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Lengthen or shorten adj. drag link?

BucksNBroncs

Jr. Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2016
Messages
152
Loc.
Klamath Falls
I just installed a heim steering linkage so now have adjustable drag link to fine tune/center steering. Currently I can turn slightly more towards passenger side. For those who have gone through this process, do I need to lengthen drag link or shorten? Thanks in advance
 

thegreatjustino

Contributor
Red Head Grease Monkey
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
16,008
Loc.
Stockton, CA
Drive and stop the Bronco so you're going in a straight line. Disconnect the drag link from the pitman arm. Turn the steering wheel from lock to lock counting the turns. Divide by two and turn the wheel from lock that many turns. The steering will be centered. If the steering wheel is off, remove and reorient it. Check the pitman arm to make sure it's pointing straight back or close to it (stock was slightly to the driver side if I recall correctly). Once you have all of this done, hook the drag link back up to the pitman arm adjusting its length as necessary.

All of this should be done with the trac bar adjusted correctly provided you have an adjustable one of those as well. If your chassis isn't centered over your front end, it's never going to be perfect.
 

Steve83

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jul 16, 2003
Messages
9,130
Loc.
Memphis, TN, USA, Earth, Milky Way
I agree - the drag link isn't for equalizing the steering. Start at the beginning, and get everything right. Use the track (panhard) bar to center the axle under the frame at normal ride height. Center the steering box, and then the wheel & pitman arm (check for twisted splines between the pitman & the box). Then get it aligned professionally.
 

Broncobowsher

Total hack
Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
35,710
Providing you have the toe set already (if not this must be done first), drive in a straight line and note where the steering wheel is. Pull into the garage and set the steering wheel at that location. This sets the wheels in a straight ahead position.

Unbolt the drag link from the pitman arm. This will separate the steering box from any external limitations. Cycle the steering lock to lock, count the turns. Set the steering halfway between locks. So if you have 4½ turns lock to lock, set the steering at 2¼ from either lock. (hint, use a bungee cord to tie it off to the roll cage so you don't bump it later) Don't worry if the steering wheel isn't straight, more then likely it won't be. This step is only to center the steering box. We will fix the crooked steering wheel later.

Now that we have the steering box centered, and the wheels pointing straight ahead, bolt the drag link back up. Do not force it. Adjust the ends so the bolt drops right in. Tighten the bolt holding the heim to the pitman arm. If the steering wheel is straight (or straight enough if you care) lock down the adjusters and you are good to go.

If you want the steering wheel straight as well there are a couple of extra simple steps. With the steering wheel still in that tied off position, remove the wheel. (depends on what wheel you have but a puller is generally needed. Sometimes with an aftermarket wheel there are enough bolt holes you can just reclock on those holes) Put the steering wheel on as close to straight as you can and bolt it back down. Not done yet. With the lock nuts on the track bar still loose go for a drive around the block. At this point you can reach under and give a minor nudge (half turn is a good starting point) to the track bar. Drive a little more and if it got worse, go the other way. I think it took about 5 adjustments and less then one lap around the block to get that final touch and the steering wheel was completely centered. Lock everything down.

You will now have even steering left to right. If not you have a damaged steering stop bolt at a knuckle. The steering box will be centered while going straight down the road, that is where the steering box is tightest at.
 

doghows72

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jan 5, 2005
Messages
2,036
^^x3 When I di mine I took off all the linkage and started by dropping plum bobs from the frame to the axle on both sides. Install trac bar and center axle under frame.
Turn steering box lock to lock and count turns. Divide by two and center box. Adjust drag link to fit without pulling or binding.
Pull steering wheel off and center it on the shaft splines. Now my axle is centered, steering box is centered and steering wheel is aligned.
Take to alignment shop for final tuning and four wheel alignment.
 
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