Adjusting Draglink? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Russ72C10 · 06-04-2004, 02:35 PM

I just installed a 4" Tuff Country lift w/ a raised steering arm on my '84 K20. This threw off the steering geometry just a tad. :p Namely the steering wheel is no longer centered with the wheels pointed straight. I've already taken the draglink out of the steering arm (while tires are pointed straight) and found that it needs to be lengthened about 1/4" or so. I've got the "clamps" loosened from the center of the draglink, where you'd turn it out to adjust the length. So far so good I think...

Question is - what did you guys use to turn it out? A pipe wrench to hold the end nearest the pitman arm & another pipe wrench to turn it? That's about all I can come up with. Any better methods?

(Excuse all the questions, but I am sorta learning this stuff by trial & error! Hopefully less of the latter.

)

Destructo · 06-04-2004, 02:50 PM

Mine had a lot of dirt and rust built up and didn't turn very easily, so I took the whole damn thing off took it all apart took some wd-40 and a wire wheel on the bench grinder and cleaned her up very nice and now I can turn it by hand

But yes a pipe wrench will work and I would spray some wd-40 or PB-Blaster on it.

Russ72C10 · 06-04-2004, 03:26 PM

PB Blaster has been by my side during the whole lift installation. That stuff works great! I drenched it all down the night before digging in just to make sure everything was nice and "loose" if you'll call it that. Still had to cut the factory U-bolts off with a side grinder.

At any rate, the pipe wrenches worked fine - even though it was very tough to turn at first. I just turned out one turn, took 'er for a spin... and realized that was not nearly enough. So another 2-3 turns should fix it right up. Taking it off and cleaning it up is not a bad idea... Hmmmm.

Destructo · 06-04-2004, 03:48 PM

Like I said, I adjust mine with my bare hands after I cleaned it up, also installed a new end because one of mine was bad.

Russ72C10 · 06-04-2004, 07:20 PM

Not to get off subject, but do you have any pics of your '85 with the lift and 33"s? I'd like to see the stance. I am going back and forth between 33" or 35" tires. Right now the truck has 32" but they are radials, not mud tread, and boy do they look small....

06-04-2004, 02:35 PM	#1
Russ72C10 Four Wheeler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Decatur, IL Posts: 101	Adjusting Draglink? I just installed a 4" Tuff Country lift w/ a raised steering arm on my '84 K20. This threw off the steering geometry just a tad. :p Namely the steering wheel is no longer centered with the wheels pointed straight. I've already taken the draglink out of the steering arm (while tires are pointed straight) and found that it needs to be lengthened about 1/4" or so. I've got the "clamps" loosened from the center of the draglink, where you'd turn it out to adjust the length. So far so good I think... Question is - what did you guys use to turn it out? A pipe wrench to hold the end nearest the pitman arm & another pipe wrench to turn it? That's about all I can come up with. Any better methods? (Excuse all the questions, but I am sorta learning this stuff by trial & error! Hopefully less of the latter. ) __________________ '84 K20 4x4 350 V8 - Weiand intake - Headers - 4" Tuff Country lift - 35x12.50 ProComp M/Ts on 15x10s

06-04-2004, 02:50 PM	#2
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	Mine had a lot of dirt and rust built up and didn't turn very easily, so I took the whole damn thing off took it all apart took some wd-40 and a wire wheel on the bench grinder and cleaned her up very nice and now I can turn it by hand But yes a pipe wrench will work and I would spray some wd-40 or PB-Blaster on it. __________________ 1985 Scottsdale Shortbed 4x4 Stout 350 with some "upgrades"-700r4-33x12.5" Mud Tires, Warn 8274-50 winch. 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab 2wd 4-banger, 5 speed, Street Pack with 3.73 axle.

06-04-2004, 03:26 PM	#3
Russ72C10 Four Wheeler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Decatur, IL Posts: 101	PB Blaster has been by my side during the whole lift installation. That stuff works great! I drenched it all down the night before digging in just to make sure everything was nice and "loose" if you'll call it that. Still had to cut the factory U-bolts off with a side grinder. At any rate, the pipe wrenches worked fine - even though it was very tough to turn at first. I just turned out one turn, took 'er for a spin... and realized that was not nearly enough. So another 2-3 turns should fix it right up. Taking it off and cleaning it up is not a bad idea... Hmmmm. __________________ '84 K20 4x4 350 V8 - Weiand intake - Headers - 4" Tuff Country lift - 35x12.50 ProComp M/Ts on 15x10s

06-04-2004, 03:48 PM	#4
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	Like I said, I adjust mine with my bare hands after I cleaned it up, also installed a new end because one of mine was bad. __________________ 1985 Scottsdale Shortbed 4x4 Stout 350 with some "upgrades"-700r4-33x12.5" Mud Tires, Warn 8274-50 winch. 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab 2wd 4-banger, 5 speed, Street Pack with 3.73 axle.

06-04-2004, 07:20 PM	#5
Russ72C10 Four Wheeler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Decatur, IL Posts: 101	Not to get off subject, but do you have any pics of your '85 with the lift and 33"s? I'd like to see the stance. I am going back and forth between 33" or 35" tires. Right now the truck has 32" but they are radials, not mud tread, and boy do they look small.... __________________ '84 K20 4x4 350 V8 - Weiand intake - Headers - 4" Tuff Country lift - 35x12.50 ProComp M/Ts on 15x10s



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