OEM Ford E-150 Drag Link

Ford E-150 Drag Link Parts and Q&A

• Drag Link, Front Passenger Side
  8C2Z-3304-D
  Q: How to service and repair the Drag Link on Ford E-150?

  A:

  Servicing the center link is typically done by first addressing the steering linkage damper if the vehicle is so equipped, and then working the outer and inner tie-rod connections; when the RH outer tie-rod end is separated, the cotter pin is checked for alignment with the nut slot and, in some cases, the nut is torqued slightly until alignment is achieved without loosening, after which the cotter pin, nut retainer and nut are removed and discarded and the nut is torqued to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft) on reassembly. A ball-joint separator is normally used to detach the RH outer tie-rod end from the wheel spindle, and the same cotter-pin/nut sequence is followed for the inner tie-rod end with the inner nut being torqued to 85 Nm (63 lb-ft) when installed. The inner tie-rod is often separated from the sector shaft arm drag link using a steering arm remover, and the cotter pin and nut securing the sector shaft arm drag link are removed and discarded; on reinstallation the sector shaft arm nut is typically tightened to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft) and the drag link is separated from the sector shaft arm as part of removal. The number of turns required to separate the outer tie-rod end and adjusting sleeve from the sector shaft arm drag link is usually recorded, the RH outer tie-rod adjusting sleeve clamp nut is loosened and the components separated, and when refitted the clamp nut is tightened to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft). If fitted, the U-bolt nuts, U-bolts and bracket for the steering linkage damper-to-drag link are removed, with care taken to position the bracket correctly before the U-bolt nuts are torqued to 31 Nm (23 lb-ft). When adjusting-sleeve hardware is installed it is commonly oriented within 45 degrees of vertical with threaded ends pointing toward the front of the vehicle, reassembly is generally performed in reverse order using new cotter pins, and the front toe is checked and adjusted as necessary.