Drag Links

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by mtoo, Aug 12, 2014.

  1. mtoo

    mtoo Road Train Member

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    How do you guys remove the drag link. Do you use a big pickle fork? or a big hammer and beat the thing off? I have replaced many tie rod ends on little vehicles, always used a pickle fork.
     
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  3. Duramaxxed

    Duramaxxed Light Load Member

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    Pickle fork if you're not reusing it. Or beat the side of the spindle or pitman arm until it falls out.
     
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  4. Jimmbuds

    Jimmbuds Medium Load Member

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    Pickle fork and big hammer, I have also used an air chisel in the past and found that to work on some applications. And sometimes air chisel and hammer at same time for some stubborn stuff.
     
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  5. mtoo

    mtoo Road Train Member

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    I didn't know if beating on the side of the pitman arm would damage the steering gear.
     
  6. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    It won't hurt it.
     
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  7. JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

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    If you are going to beat on the side of the steering arm you have to put a big hammer on the back side. What I do is put a jack under the steering arm, loosen the nut I have a large old broken axle I use as a hammer, that works especially well on tie rod ends. On drag links I hit the sides of the steering arms and pitman arm, sometimes you need to put preasure on the arm to get it to pop. I use a 1/4 inch chain and doubled use a pry bar to twist it.
    Just a thought!
     
  8. beltrans

    beltrans Medium Load Member

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    I would use some kind of puller to separate a drag link from pitman arm. I do not like an idea of hammering on a pitman arm...
     
  9. Jimmbuds

    Jimmbuds Medium Load Member

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    Yea I am not sure I would put a bunch of stress on the steering box unless I had too. I am sure there is a seal on the shaft that comes out into the pitman arm. If it could wait I would get a puller if you dont already have one. Something like this puller at the link below might work. Sometimes I use cables ties around the pullers jaws to keep them from slipping.

    http://www.tooltopia.com/_img/KDT/KDT3552.jpg
    or
    http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p417/kujito/puller.gif
     
  10. maggard359

    maggard359 Medium Load Member

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    When a fork isn't handy I have used a propane torch for about 5 minutes then a hard blow to side of arm and it will pop right loose.
     
  11. Jimmbuds

    Jimmbuds Medium Load Member

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    Heat always works good on stubborn ones.....
     
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