Drag link question

JKEmmy

New member

• Apr 10, 2019

• #1

Hey guys, I'm going to be replacing my drag link here in a day or so..... My wife and I leave for ejs Thursday so I'm not sure I'll have time to get an alignment. As long as I make sure the links are about the same length so the steering wheel isn't a whole turn off, and then fine tune the wheel straight do I really need an alignment? I didn't think the drag link affected toe or anything. Also any tips or tricks to make the job go smoothly and efficiently are appreciated!

 

WJCO

Meme King

• Apr 10, 2019

• #2

JKEmmy said:

Hey guys, I'm going to be replacing my drag link here in a day or so..... My wife and I leave for ejs Thursday so I'm not sure I'll have time to get an alignment. As long as I make sure the links are about the same length so the steering wheel isn't a whole turn off, and then fine tune the wheel straight do I really need an alignment? I didn't think the drag link affected toe or anything. Also any tips or tricks to make the job go smoothly and efficiently are appreciated!

Click to expand...

You will not need to take the vehicle in for an alignment. The only adjustment needed is re-centering the steering wheel. A pickle fork may be a handy tool to have as it helps separate the old one from the pitman arm and knuckle easier.

Here's a link on re-centering the steering wheel after you get the new drag link on: https://wayalife.com/showthread.php...nt-End-Alignment?p=42376&viewfull=1#post42376

 

wjtstudios

Hooked

• Apr 10, 2019

• #3

You can usually rent a pickle fork for free at a local auto parts store, but they do make the task a lot easier


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fiend

Caught the Bug

• Apr 10, 2019

• #4

Pickle fork will likely ruin the grease boots in the link being removed, but maybe you don’t care about that.


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MSJKU11

Caught the Bug

• Apr 10, 2019

• #5

I used one of these from the loan a tool at a local auto store. Worked liked a charm.

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Braxtonsag

Member

• Apr 10, 2019

• #6

am i the only one that uses a mini sledge to remove drag links?

 

JKbrick

Active Member

• Apr 10, 2019

• #7

Braxtonsag said:

am i the only one that uses a mini sledge to remove drag links?

Click to expand...

Nope, I do too, on the knuckle end but it’s hard to swing a sledge and get a good hit up on the pitman arm if I recall


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Braxtonsag

Member

• Apr 10, 2019

• #8

JKbrick said:

Nope, I do too, on the knuckle end but it’s hard to swing a sledge and get a good hit up on the pitman arm if I recall


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Click to expand...

ohh yeah thats true. when i changed mine i just swapped to the RHD one and didnt need to remove the pitman end. excuse my ignorance

 

Slimebones

Active Member

• Apr 10, 2019

• #9

MSJKU11 said:

I used one of these from the loan a tool at a local auto store. Worked liked a charm. View attachment 324774

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

Yeah, this is the perfect tool for this job.

 

A

Ajkaz

New member

• Apr 11, 2019

• #10

Slimebones said:

Yeah, this is the perfect tool for this job.

Click to expand...

I also recommend this tool! After an hour of trying different things, this puller removed it in just a couple minutes.

 

desertrunner

Active Member

• Apr 11, 2019

• #11

Braxtonsag said:

am i the only one that uses a mini sledge to remove drag links?

Click to expand...

Depends on if I'm planning on using it after I remove it haha
I have removed a few and I have had the pickle fork tear the boot and I have used it successfully without damaging it same goes for a BFH one of my joints got destroyed and others were fine so good luck to the OP they both work

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USMC Wrangler

New member

• Apr 11, 2019

• #12

MSJKU11 said:

I used one of these from the loan a tool at a local auto store. Worked liked a charm. View attachment 324774

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

I bought a similar one at my local Harbor Freight for around $20. Definitely better than a pickle fork. Highly recommended for the pitman arm end.

 

BaddestCross

Active Member

• Apr 11, 2019

• #13

Pickle fork and a brass hammer usually does the job for me.

--
Build Thread - Adventures of Fiona - https://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=47407

 

JKEmmy

New member

• Apr 11, 2019

• #14

Awesome thanks everyone! I'll check AutoZone and see if they have one to rent.

 

DMF

Active Member

• Apr 11, 2019

• #15

When I took my draglink off, for what ever reason it wouldn’t come off on the pitman side using a pickle fork. I was swinging for the fences with the hammer and it still won’t come off. I ended up using a jack and a cut op piece of 2x4 to put leverage on the handle. Anyways, enough of my personal problems.


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