Community Forums

H. Miller · 11-21-2014, 08:02 AM

Have an '04 era RR8 chassis that am told needs a drag link... Anyone happen to have a part number then a location to find one? Monaco is out of their mind at $1700... Can't be of much more help as MH is 50 miles away at maint. facility... There was no apparent front end problems - tracked straight as an arrow - no play and SteerSafe is installed. Maint. was for other reasons. Should I suspect that maint. person has a car payment due?

jacwjames · 11-21-2014, 05:29 PM

I would take the time to go an inspect and find out why they are recommending replacement.

Were you having any problems with steering >>> vibration, shimmy. How tight was steering in general, any loose play???? Was there any tire wear???

Hopefully someone can provide an alternate source???

Happycarz · 11-21-2014, 08:38 PM

Hal, the drag link has two replaceable tie rod ends. Why would the want to change the whole thing?

Vanwill · 11-21-2014, 09:20 PM

If your drag link is like I think, it has one "regular" tie rod end which could be easily (and cheaply) replaced. But it is a "bent" drag link with a bend that accommodates additional wheel cut without the tire hitting it. One end has a tie rod end that is "staked" in place and is considered "non replaceable". That "fixed" end keeps the bend in the drag link oriented inward for tire clearance. Any competent machine shop should be able to cut through the staked areas to release the tie rod end, which is probably a readily available rod end. You will have to devise your own method for semi-permanently replacing the rod end so it will not rotate.

In the event that you do indeed replace the drag link assembly, I would like to get your old one. I'd like to try myself what I've proposed that you try.

H. Miller · 11-22-2014, 05:28 AM

Thanks for the info guys... Will have it back here in it's barn @ Monday and should be able to tell what's up..

H. Miller · 11-26-2014, 05:35 AM

Sorry Van, just as Harry says - it has 2 replaceable "ends" which when I find out who mfg. the unit should be available at most any truck parts place. With an "oversized" fork tool, anyone should be able to change them.

Vanwill · 11-26-2014, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H. Miller

Sorry Van, just as Harry says - it has 2 replaceable "ends" which when I find out who mfg. the unit should be available at most any truck parts place. With an "oversized" fork tool, anyone should be able to change them.

Hal, does your drag link have a bend in it? If it does, all the ones I've seen or read about have two normal-looking rod ends. Both rod ends are threaded into the drag link. But one end has a series of "dimples" that deform the threads of the drag link so that the rod end cannot rotate, and it holds the bend in the correct orientation so that it provides additional wheel cut.

I have always thought that it would be possible to hold that drag link's bend in position by mechanical means without the staking that made removing that rod end so difficult. Perhaps there were finally some drag links made that way. Please let us know how this turns out.

Steve Ownby · 11-27-2014, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanwill

Hal, does your drag link have a bend in it? If it does, all the ones I've seen or read about have two normal-looking rod ends. Both rod ends are threaded into the drag link. But one end has a series of "dimples" that deform the threads of the drag link so that the rod end cannot rotate, and it holds the bend in the correct orientation so that it provides additional wheel cut.

I have always thought that it would be possible to hold that drag link's bend in position by mechanical means without the staking that made removing that rod end so difficult. Perhaps there were finally some drag links made that way. Please let us know how this turns out.

Van,

Once the assembly was correctly indexed, could it be drilled and a heavy roll pin driven in?

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

sjholt · 11-30-2014, 05:15 PM

Maybe it could be locked with a nut?

Vanwill · 11-30-2014, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Ownby

Van,

Once the assembly was correctly indexed, could it be drilled and a heavy roll pin driven in?

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

I think there are a number of ways to lock it other than staking. Yours is certainly a possibility.

Dennis_K · 12-01-2014, 04:44 PM

The drag link should already have a clamp on it to prevent it from turning.

Vanwill · 12-01-2014, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis_K

The drag link should already have a clamp on it to prevent it from turning.

My sentiments exactly. I still don't understand why one end was made "non-replaceable".

super_rep · 12-08-2014, 09:10 AM

I replaced the drag link on our 04 SIG. It had one adjustable end and one end swaged in position. Naturally, the fixed end is always the one that fails. I bought a new one from NW RVSupply for $700.

In hindsight, I should have looked for a good machine shop to replace the one end. I'm sure it could have been done for less than $400.

super_rep · 12-08-2014, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanwill

My sentiments exactly. I still don't understand why one end was made "non-replaceable".

The drag link is bent to clear the wheel when making a hard turn. The swivel of the ball joints would let it rub the side of the tire if it wasn't held in the correct orientation.