Power Ram Steering question.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
I expect that could be done same way some are lengthened to accomidate moving the axle forward.
One misconception I see all the time is that a machine shop is the correct place to have fabrication done. Machine shops are best at using high precision MACHINES to make parts that require close tollerences to function. Most welding is not considered high precision work and a welding machine isn't even part of the equipment in many well equipped machine shops nor do they normally employ a top flight welder. If they need something welded they will often job it out to a fabrication shop.
A metal FABRICATION shop on the otherhand deals primarily with joining sections of metal into useful objects or parts. They employ skilled welders and have welding machines as well as metal cutting, bending, drilling and shaping equipment.
To extend or shorten a drag link you would simply saw it in two, remove or prepare a piece to be inserted to make it the required length, reinforce the splice with a piece of tube or rod stuck inside (neat way) or a tube over the top of the splice (quick and dirty) and weld it back together. (If I were doing it and needed it longer instead of adding a piece in the center, I'd cut two different drag links so the combined length was correct and put it back together so I only had one joint in it tho.) There is no need for high precision here, and welding is involved, so it's a job for a FABRICATION shop. Fabrication shops are a LOT cheaper per hour than machine shops as well.
One misconception I see all the time is that a machine shop is the correct place to have fabrication done. Machine shops are best at using high precision MACHINES to make parts that require close tollerences to function. Most welding is not considered high precision work and a welding machine isn't even part of the equipment in many well equipped machine shops nor do they normally employ a top flight welder. If they need something welded they will often job it out to a fabrication shop.
A metal FABRICATION shop on the otherhand deals primarily with joining sections of metal into useful objects or parts. They employ skilled welders and have welding machines as well as metal cutting, bending, drilling and shaping equipment.
To extend or shorten a drag link you would simply saw it in two, remove or prepare a piece to be inserted to make it the required length, reinforce the splice with a piece of tube or rod stuck inside (neat way) or a tube over the top of the splice (quick and dirty) and weld it back together. (If I were doing it and needed it longer instead of adding a piece in the center, I'd cut two different drag links so the combined length was correct and put it back together so I only had one joint in it tho.) There is no need for high precision here, and welding is involved, so it's a job for a FABRICATION shop. Fabrication shops are a LOT cheaper per hour than machine shops as well.
