Removing drag link and tie rod

[KS76Sport]

(Its a 76) What is the proper/best way to get the drag link and tie rod ends out?

Also the joint at the pitman on the DL is shot. Can a new joint be put in my old DL or do I have to buy a whole new DL? I havent seen just the joints for sale anywhere so now Im worried cause DLs are spendy.

 

[Bully Bob]

Hi KS.,

Guessing here.., your motivation would be sloppy steering & you would like to be as close to factory spec. as poss.

Beings you have a '76 with the "inverted Y" linkage...?

(hasn't been changed)

There's 1/2 dozen good ways to do this. The lift creates an extra prob. or two.

You can get a cheap "pickle-fork" or two to seperate the tapered joints.

The most recommended mod/upgrade is to remove all the links & rods..,leaving the pitman arm. Then installing the earlier tierod/draglink set-up.

The whole works is adjustable, if you get the set with the adj. draglink.

Also, it's best to have an adj. track-bar for centering the body over the frame. (due to the lift)

AND.., you'll prob. need a "track-bar drop bracket" to avoid "bump-steer"

Point being., the "Y" style is fine for stock...but falls fr. favor with lifts & such... However., it all available if that's your preference.

(As far as I know., you can't repl. just the end joints.)

Either way., not cheap... upwards of $300 is prob. what you're look'n at.

All the EB stores are doing this swap... email or call., they'll walk you thru.

 

[KS76Sport]

Not to sloppy, mainly I was worried about that joint that was wasted. Thats where all the play was at, the tapered bolt just rattled around inside the end of the bar. I borrowed a pickle fork at the local parts store. Couple three whacks with a 3lb sledge and they fell right out.

I got the answer last night that NO you cant just replace the joints (

I didnt know that a 2 1/2 lift threw things off so bad that you had to replace your whole front end. I knew I would have to change the brake/breather lines and shocks, but not all the steering linkage, TB and a drop bracket. I thought I was good to go. @-)

 

[Bully Bob]

Every veh. is a bit diff., even the same year with the same set-up... :wacko:

You may be able to put in a new rod & good to go. If there's no bump-steer, then no additional mods are really necessary.

My 2.5 lift req. everything except the drop-bracket. My body was about 1" off center to the frame.. @ ...needed the adj. track bar.

 

[KS76Sport]

Every veh. is a bit diff., even the same year with the same set-up... :wacko:

You may be able to put in a new rod & good to go. If there's no bump-steer, then no additional mods are really necessary.

My 2.5 lift req. everything except the drop-bracket. My body was about 1" off center to the frame.. @ ...needed the adj. track bar.

Thanks BB, been doing some more searching/reading and I called the guys at WH. I'll be converting the front steering linkage to the 3 way adjustable "early" style. Not much more money than a new DL for the stock 76 inverted Y setup anyway. And, like you mentioned the guys at WH said as long as there is no bump steer and I can stand to "ride sideways" I dont have to have an adjustable TB and in some cases just a drop bracket will center the front end. So I'll just have to see how bad it is, like you said, they are all a little different.

Thanks a ton for your input.