Ford F8 Drag Link Repair Kit

[Stew Robertson]

Hi dave
if you give me some measurementts as to the length , diameter, center points and the size of the balls i may be able to help you out
stew

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Stew Robertson

Hi dave
if you give me some measurementts as to the length , diameter, center points and the size of the balls i may be able to help you out
stew

we are talking about a motor vehicle part, aren't we?

[david moore]

No worries Cliff, it is drag link balls - or cups!
Thanks Stew, I'll measure the parts as sioon as I get them completely disassembled and let you know. May be a couple of weeks yet.

Bob, yes good idea to visit Macs in person - but with gas - and accommodation its probably cheaper to order and return if necessary. Again that darned cross border shipping charge supplement by UPS/FedeX makes that pricey too! I wish they could simply put the dimensions in. It's weird how many variants in size there are for various Ford parts and how all these variants seem to have gotten through to the various CMP models. I guess Chevvies didnt have this problem from 8cwt to 15cwt?

[david moore]

Got the drag link apart and found it all in pretty good shape I reckon - no wear on the balls (if you'll pardon the expression) - the Pitman arm ball and the one at tother end that is! This is not the correct drag link according to the book for the F8 but it seems to serve OK. I think the steering box and linkage had been changed. Since the holes in the drag link are at a different distance from their respective ends, the stacking of the component cups, springs etc. had to be modified (and was when I took it apart) with the spring being outbord of the ball at one end and inboard (as per maintenence manual) at the other. Seems to work fine. Forgot to measure diameters but the balls are approx 1and 1/8 inch diam.

There was a lot of movement of the Pitman arm which I readily got back to less than 1/16 in by adjustment of the roller shaft (several turns!) once I got that pesky lock plate out.

So, don't think I need any parts now but would welcome comments - anyone done these adhustments?

Have added photo - will have to add the second one separately - as per my other thread.

[david moore]

Here,s the photo of the cups etc.

[motto (RIP)]

The reason for the drag link cups and springs on each end pointing in the same direction is to allow for shock absorption in both compression and tension.
If the springs faced each other they would only allow compressive loads to be absorbed.

David