Drag Link Ends & Tie Rod Ends

The drag link end at the steer axle end of your drag link is showing signs of wear and needs replacing. The common practice  is that you take it to your local parts outlet , the parts interpreter measures the thread, length and checks the size for taper and gives you a replacement and all appears to be fine. Perhaps not !!

Take a look at the photos below .Here a tie rod end was fitted to the axle end of the drag link .Tie rod ends have a limited degrees of ball stud oscillation , typically 20-25 where as drag links ends  will have up to 50 degrees. 

Because of the limited ball stud movement the tie rod end in this example ran out of travel as the front spring was deflected and applied enormous twisting loads to the steering arm resulting in steering arm failure and loss of steering.

It is essential to compare the amount of available ball stud movement between the old and the replacement drag link end before the new component is installed. The shorter the drag link ,the more critical this is because the ball stud has to oscillate more as the suspension moves.

Check out our page on drag links or Contact Hydrosteer for more information.