Drag link hitting radius rod
 

Hello from ct. After installing the front axle and hooking up the tie rod and drag link on my 36 pickup, I noticed that the drag link rod end was hitting the drivers side radius rod. This end is hooked up to the pitman arm. It hits square in the middle of the rod. I should mention that the drag link is after market and is straight. The link that I removed from the truck had many weld repairs and was in bad shape. I think my pitman arm is the right one as for length. Any thoughts? Thanks, sk

Re: Drag link hitting radius rod
 

You can look for a factory ford replacement of drag link or if the pitman arm is goof quality( like Ford) it can be heated and bent safely to clear.

Re: Drag link hitting radius rod
 

RalphM: thanks for your reply: i woke at 4:00am thinking i know what the problem is: sure enough i found that nuts were used on the spindle bolts instead of the stop nuts: there was about a 1/4in difference in the length: i changed them out this morning and now the backing plates hit the stops the way they should: the axle came to me assembled and i did not notice this mistake: sk sorry, the pics loaded sideways:

Re: Drag link hitting radius rod
 

That’ll do it every time! :)

I had issues with tires hitting split wishbones.
To cure it I had to install extra long stop nuts on my AV8, got them from SoCal I believe.

Re: Drag link hitting radius rod
 

It is in the details.the aftermarket stops I had were a bit longer then stock so it gives me a little extra. I hope that this thread helps someone who finds they have a similar issue. Sk

Re: Drag link hitting radius rod
 

Here you go.

Re: Drag link hitting radius rod
 

I will have to look for some of those extra long stops for mu coupe, when the steering is turned all the way to lock (either side) my tires are dangerously close to my headlights. I am always afraid I am going to tear up the paint. any suggestions as to where to look other than maybe so-cal. ?

Re: Drag link hitting radius rod
 

You could try an extra washer or two, depending if enough threads remained. I used a chrome closed end lug nut on my car and kept skimming it down in the lathe until the tyre just cleared the drag link.

Mart.

Re: Drag link hitting radius rod
 

JSeery: thanks for the rotate: i did a little research and found if you get a kingpin set from speedway it comes with nuts and not the proper stop nuts: look at the pic or ask if the closed end nuts are included: Mart has a good idea on the lug nuts: the threads on the ford set are 7/16-20: sk