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/troubleshooting-correcting-your-steering-4106/
It's an excellent article and I don't know what else can be added to the topic. Just go over Step 1 to try and find any worn parts. THEN move on to adjusting the alignment.
 
i gave it alittle more toe out and it drove better. still feels like its pulling to one side alittle. i read that thread and its a good thread. it just still seams no matter what i do my pass tire is toed out alittle more and i think thats where my pulling is from.
 
are you able to get the front tires the correct distance apart, even if your steering wheel is not centered? from the way it has been described, your tie rod seems to be too long.having 1 tire pointing out will cause the pull.
 
are you able to get the front tires the correct distance apart, even if your steering wheel is not centered? from the way it has been described, your tie rod seems to be too long.having 1 tire pointing out will cause the pull.

i think this is whats going on. i just dont know if its the one on the draglink or centerlink. i bought them from the local jeep store and i think he gets them from quadratec. i wonder if i could just flip them around?
 
you should only have two adjustments to work with, 1 is from the pitman arm to the knuckle, the other is from knuckle to knuckle. Is your set up different from this?
 
I don't see how they could be reversed the tie rod (knuckle to knuckle) should be quite a bit longer than the drag link.

The tie rod will adjust the toe, by moving both wheels at the same time. (if neither one is on the ground)
the draglink will only center your steering wheel.
 

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