Drag link replacement

[Russ]

I took my bus to Doyle's Alignment shop in Ft. O yesterday and had the front end aligned. It drives a whole lot straighter now but there's still a lot of play in the steering wheel. I had a tie rod that was slightly bent and he was able to straighten it out a bit. He also said my drag link is completely worn out and that is most likely the source of my steering wheel slop. He said I could replace it and it wouldn't affect the alignment. Is this something I can do myself or do you need special tools and a lift? Looks like you can get new drag links for about $55, which isn't too bad.

[Brian]

I had to change my drag link on both Mack and Mo.  Both had a lot of play in the steering and it tightened them right up.  Doyles was the one that discovered Macks was sloppy.  Its not hard to change.  I've got the tools so when you get the new one in let me know and I'll help.

[Russ]

Thanks, Brian! If you're at CYW this weekend we can talk more about it then.

[Zen]

I changed Homer's drag link many moons ago . . . If I remember correctly, I didn't even have to jack it up.  It's about like changing a tie-rod.  It doesn't affect the alignment, but it can affect the position of the steering wheel.

[74loaf]

Russ, its easy to do. That was one of the first things I had to do to my bus when I started driving it. its just 2 castle nuts, then lay the old one next to the new one and make sure they are the same length, then  bolt the new one on and your done! there is a cover that goes over all that but its like 6 bolts to remove. Very simple.

[Russ]

Well with Money and Robert's help tonight, we got the drag link replaced. Wow the steering feels so much better, it's like a new bus. And with the alignment done it drives pretty straight too.

[moneybags]

Well, Loaf helped. All I did was beat on stuff...