Steering Drag link question...

I finally tore apart the steering components to inspect them (and just to clean them up) and I found that the drag link components are different from what all the manuals show. There are similar parts on both ends: a threaded plug, a spring (with a seat). However, the manuals show a LARGE plug and a SMALL plug, where both threaded pieces on mine are the same diameter, as well as having an extra ball seat on one end. The other strange part I can't figure out is the two little roller bearings that I found on the table while I was working on this... possilble they were already on the table or something... I dunno. Here's a picture of the parts, and the little roller bearings I found. Any ideas?

 

The roller bearings are what are affectionately known as 'OOPARTS' or Out of Place Artifacts. They don't belong to the assembly.

I always like to think of an 'OOPART' as a 45 caliber slug buried in a mastodon skull fossil.

The large and small threaded plug is not diameter, but length. I can see two different lengths in your picture.

They need to go back in the way the manual describes. Now, there is a fore and aft to the drag link -- I am not in the shop, so I can't tell you which is which, but if you sort of put it up there, I think it will be obvious.

Look carefully at the springs in the drag link. The last two I took apart the aft joint had a broken spring. Make sure yours isn't about to break.

I came up with a way of tightening the plugs (or loosening)

Take a spade bit for drilling holes in wood-- about 3/4"
Knock off the tip of it and clean it up on the grinder. Then grind about a 16th of an inch off of either side so that it fits into the plugs easier. You can then use a drill or vise grips to turn the plug. It is kinda tight in there, so you may have to turn the front wheels one way or the other.

If you are handy with a welder you could weld a half inch nut on the end and use a wrench on it.

It really works well for removing the plugs with 40 - 50 years of gunk and grease on them.

 

Ijust took my drag link plugs out and nospring spring plug or ball seat front or back this is a rebuild and i just found it where could u get the parts for the drag link plugs ????? 1967 cj5 225 thanx george

 

Take a look at the top of this forum. There is a sticky called "where to buy parts". Lots of info, vendors listed, and feedback there. Common places seem to be Krage, Walck's, and Debella's with good feedback.

 

thanx ill look into it need to get this project done all the small stuff thanx for ur reply george:v6: