Installed the main drag link

[Audra]

Decided to get the main drag link out of the way.

This is how it looked before:

[Audra]

close up of old main drag link

[Audra]

so after removing the rubber wrapping, (she moved VERY freely and once removed could spin around like a top with movement inthe up down range as well when installed)

[Audra]

Before taking anything apart measured 33 and 1/2 inches from grease nub to grease nub called a zerk? and also counted the threads where the main drag link screwed in to the connector and the tie rod screwed in to thetie rod end. 15 threads on the passenger side and 11 on the drivers. I was basically trying to get it as close as possible to keep the alignment sorta close to where it was.

[Audra]

The two grease things can be found at one end of the drag link under the pitman? arm, and then on the undernetah of the other end where it connects to the tire.

[Audra]

Started with the connector on the inside of the passenger side tire and loosened the bolt on the right there. This will allow the main drag link to be unscrewed. Ended up being easiest to use a line wrench on it

[Audra]

Next removed both nuts and keys on top of the drag link. One where it connected to the tie rod on the drivers side and one where it connected to the pitman arm. Have both of them circled on here, and the little grease zerk is underlined if you didn't see where it was.

[Audra]

Next I used a tie rod fork to take off both connections. Just ease it inbetween and then pound it with a metal hammer (3 lb or so mallet). For guys this is supposed to take two good hits to knock out. For me this was a lovely 35 minutes of cussing and about 25 hits per connection, but they do eventually come right off.

[Audra]

close up almost there

[Audra]

Eventually the first bar did come out. I rested it on the frame as shown here moving it as little as possible in hopes of keeping my alignment somewhat ok.

[Audra]

Eventually the entire thing does pop off:

[Audra]

Time to unscrew the Main Drag link from the connector I loosened earlier near the passenger tire

[Audra]

Atthis point I have a major crises. The drag link I bought is the wrong one! I really hate parts stores. So I pack everything up, drag all of the tools in rush back to the parts store to hear those words we all dread "sorry don't have one here". but hey they had one in Omaha. So I ran up to omaha. Now what I left out is the part where the guy behind the counter ask me if this is the main drag link for the front or rear of the truck. Um come again? At the risk of sounding like an idiot I only thought there was one of those on trucks. yeah he had rocks for brains. So get up to Omaha, the part is different. http://www.fourdoorbronco.com/temp/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/down.gif There is a metal bar on it which was not on the original. I would be no big deal but it would mean taking off the connector which I can't do because some idiot in the past mangled the nut there. So we frantically hunt down a shop at past 9pm on a saturday night who is willing to weld this bar off. Run up town following the oreilleys guy (oh yeah omaha guys rock! took me all the way there, then went in the shop and introduced me to the guy who not only welded it off for free but got under one of his F series trucks to point out what he could while he had me there. Shop was called Twins Auto on south 48th street and he was fantastic. So say all the thank yous and run back home. This is how the new part looks with the weld spot where the bar was removed and where I am of course screwing it into:)

[Audra]

What I forgot to mention is that unscrewing that main drag link and screwing it back in usually takes a very large pipe wrench. In my case mine has been so well oiled by my trucks oil leak that it was easy as pie. I hand did the pipes.

In this pis I have already screwed it in so that the measurments are correct when held up and the amount of threads exposed are exactly the same as the last one. Now time to connect those ends.

[Audra]

Since everything is lined up time to tighten down the bolt on the connecting end.

[Audra]

At this point I had an actual stick bug that came to visit. Must have thought I looked like a tree??? Either way he just would not go away. Eventually had to be tossed in the direction of the closest tree. Never saw an actual stick bug before.

[Audra]

Much, much easier to put everything back together than it was to take it apart. Just slip back on, bolt and key it and make sure everything is tight. Double check measurements to be sure you are close to where you started.

Then I back it up and down the driveway. Stop take a look

Turn all the way left in the drive way stop check it out. Turned it all the way right in the driveway, stopped checked it out. Then took it down the street and back. Stopped checked it out. And yes I was anal. Took it 5 miles to the grocery store stopped checked it out then romped around their parking lot hitting the potholes. Stopped checked it out. Then took it on the freeway for one exit to test drive it. Still holding perfect. http://www.fourdoorbronco.com/temp/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[adrianspeeder]

Wow, excellent work.

What are you wearing for footwear while workin on the truck? I hope not those flipflop things i see in the one shot. Can you say ouch if you drop something?

How is it turnin now?

Adrianspeeder

[Audra]

flip flops?http://www.fourdoorbronco.com/temp/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif I don't even own a pair of flip flops, those are sandals. And I don't drop stuff on my foot, that is usually other people who do that. And since no one else works with me on the truck while I do, no problems there. http://www.fourdoorbronco.com/temp/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

D.

and yep truck has a very nice turn now. I need to replace those ends soon imo, but hey that is just how that truck is.