Re: IML: Drag link modifications - advice?

[Brad Weikert <a292@xxxxxxx>]

One possible solution if it wouldn't put the tie rods at too much of an  
angle would be to build up enough weld in all the holes in the drag  
link so that they could be redrilled with the taper in the opposite  
direction.  Then you could install the drag link upside-down (with the  
bend facing away from the oil pan instead of towards it).  It looks  
like that would give you plenty of clearance for the oil pan I just  
don't know about the tie rod angles.  I know the welding and redrilling  
can be done as I've had it done on the steering knuckle arms on my Jeep  
for a conversion I did.

Good luck
Brad


On Jan 12, 2007, at 9:30 PM, Kenyon Wills wrote:

> This is a pair of photos of my car's drag-link:
>
> http://imperialclub.com/temp/Kenyon/1972%20coupe/ 
> steering%20linkage1.jpg
>
> http://imperialclub.com/temp/Kenyon/1972%20coupe/ 
> steering%20linkage%202.jpg
>
>
> The link is interfering with the aftermarket oil pan,
> or vice-versa.
>
> The oil pan was a mistake as far as I'm concerned, but
> at this point I'm committed for reasons that I don't
> want to get into, so I'd rather not hear guff about it
> or suggestions to change it.  I'm just not there yet.
>
> I am interested in quicker-ratio steering.
>
> The call to Firm Feel dispelled my thoughts of a
> "quick ratio box", and precluded longer arms, since
> they aren't made.
>
> I have this problem, and I think that an obvious
> solution would be to have a drag-link fabricated that
> simultaneously moves the arm back so that it clears
> the pan, and also extends the reach of the arms so
> that the steering is faster.
>
> I have two used drag-links that are disposable.
>
> I am planning to lop off the portion of one drag link
> where the pitman/idler arms connect to it, and will
> also lop off the end that the tie rods go into,
> essentially making a 2" or so part that looks like "
> -O ".  The section of the lopped link that has holes
> that work for the arms would be pointed to the arms
> and the sawed section would point to the other drag
> link that wasn't cut up.
>
> The question is:  If I have a welder connect these two
> lopped-off pieces to the drag link at a 90-degree
> angle and reinforce them with buttressing plates or
> whatever, do you suppose that this will be strong
> enough?
>
> This is a horrible drawing, but the "o" and "I" parts
> that stick up here would be the new parts.  They are
> not to scale and would be shorter and have triangular
> plates put on to buttress the 90 degree angle of the
> extensions.
>
>     o          o
>     I          I
>  o--o----------o--o
>
> I'm probably going to try this no matter what, as I
> think that I can lay enough metal in there to prevent
> deflection or failure,  but any constructive advice or
> ideas to SOLVE the problem would be appreciated.
>
> I want to clear the pan and suspect that I might get
> quicker ratio steering as a bonus.
>
>
> Your thoughts?
>
> Kenyon Wills
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