Draglink center link issues

[Robznob11]

I hope this is helpful info for others with wandering truck syndrome. It has been stated many times that installing the drag link backwards will caus wandering. Well assumption of parts will too! Always remember these trucks have been around long , sometimes longer than we have. Never assume you are dealing with stock untouched equipment even though it may look that way. I just finished my truck after a 18 year build. I have all new front end with porterbuilt arms. Only stock part is the drag link. Now... when I bought the truck years ago it had drums. Back then I converted to disc and bought cpp conversion adjusters and ran 68 outers as inners and 72 outters in their correct location. Remember now ....this was done when I was about 23....the project took 18 years to complete before I could actually drive it. Now back then I learned then that the tie rods were different. 72 disc have 11/16 threads and 10* tapper. Earlier drums had 5/8 threads and 7* tapper. I knew that the drag links were different to match the said tierod. So all these years later I get the truck up and going and no matter what I could not get it to quit wandering. I checked the direction of the drag link it was correct. But I failed to check the obvious!! You see I assumed since it was drums when I got it...it just be a stock 68 drag link.WRONG!!!!
Some unknowing knucklehead had changed it before I got it.
Only thing I can think is that back when I was younger I did not pay attention and just saw that the new rod ends were the same size as the old and stuck them on. It really is embarrassing to think that I know this truck inside and out and I knew full well of the many changes in parts GM made, but because I thought I already knew I chose not to check the obvious!
So as advice....If its wandering and the drag link is on correct. Even if you have brand new parts. Check to make sure you did not overlook and obvious issue that some fella before you left for you to figure out!

[LockDoc]

-
This is good advice for any truck a person buys, inherits, or otherwise brings into his or her possession. After 40 or 50 years things are going to be changed, some for the better, some for the worse.....

LockDoc

[68 P.O.S.]

Very good info, thank you for posting it. So 1 question, how can you tell if you have the correct one on your truck? Is there a part number or anything on the draglink? I'm lazy so not about to start counting the threads on it lol

[Robznob11]

Originally Posted by 68 P.O.S.

Very good info, thank you for posting it. So 1 question, how can you tell if you have the correct one on your truck? Is there a part number or anything on the draglink? I'm lazy so not about to start counting the threads on it lol

The 72 tie rods are larger 10* tapper. If you put the early 7* in the 10* hole no matter how tight you get it, it will still have play. I checked by putting my outter in the hole and it fit like a glove. Problem solved. If they are wrong you can wiggle them and see the play.

[Boog]

Wow. Most any good alignment tech would have found that looseness during his initial inspection. You have to wonder what else, ya know?

[davepl]

I guess I assumed a lot when it made it through an alignment shop!

Just in case others are scanning this thread in the future, you can also put control arms on the wrong side. I mean I never would do that, but I've read about it in books. :-) I don't know if you could assemble and align the whole truck that way but they sure will bolt up to the wrong side.

[Robznob11]

Originally Posted by Boog

Wow. Most any good alignment tech would have found that looseness during his initial inspection. You have to wonder what else, ya know?

Yea sure boog....take a poke... I would not have posted it if I wasn't trying to help others. The point is that no matter how much you know or how qualified you are. If you rush you can overlook the simplest mistakes. Especially when you did crap years ago and have forgotten about them. In my case I have so many aftermarket parts that one would assume that it was a geometry problem not the obvious. Which it does have some geometry issues. With that being said everyone has their moments...I like to call them dumb A#@ attacks. I don't claim to be the all knowing c10 guru...but I'm confident enough to put my talent, knowledge and work ethic against any. I did completely build a show truck in my garage by myself. And let's face it ....it could be worse like saying and aftermarket frame is for a stepside truck....jkjkjkjk even Gas monkeys have their attacks...and that was a Concord specialist car builder.....

[Boog]

Hey no offense intended toward you bud. We can all see your truck build talent. My post was questioning the alignment shop not you. It’s standard procedure for them to check tightness of all components BEFORE doing the actual alignment in case there are worn out parts to replace.
Or if you did the alignment yourself, well, I won’t say anything else.

[Robznob11]

Originally Posted by Boog

Hey no offense intended toward you bud. We can all see your truck build talent. My post was questioning the alignment shop not you. It’s standard procedure for them to check tightness of all components BEFORE doing the actual alignment in case there are worn out parts to replace.
Or if you did the alignment yourself, well, I won’t say anything else.

😉😉😜 jkjkjkjk yea nuff said....like I said dumb A#$ attack!