Drag links

[macca]

I have done a bit of a search and found lots of talk about adjustable drag links.
My steering wheel is cranked a fair way to the left, oddly its getting worse.
It was fine untill I had an alignment done, when all was correctly alligned the steering wheel was about 10degrees to the left. During the weekend I hit a tree root and knocked it all out of kilter so had an allignment done today and now its 50% more.
Nothing appears bent, these vehicles are tough.
The 1st is from the 50mm lift the second is when I removed the winch, the front is higher and the wheel has to turn more to compensate.
They said an adjustable drag link will fix the problem. No worries... but the ones I have found are expensive.

$270.00
http://www.caloffroad.com.au/products/corproducts_nissan_patrol%20GU.htm

$395.00 with damper bracket
http://www.4wd1.com.au/GU-Patrol-rods-arms.htm

$215.00
http://www.roadrunneroffroad.com.au/Nissan-GU-Patrol-ADJ-Draglink-NEW-Heavy-Duty-Greasable.html

$300.00 - $375.00
LINK REMOVED

$335.00 with post
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/250914669300?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

$225.00
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/250923659362?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

There are male & female ends, solid, tube - different sizes, standard, heavy duty and rock breaking duty.
What do I get?
I have a 50mm lift but somehow think it's a bit higher than that.
I've got to do something as it is giving me the whatsy's.
Help is going to be appreciated,
Macca

[MudRunnerTD]

superiors site has a virus! dont click on their link

[macca]

Holy hell Muddy, I removed link, my anti virus did not pick that up beeping hell sorry about that.
What AV have you got that works so well for you?
Macca

[MudRunnerTD]

really depends what you want it for bud. if its just for the steering wheel then the cheapest one will be better than the OE one on the car but for an upgrade the Superiors is awesome!!!

I have a Superiors 4140 Chromoly drag link on my GQ and my GU .he full 4140 with male ends and female tie rod ends and your in business, Un Bendable.

Highly rate this item

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/Stripping%20the%20GQ/GQ%20Suspension%20Build/IMG_0270.jpg

[MudRunnerTD]

Holy hell Muddy, I removed link, my anti virus did not pick that up beeping hell sorry about that.
What AV have you got that works so well for you?
Macca

called them to let them know and they tell me it got hit around lunchtime... trying to clean it now.

Their link is still in your message though?? last link posted

****



What AV have you got that works so well for you? Macca

I am on a Macbook Pro running Safari...........Love my Mac - No Anti Virus needed ;)

[Dhuck]

Any of the listed will do. Nothing is cheap on these toys. However it is like most things. The better the quality the more you pay. In the end it comes down to what you use the vehicle for. If your like a few of us here you do enjoy playing hard and if this is the case go for a chrome molly. My brother dose not go nearly as hard as me and he has the road runner on his truck and does the job bloody well.

[MudRunnerTD]

looked at all those links. None of them are better than the entry Superiors Rod! All have Male end tie rod ends that screw into the Rod so the weakest point is the tie rod end that is much smaller diameter than the rod.

if you look at my pic you will see the top of the range Superiors 4140 Chromoly with female ends.. they screw over th end of the rod and are much chunkier. The 4140 has a "you bend it - we'll replace it" Warranty too. it was an easy decision for me!

[Bigrig]

Don't forget - centre the steering box BEFORE adjusting with the drag link to get perfect. Simply adjusting the link will leave the steering box off centre. This potentially affects turning circle dramatically as per another thread where old mate centred up using the drag link and then nearly cleaned up a retaining wall hooking into his driveway as the box was way off centre.

[MudRunnerTD]

Don't forget - centre the steering box BEFORE adjusting with the drag link to get perfect. Simply adjusting the link will leave the steering box off centre. This potentially affects turning circle dramatically as per another thread where old mate centred up using the drag link and then nearly cleaned up a retaining wall hooking into his driveway as the box was way off centre.


^^^^^^

Perfect! set the drag link length with only one end in and centre the box, adjust and drop in. You should only need a minor adjustment then. Good advice there

[macca]

Thanks guys, looks like I'm in for a $300 mod :clapping:
Oh well looks like I'm working a bit more before I retire
Macca

[MudRunnerTD]

Hey Macca i assume you have a GU with an Airbag? Obviously otherwise you'd be whipping off the steering wheel and fixing it that way. Have you called Nissan and asked them if they can remove and refit your steering wheel? Surely they'd be able to isolate your air bag circuit to get that done? If there is nothing wrong with your drag link and you dont need the upgrade then maybe look at that.

I am a big fan of the upgrade though fella, its the first thing to arrive at that rock! if you are going to bend something int eh front of your Nissan it will be your drag link so a stronger one is a winner.

[macca]

Took your advice and ordered a HD Superior female ended jobby, extra $75 is worth it.
Sold the Tojo rims so that can pay for this, bonus.
See how we go when it gets here.
No air bags but wanted to keep both turning circles the same as the pod is a bit of a PITA in the bush, clearing trees is becoming an art form...
Thanks
Macca

[YNOT]

I agree with Macca, adjustable draglink is the better way to centre the steering as it centres the steeriing box not just the steering wheel.

Tony

[Bigrig]

If you've got no airbag, then set the wheels straight, then centre the steering box with the front wheels straight and the pitman arm link disconnected (involves removing link at pitman arm etc), reconnect arm and then remove the steering wheel and centre it on the spline, then fine adjust with the draglink to get spot on ... I've done three of these in about the last 6 months (one being Tank's) and all hunky dorey!!!

[YNOT]

There should be no need to move the steering wheel on the splines as it should not have moved in relation to the steering box. So if the steering box is centred the steering wheel should be straight. All the adjustment should be done at the draglink.

Tony

[Bigrig]

There should be no need to move the steering wheel on the splines as it should not have moved in relation to the steering box. So if the steering box is centred the steering wheel should be straight. All the adjustment should be done at the draglink.

Tony

So long as its never been moved before - mine (and others) had been - by friendly automotive alignment franchises no doubt!! (or previous owners) ...

[YNOT]

So long as its never been moved before - mine (and others) had been - by friendly automotive alignment franchises no doubt!! (or previous owners) ...

Good point.

Tony

[MudRunnerTD]

Good result

[macca]

Mmmmmm thats interesting, will need to check all is "centered" when I fit it in place, have to watch for previous spline shifting possibilities.
That is a very good bit of info to check before doing the job.
Thanks guys
Macca

[macca]

called them to let them know and they tell me it got hit around lunchtime... trying to clean it now.

They are still having trouble today, made life a PITA for them.
My order wnt through so should see link next week.
Macca

[macca]

Drag link arrived today, itchin to put it on but waited untill a sea breeze arrived at 4.00pm as it was a bit warm today.
Took 20mins to swap units over, cable tied damper out of way. Then over an hour to set the steering correct.
Once it was right tightened all the bolts and fitted split pins then fitted the steering damper bracket, took it for a final test and all good
Very happy
Macca

[GUtsy ute]

Drag link arrived today, itchin to put it on but waited untill a sea breeze arrived at 4.00pm as it was a bit warm today.
Took 20mins to swap units over, cable tied damper out of way. Then over an hour to set the steering correct.
Once it was right tightened all the bolts and fitted split pins then fitted the steering damper bracket, took it for a final test and all good
Very happy
Macca

Pics please, otherwise how can we be sure? hahahalol

[macca]

Pics please, otherwise how can we be sure? hahahalol

But of course, silly me.......

[maverick1]

Great info guys- wondering if you can help me? I brought a new drag link about 12 months ago and rebuilt swivel hubs. I took it for a wheel alignment and a while ago, the left hand side started vibrating and making a grinding noise. I set out to find out what the issue was and there seems to be a few. When I originally installed the drag link, I adjusted to the 1270mm that the book says. Then I took it for a wheel alignment. When I have started to investigate, I measured the drag link which was around 1120mm. I also remembered that the steering wheel was off centre, and I had taken it back to the wheel alignment place and all they did was rip off the steering wheel and put it on straight. So now after reading all of you comments, how do I get the steering box centred again so I can put the drag link on correctly?

[MudRunnerTD]

Great info guys- wondering if you can help me? I brought a new drag link about 12 months ago and rebuilt swivel hubs. I took it for a wheel alignment and a while ago, the left hand side started vibrating and making a grinding noise. I set out to find out what the issue was and there seems to be a few. When I originally installed the drag link, I adjusted to the 1270mm that the book says. Then I took it for a wheel alignment. When I have started to investigate, I measured the drag link which was around 1120mm. I also remembered that the steering wheel was off centre, and I had taken it back to the wheel alignment place and all they did was rip off the steering wheel and put it on straight. So now after reading all of you comments, how do I get the steering box centred again so I can put the drag link on correctly?

Measure your steering box by sitting in the car and counting the turns of your steering wheel Lock to Lock. I have no idea how many it is sorry. The middle is half way ;)

Do this and see how far out your steering wheel is versus how far out of dead straight your wheels are. Then adjust your drag link to the right length with the car sitting on the ground wheels forward. You can keep winding the drag link in or out to adjust your steering wheel too while your there. If they have popped your wheel though it may be way out! if it is then get the drag link and steering box straight and pop your steering wheel again.

[choppie]

What has been said, plus what centering the steering box does is unloads the valve in the box so it is not working all the time as well
Col