Bent Sierra NT Drag Link Solutions Sought

Post by **christover1** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:49 am

Obviously I could go buy another one.
It hasn't been a huge issue, only bent 2 in many years. 1 before power steering and Mongrels, and another 1 after.

Is there a stronger one, can I strengthen it, or just keep spares.
Thanx All,
christover

Post by **roc box** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:32 am

straighten it and laminate it with some heavier tube maybe.this would be cheap and effective.

Post by **christover1** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:36 pm

roc box wrote:straighten it and laminate it with some heavier tube maybe.this would be cheap and effective.

That is most probably the answer, but I may do it to a good one.

christover

Post by **Captain Carnage** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 5:16 pm

straighten it and Weld sum 25x25x5mm angle iron along it.... I haven’t tried it but know a guy who did it to his and seams to work....cheap fix or I think snake racing make a cromoly drag link, but I bet it is worth a hole heap of coin.

Post by **christover1** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 5:50 pm

Captain Carnage wrote:straighten it and Weld sum 25x25x5mm angle iron along it.... I haven’t tried it but know a guy who did it to his and seams to work....cheap fix or I think snake racing make a cromoly drag link, but I bet it is worth a hole heap of coin.

I'm going to look at snake racing, but I know I can't afford it before I look.

I like the strength of the angle iron idea, but it may look too dodgy if the law look under there? But they wouldn't need to look that far for dogy

thanx
christover

Post by **christover1** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 5:57 pm

Snake Racing kits only suit thier high steer knuckle and spoa conversions.
Bit exy but not as bad as I thought, and probably very worth the $dosh.

christover

Post by **Captain Carnage** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 7:33 pm

Snake racing told my brother (Swamp donkey) that if he ever bent the drag link to bring it back with sum sauce and they would eat it!

Post by **Damo** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 7:46 pm

I've got a WT diff to put under the mongrel, and have been thinking about making something stronger than the stock setup, rather than shelling out the coin for something i'm sure to bend.

Want I was thinking about was something using 80 series tie rod ends. Perhaps using a 80 drag link/tie rod end modified to suit, or maybe 80 ser. tie rod ends and fabricated links.

I haven't got too fat into checking it all out yet, except that I know the knuckles and pitman arm have enough meat in them to be reamed out to suit the 80 ser. TRE's.

Christover, it probably raises more questions than it answers but I thought i'd throw it out there for you.

Post by **christover1** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 7:55 pm

I always have build thoughts when summit gives out, so all imput is appreciated.
Not sure what I'll do yet, but have seen home made drag links bust, and I know thats out of my capabilities anyway.

Probably beefing up a stocker I'm happy with.
Or buying up a few spares, as its lasted well ish.

I noticed odd steering things all night, it must have been slowly bending all night. Thought it was me getting old

christover

Post by **christover1** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 7:56 pm

Captain Carnage wrote:Snake racing told my brother (Swamp donkey) that if he ever bent the drag link to bring it back with sum sauce and they would eat it!

thats better than a written guarantee

Post by **Gwagensteve** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 8:58 pm

Chris,

I don't suggest welding anything onto the drag link at all, unless it was cut, sleeved with quality material, bevelled and plug welded and NDT carried out (generally MPI, Xray is not applicable for welds of this configuration)

Welding something onto it like angle will likely create a weakened drag link.

Additionally, the design of the drag link does not permit loose sleeving like I have done with my G, as it has the ball joint on one end and the little flange that the ball joint sits through on the other. The pipe diameter needed would be too great.

Steve

Post by **christover1** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:09 pm

I doubt I'd consider welding onto it.
More like splitting a tube, wrapping round it, then possibly welding the halves together. This could be too much heat for the drag link to bear, as well.
A HD replacement would be preferred.
More than likely just replace it with another stocker, as ball joints etc are a bit warn, too..

christover

Post by **christover1** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:59 pm

I bought a 2nd hand drag link today.
There's plenty around, and new ones are easily available, also.
Talkin to many people, some smarter than me

I've decided not to
weld onto or near the drag link, any heat is likely to make it brittle.
All the bolt on strength ideas I had are a bit bulky for the space,
and would be an eyesore, too.
So I will just keep spares, and try to drive it nicely

christover

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Bent Sierra NT Drag Link Solutions Sought

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