Why did this bend?

[DUR71 THOUGHTS]

Just curious as to the reason why my drag link assembly? (bar that runs between two front wheels with ball joints on either end, called three wreckers and they all called it a different bloody name!!!) bent while attempting Carnage Canyon on Friday. There were no rocks that I smashed it on. It bent while attempting a climb up a one metre rock face.

Managed to straighten it out again by using the bottle jack to jack it straight while it was still attached to the hilux.

Should I replace it or I was thinking about just welding a piece of angle iron to it to give it extra support.

Wayne

[ORSM45]

the link that runs between the tyres is the tie rod. the drag link is the one that goes from the tie rod to the steering box's pitman arm.

maybe you bent it previously but it was insignificant until there was a side load on the tyre forcing it to bend.

my theory on breaking things like that is dont spend money on repairs, spend it on upgrades.

id rather get a set of bomb proof rods. angle iron is ugly and im not sure of the legal bits on doing it.

[DUR71 THOUGHTS]

Upgrading was my first thought also, but I rang ARB and TJM and both said that there are no aftermarket parts to replace it.

Would prefer to buy bigger and better so it doesn't happen again, but where will I get it from. Any ideas????

[spazbot]

snake racing or core make them
also any good custom 4x4 shop will be able to help you

[RUFF]

www.core4x4.com.au

Ive been running a CORE steering link on my hilux for a couple of years now and its still as straight as it was when i bought it. They are allso not that expensive. I have a dint in the front of my diffhousing from this hitting it and its still straight. I wouldnt use any other brand and Brett will look after everyone. He wont stuff you around.

[STIKA]

Try Les duffell at Brisbane axel and trailer components they are some where around Manly West

Les has the gear and will make it suit your needs

[phippsy]

Go with what RUFF said, I got a solid one for my lux when I bent the original, but some of the people I've talked to at places like TJM & ARB wouldn't know IFS from a leaf sprung vehicle.

[bubs]

CORE, i had bent many tie rods before replacing mine with a 30mm solid one from CORE. i wheeled on it and smashed into it many times. Still straight as the day I bought it, it is now under the 83lux and has been since antts ormeau run many months ago

[Roktruk]

Should I replace it or I was thinking about just welding a piece of angle iron to it to give it extra support.

Wayne

After market is the way to go. Welding ANYTHING to steering components is totally illegal, and I don't think any engineer would pass it.

[bj on roids]

personally i would remove it, lay into it with a hammer, and then weld something on it, but i dont care about legality, and i am poor

[berazafi]

i used to own a capella (2wd) and used to do alot of ralliey and kept bending them. I got sick of replacing them so welded a bit of a swaybar to the bottom of it, it never bended again and was the only good part of the car left when i wreaked it......

[Macca177]

I did exact same except i was going down hill when mine bent... i replaced my drag link with a heavy duty dropped drag link...they are like a Z type shape....thast ur best cheapest way....i think aprox $200??? brand new. you can change urslef but will need a wheel alinment after.
But ive since stuffed the rest of the steering so i have the rig booked in to get a Powersteer setup with X/over....thats my suggestion to do if u have the $$$

[DUR71 THOUGHTS]

Core will do me a 30mm heavy duty bar for $240. Snake racing's equivalent wil cost me $285.

Will keep looking but don't think I will get it cheaper than Core4x4's price.

Thanx for your help guys.

Wayne

[RUFF]

The CORE one will also be Chromo where as im fairly sure the Snake Racing one is Bright Mild Steel.

[bazzle]

When i had a Hilux I bent mine and temporarily fixed it by sliding a bit of water pipe over it and silasticing the ends.
it was still there when I sold it.

Bazzle