Centering the steering box

During the mockup phase of my axle flip, I was checking the lock-to- lock on my steering and found that for the steering box to be centered, the drag link needs to be 1.25 inches shorter (the steering box actually runs out of travel before reaching the left turn axle stop).....
I'm leaning toward making an adjustable drag link, but I'm also wondering if the pitman arm can be re-clocked on it's splines (or are the splines indexed to require a non adjustable clocking)

I had two ideas for adjustable drag link:
1) Add a left-threaded tie-rod end and adjustment collar to one end of the existing drag-link, which would be cut and (right) threaded.
2)Get two tie-rod ends, left and right threaded bungs and weld the bungs into appropriate sized heavy tube....

In either case, I need to find out what tie-rod ends have the correct sizing.... does anybody know?

Tom (millwight71) made a new drag link for his 66,also seems like somebody else did & posted what he used??? I also seem to remember Tom said the pitman arm is splined and only goes on one way.
Hope it helps??+

I haven't had a pitman arm off of one of our vans yet, but other GM steering boxes do have an indexing mark, and the pitman goes on only one way.

To solve this problem, make a new adjustable drag link like jrinaman on vcvc did.

http://www.vcvc.org/showthread.php/28326-made-a-new-drag-link?highlight=drag+link

Yes the steering box is master splined so you cannot shift it.

Do a search on the drag link. several others have made up adjustable drag links with all store bought ends and a long tie rod sleeve.

M1D

the axle turn stops are adjustable on both sides
with funny looking bolts that are sticking out of the
back sides of both of the spindles, loosen the jamb nut
and set it where you want it

rock auto has the tie rod ends for $3.35 and $4.42. https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,2001,f-150,4.6l+v8,1372441,steering,tie+rod+end,7428  threaded tube from summit racing $16.97. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/qa1-ts12-21

I wish I was a little sharper......The rock auto listings for 3360 series ends is for 2001 f-150?......It shows all of them having a M18x 1.5 metric thread, yet the threaded tube you show is 3/4x16?
Are all the available ends now metric? Where might I find threaded tube in metric sizing?

I'm also wondering what cars/trucks used this taper as a tie-rod end in the days before everything went metric.....The resto parts for older vehicles would not be metric and could then use the threaded tubes...

went to check the specs and found these links. http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/universal_outer_tie_rod_ends.asp   http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/universal_tie_rod_adjusting_sleeves.asp   sure enough, metric threads in standard tube!  I took the tube with me and they spun in by hand, snug, but went in. originally built with 18" tube but only had about 1" threaded in so went with 21", the last half inch was getting pretty tight! if you are searching for another end link, don't go any smaller on the taper diam.  it was near the bottom and slightly larger would be ideal.

I just measured the taper of the hole in my arm......Goes from .75 to.625 in .75 of an inch (thickness).....those 3360 series go from .703 to .613 (of an inch) and the specs don't show the depth....If I can't come up with the right ends, I may just cut 1.25" out of the existing link, weld a piece of pipe over it and pin it....

Man I think it's a combination of stock ends off a 3/4 or 1 ton mid 70's Chevy truck that work. I haven't done it myself yet but have saved the parts but have no numbers to go by. Sure as heck can't remember which ends either right now.

Digs is close. It was a 70s G20 truck tie rod ends.

here is the discussion and part numbers. I just searched "adjustable drag link"

This works for altered suspension high, 1st or 2nd gen vans.

there are two or three options on the following 2 page thread repair yours and make a complete new drag link.

https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/t27210-steering-drag-link?highlight=adjustable+drg+link


M1D

the 3rd gen tie rod ends are 11/16" and I have been unable to find threaded tubes in anything except 5/8" and 3/4". I have had no luck finding specs on the ends other than what moog lists under universal. the es409 is not listed there but will come up by vehicle and doesn't give the specs. I have these, left and right, along with several tubes and in the end, I took the 3/4" tube to the parts store and found ends that fit. thanks to azdon, I now know their not right either.

Thanks for the link to this thread.....Having actual vehicle applications for pre-metric vehicles is going to solve this for me, more than likely....

jrinaman wrote:the 3rd gen tie rod ends are 11/16" and I have been unable to find threaded tubes in anything except 5/8" and 3/4". I have had no luck finding specs on the ends other than what moog lists under universal. the es409 is not listed there but will come up by vehicle and doesn't give the specs. I have these, left and right, along with several tubes and in the end, I took the 3/4" tube to the parts store and found ends that fit. thanks to azdon, I now know their not right either.

I'm Sorry(?)........Wasn't trying to poke holes in anybody's resourcefulness..... I asked the questions in the interest of avoiding the "dead ends" that generally accompany a search like this....... Your sourcing of the threaded tubes is HUGE and is something missing from that other thread........It looks as though the answer is ES358 R&L ends with a 5/8 threaded tube and hopefully I can find a left threaded nut to lock that end.......

When done with this axle flip, I want every bit of the steering and front suspension to be close enough to perfect that I won't hafta revisit the project..... I'm a bit analytical (or just anal) about carefully researching and thinking through every aspect of a project....

nothing to be sorry about! I honestly believed they was standard thread, its that close! I was concerned with using the 5/8" since the original is so much thicker. here is the 5/8" left hand nut http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Stainless-Jam-Nut-5-8-Inch-18-LH-NF-Fine-Thread,36729.html I would imagine there is a 3/4" thread large taper rod end out there, just didn't have access to specs so I just started opening boxes until I found mine. there is the option to have one made by speedway motors.  http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Plain-Tie-Rod-Drag-Link-Kit-with-11-16-Tie-Rod-Ends,3306.html couldn't find the link but their catalogue states the will make any size you want. they did have 11/16" tube but not in correct length. might be worth a call?

Well..... The es409 (L&R) uses 11/16", which doesn't match with available threaded tubes....The difference between the metric and standard threads on your could be solved by splitting the last 1.5 " of each end of the tube and putting a squeeze collar like a stock tie-rod sleeve has on the end.....The only other question I'd have about your selection is whether those ends are too deep in the taper to allow for the free movement of the socket and ball.... Too fat for the taper is bad, but so is undersize.....I'm also not sure if those threaded tubes have enough wall thickness after threading to stand up to use as the link between the steering box and the front wheels (especially the aluminum ones).... I'll check out that speedway link before ordering es358..... Gonna explore all options before making a choice....

Here is a link to the threaded sleeve in 11/16 at speedway...... They cut about 5" of threads in each end, so you order your correct length.......
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-11-16-Inch-Raw-Tie-Rod-Drag-Link-Tubing,27189.html
If you look at the Q&A section, it gives a part number for custom lengths......
I have a 77 g-20 parts van that has es409 ends on it, so I'm gonna snatch one off to confirm the taper and measure the length....
I'm pretty sure their piece is stout enough for the job!..... Thanks for the link!

So I called Speedway Motors......
The tie-rod ends in their drag link kit are wrong for our taper (too small) sooo....
They sell just the tube for 30.99 in their standard lengths, regardless of which you choose, from 22" to 53"......
To use the es409 ends, the tube needs to be about 14.75", which is nowhere close to their 22"....
The choices are: 1) they can cut and thread our custom length for $75 or 2) You can buy a longer length, cut it, and rethread one end (they can sell you the tap for $35).....
The option of cutting the stock drag link and threading it for a moog collar is looking better all the time....

Okay.... So I went with the Moog Es358 ends and a 17" threaded tube from Summit..... Looks like it should work great!
Total cash outlay with all new parts and shipping is less than $100

Here is a pic of the new link installed:



The parts before assembly: