GMCforum
For enthusiast of the Classic GMC Motorhome built from 1973 to 1978. A web-based mirror of the GMCnet mailing list.

Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Rare Parts drag link
Rare Parts drag link [message #276606] Thu, 23 April 2015 23:22 Go to next message
Hal StClair   United States
Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM
Karma: -12
Senior Member
I bought a new adjustable drag link made by Rare Parts and it seems to be miss machined. The tie rod end protrudes through the pitman arm too far. The threads don't extend all the way to the pitman arm flat area because the machined smooth taper extends through the arm. This in turn reduces the thread engagement of the nut about 40%. The cotter pin ends up about 1/8" above the nut. I tried putting a spacer under the nut but don't like the idea of altering a steering component. Just wondering if anyone else has bought this item and had the same issue or if it's just a unique machining problem?
Thanks, Hal


"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane." 1977 Royale 101348, 1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered, 1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout, Rio Rancho, NM

[Updated on: Thu, 23 April 2015 23:23]

Report message to a moderator

Re: Rare Parts drag link [message #276620 is a reply to message #276606] Fri, 24 April 2015 08:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JohnL455 is currently offline  JohnL455   United States
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
Senior Member
Can you swap it end for end? Dave Lenzi's uses 2 different type rod ends. Not sure if that is just for the thread direction or because of different tapers. They are different looking though.

John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
Re: Rare Parts drag link [message #276640 is a reply to message #276620] Fri, 24 April 2015 15:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Keith V is currently offline  Keith V   United States
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
Senior Member
There is a reason we all love Dave Lenzi

Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
Re: Rare Parts drag link [message #276642 is a reply to message #276640] Fri, 24 April 2015 15:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Hal StClair   United States
Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM
Karma: -12
Senior Member
I tried swapping it but it made no difference. Rare Parts did respond and tells me the drag link is the same taper on both sides. It looks like it may have been a mistake in machining the part.
As for Dave's parts, I agree as to the quality of his work. I have his idler arm, relay lever and steering box on the coach. As for the drag link, he buys the tie rod ends and machines his own center section so the quality shouldn't have been any different. Just the luck of the draw I guess in getting a bad part.
Hal


"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane." 1977 Royale 101348, 1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered, 1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout, Rio Rancho, NM
Re: Rare Parts drag link [message #276656 is a reply to message #276642] Fri, 24 April 2015 18:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Loffen is currently offline  Loffen   Norway
Messages: 1087
Registered: August 2013
Location: Norway
Karma: 1
Senior Member
Do you have a picture ?
I have two of them on the shelf and would like to compare yours with mine.
I will check the ones I have at the shop tomorrow and post back


1973 23' # 1848 Sky Blue Glacier called Baby Blue and a 1973 26'-3 # 1460 Parrot green Seqouia Known as the Big Green, And sold my 1973 26'-2 # 581 White Canyon lands under the name Dobbelt trøbbel in Norway

[Updated on: Fri, 24 April 2015 18:32]

Report message to a moderator

Re: Rare Parts drag link [message #276660 is a reply to message #276656] Fri, 24 April 2015 20:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Hal StClair   United States
Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM
Karma: -12
Senior Member
Here are some pictures of the drag link.
Hal

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6779-drag-link.html


"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane." 1977 Royale 101348, 1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered, 1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout, Rio Rancho, NM
Re: Rare Parts drag link [message #276663 is a reply to message #276660] Fri, 24 April 2015 20:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Loffen is currently offline  Loffen   Norway
Messages: 1087
Registered: August 2013
Location: Norway
Karma: 1
Senior Member
What is the diameter on the top and bottom of the taper ?
Then we will know for sure if it is just yours or if they make "all" of them wrong.


1973 23' # 1848 Sky Blue Glacier called Baby Blue and a 1973 26'-3 # 1460 Parrot green Seqouia Known as the Big Green, And sold my 1973 26'-2 # 581 White Canyon lands under the name Dobbelt trøbbel in Norway
Re: Rare Parts drag link [message #276664 is a reply to message #276606] Fri, 24 April 2015 20:59 Go to previous messageGo to next message
skip2 is currently offline  skip2   United States
Messages: 544
Registered: September 2011
Location: Winter Haven,FL (center o...
Karma: 3
Senior Member
I asked Mr Lenzi when I put on my new drag link I got from him and he said it could go either way, just my preference for which way I want the grease fittings
Skip Hartline


74 Canyon Lands, FiTech, 3.7 FD LSD, Manny Tranny, Springfield Distributor, 2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd
Re: Rare Parts drag link [message #276666 is a reply to message #276664] Fri, 24 April 2015 21:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Hal StClair   United States
Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM
Karma: -12
Senior Member
The taper angle seems to be correct as they do seat correctly although they could be a smaller diameter which causes them to go deeper into the arms socket. I've already boxed the DL up for return so can't get a measurement. If you have the undercut shown in the pictures, I'd be concerned.
Hal


"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane." 1977 Royale 101348, 1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered, 1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout, Rio Rancho, NM

[Updated on: Fri, 24 April 2015 21:14]

Report message to a moderator

Re: Rare Parts drag link [message #276687 is a reply to message #276666] Sat, 25 April 2015 08:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Loffen is currently offline  Loffen   Norway
Messages: 1087
Registered: August 2013
Location: Norway
Karma: 1
Senior Member
No need to post pictures of all of them as they where identical, the taper went from 0.67" to 0.75"(17mm to 19mm)
The taper was also stamped A13 on the top

http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l610/Espen_Heitmann/1973%20Sequoia/IMG_1523_zpsab5vmc2t.jpg


1973 23' # 1848 Sky Blue Glacier called Baby Blue and a 1973 26'-3 # 1460 Parrot green Seqouia Known as the Big Green, And sold my 1973 26'-2 # 581 White Canyon lands under the name Dobbelt trøbbel in Norway
Re: Rare Parts drag link [message #276689 is a reply to message #276687] Sat, 25 April 2015 08:55 Go to previous message
Loffen is currently offline  Loffen   Norway
Messages: 1087
Registered: August 2013
Location: Norway
Karma: 1
Senior Member
Yes I have to add that the taper is identical to the original drag link.

1973 23' # 1848 Sky Blue Glacier called Baby Blue and a 1973 26'-3 # 1460 Parrot green Seqouia Known as the Big Green, And sold my 1973 26'-2 # 581 White Canyon lands under the name Dobbelt trøbbel in Norway
Previous Topic: Jeep wrangler as a towd
Next Topic: [GMCnet] hot water heater element
Goto Forum:
  


Current Time: Sun Nov 10 11:13:58 CST 2024

Total time taken to generate the page: 0.01121 seconds