I have been having issues with dot inspection every time i go in they will check the drag link be able to twist it back and forth and tell me it's bad. I would replace my 1 year old one with new one go in they can still twist it and fail me again for past few years i been having these issues and i had enough. I just had a mobile guy do a dot at my house yesterday was able to twist it passed me but told me to replace it. I know my way around the trucks jesus i just did engine rebuild I'm not retarded drag links sit on ball joints they are ment to be able to twist with out any other play or clunking . But just for ####s i got a new one from dealer today and guess what i can twist it i forgot to record a video today but no one believes me when i tell then that's how it's supposed to be. I will record a video of a brand new drag link tomorrow either they are crazy or i am and yes it takes two hands and good enough force to twist my old one and new one. And to add no play in pit arm steering box or any other components as they are all new everything is solid tight
Freightliner Columbia drag link dilemma
Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by bruce25, Aug 12, 2022.
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They're idiots
Rideandrepair, AModelCat, spsauerland and 1 other person Thank this. -
let’s explain how to inspect a drag link first.
there is two things that have to be considered one is rotating motion of the drag link and the other is a lateral motion of the drag link.
the important movement is the lateral movement, not the rotating movement.
Lateral movement is measured by a force of 50lbs aligned with the ball joins, you grab it and push and pulled it, any movement it fails. 50lbs is a lot of force by the way.
The rotating movement according to the freightliner, Daimler, volvo, mack, SAE and the NHTSA DOES NOT MATTER AND ISN’T USED TO DETERMINE THE CONDITION OF THE DRAG LINK.
There is no limit to what constitutes the amount of force needed to rotate the link.
Now what I am reading from you quote is you are replacing the drag link solely on the rotating motion of it and NOT the lateral movement.
IF THE PERSON DOING THE INSPECTION IS TELLING YOU TO REPLACE IT AND IT DOESN’T FAIL THE LATITUDE TEST THEN HE/SHE IS IGNORANT TO THE ENGINEERING OF THE DRAG KINK AND THE OUT OF SERVICE CRITERIA SET FOR A FAILURE POINT IN THE SUSPENSION/STEERING INSPECTION,
If you want to know more, both the SAE and the NHTSA has specific papers on this.Rideandrepair, BennysPennys, AModelCat and 1 other person Thank this. -
AModelCat and Rideandrepair Thank this.
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This is why hacks shouldn't be allowed to do inspections.
Derailed, spsauerland, Rideandrepair and 2 others Thank this. -
They’re probably not used to seeing one that’s greased. I have to ask what States has this happened?
bruce25 Thanks this. -
I'm not one for government regulation but at least up here inspections can only be done by a certified shop and not some random person with a Harbor Freight toolset.
Last edited: Aug 12, 2022
spsauerland Thanks this. -
If you can try clocking the ends opposite each other just a few degrees to take up a little more slack when the twisting is done to them. Makes them “feel” tighter to the tards. Lol.
spsauerland Thanks this. -
bruce25 Thanks this.
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