Last summer I dropped a 460 into my '68 and when I brought it so they could hook up the exhaust, the "technician" pointed out that my steering linkages were rubbing on each other. When I got home, I checked my two parts trucks (a 69 and 72), and noticed that the same thing was happening to those as well.

I'm just wondering what this could be from. I was thinking it was maybe due to worn springs, but that's not the case, because no matter the ride height, the two linkages remain close together. Is it possible to be king pins?

I searched the forums, but no help. Please, lemme know if you know.

D-Ren

 

D-ren Welcome to FTE I'll see if I can be of some help to you.

What Is your truck a 68 4X4 or 4X2?

If it's a 4X2, then what are you calling a drag link?

4X2s from 65 through 79 use a center link without Idlers, draglink or tierod.

If you are talking about centerlink, the piece that connects both independent I Beams by the steering knuckles to the Pitman Arm on the Steering gear box, there can be several causes for premature failure. Faulty Radius Arm, or I Beam Pivot, bushings is one, old age another, lack of maintenance yet another, incorrect alignment, (if tough to steer because it's always working too hard) can be another.

If everything is working correctly, and regularily mainteined on a periodic basis Center link under normal use and conditions should last about 170K -200K miles before R&R-ing'

FBp

 

My truck is a 68 4x2, but according to all of my parts catalogues and parts supplier, it is still called a drag link. The rubbing occurs between the centre link/pitman arm joint and the drag link. I'd show you a picture of the wear, but I'm not that good.

LMC catalogue - linkages

I'd like to replace the link, but I'm not going to do that if it's just going to wear again right away. My truck has been used and abused by a few of the previous owners, as I've noticed through my past upgrades and repairs, and so many things have been neglected. I know my king pins are worn quite badly, and they'll be replaced, but as far as I know, that's the extent of the wear on the front end. When you speak of bushings, which bushings are you speaking of?

There is no noticable effect on the steering either.

D-Ren

 

Radius arm bushings are prolly shot. There are two inners and two outers R/L. In addition, the axle pivot bushings are prolly gone also. Added a few other typical I Beam "wear" parts. 1968 F100 4x2 (Parts List 30.2A)

2-C5TZ-3B177-A .. Axle Pivot Bushing (one each side)

2-C5TZ-3B203-D .. Radius Arm Bushing-Inner

2-C5TZ-3B203-E .. Radius Arm Bushing-Outer

1-C8TZ-3111-A .... King Pin Kit

1-C5TZ-3A130-A .. R/S Tie Rod End

1-C5TZ-3A131-A .. L/S Tie Rod End

1-C5TZ-3304-C .... Draglink

 

My center link in a 69 F250 (manual steering might have something to do with it) had over 843K when I sold the truck 6 years ago, it's still running with no play. Lube at every oil change 2,500 miles, same with new owner.

 

If you look down at 2wd illustration, of your LMC example, there is no Drag Link to it.

Drag link (item #1) in the top illustration is on a 4X4 which is entirely different than a 4X2, which is why I asked you what you had to begin with.

Again 2wd, twin I beam, trucks use a centerlink arrangement. Item #1 in the bottom Illustration is shown as a Center Link, item #2 is shwon as an inner tie rod. Where is there a Drag Link in the 2wd (4X2) Illustration?

Single axle systems albeit I beam or 4X4 use drag link style steering linkage.

The Pivot bushings are located where the axles connect & pivot in the front X member, and radius arm bushings are located at the aft end of the radius arms where they are bracketed to the frame near the intermediate X member*, close to the bellhousing.

*Another cause could be if someone neglected to reinstall the intermediate X Member after installing the 460 in the Truck. then the radius arms would "walk fore & aft" allowing the centerlink to deform & possibly rub. . . . .

Otherwise I have no explanation for your question. If all is in order and mainteined the Centerlink system should last for many miles and not rub on anything. . . . .

FBp

 

Number Dummy,
I respectfully diasgree since a 2wd does not have R/S or L/S tie rod ends. The R/H Tierod is integral in the centerlink, and is not serviced separately.
If you are seeing a 2 tie rod ends plus a drag link you're looking at 4X4 steering linkage,or a single I beam and not a twin I beam. I believe the numbers you cite are for a 4X4 front end, aren't they?

FBp

 

I'm not trying to be stupid or anything...... but scroll down in the LMC picture there..... There are 5 items there: (1) Centre Link, (2) Inner Tie Rod, (3) Adjusting Sleeve, (4) Drag Link, and (5) Steering Stabilizer Kit





Steering Controls - 2 Wheel Drive
F100 F250 1965-72
.....
.....

45-2020 (4) DRAG LINK
.....
.....




It does exist.

Tnx Guys

D-Ren

 

Nope...got the book right here. Kinda tough to send you a diagram of the illustration, cuz I'm using microfiche so I'll try describing the setup. You can stop by your local Ford dealer, and take a look in his books. I cited the sections and page numbers for your convenience.

Application 1968 F100 4X2 = Section 30, Page 6 = Parts List 30.2A

Illustration: Section 30, Page 3: "Front Axle (Twin I Beam) & Front Suspension (2.6M, 2.7M, 3M) 1965/69 F100/F250 (4X2)"
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Right side ball joint of center (drag) link (3304), attaches to right spindle (3105).

Left ball joint of center link (3304) attaches to Pitman Arm (3590).

Left outer tie rod (3A131) attaches from left spindle (3106) to connecting sleeve (3287) that attaches to left inner tie rod (3A130).

Left inner tie rod (3A130) attaches to center link (3310).

To end any further confusion, the left outer tie rod (3A131), connector (3287) and inner left tie rod (3A130) were once serviced as an ASSEMBLY (3280), but never came as part of the draglink. Since I bought a 1965 F100 4X2 brand new, and still own it, I am familar with the front end..and the setup is exactly like the picture in the book, as is every other 1965/69 F100/250 4X2.

1970/72 F100 4X2 is entirely different.

With respect to you Sir, If I didn't know the difference between an illustration of a 4x2 and a 4x4 in parts books that I've been using since 1962, I'd sign off FTE and never come back!

 

I am Obviously Mistaken on my comment about Bills' FoMoCo Numbers being incorrect . I retract that & appologize Bill. Forgive my mistake. Your numbers are spot on as usual.

However in LMCs Illustration linked to this page, a Part (FoMoCo p/n C5TZ 3A131 A)
is called a Drag Link (LMC p/n 45-2020 [presuming your 68 4X2 we're talking about is a F-100] since truck was never fully described) in your original querey.

By definition a DRAG LINK in all other applications engages/ connects tierod TO/ WITH a Pitman arm so as to Drag the tie rod "back & forth" much as a Bow on a Violin or Fiddle strings, when the pitman arm moves during steering . . . . . .

LMC does not make FoMoCo Parts nor do they Name them either. What I said originally is: "What are you calling DRAG LINK ?" since none is used in Ford twin I beam Front Suspensions. The reference to a Drag Link caused me to think a 1968 4X4. . . . .

When I went back and looked closely at LMC Illlustration I do see what you're talking about, however that doesn't make it correct. The Genuine p/n Bill cited C5TZ 3A131-A is a left Outer Tie Rod according to FoMoCo. That's what my Service manuals call it.
That's what Ford Parts manuals Call it & that's what Bill called it above in reply #4. And as a former FoMoCo service person that's what we call it.

So for give me for being confused, I am not and do Not rely on Aftermarket jobbers for information on FoMoCo Products. I suppose I ought to read more carefully tho'.

If those parts touch & rub something in your front suspension must be incorrect. I'd wager, from here at my keyboard, it's probably lateral motion problems in Twin I Beams and/ or radius arms. Looseness and/or worn Bushings will cause that. If you check and find that to be your problem I suggest you R&R all bushings involved at the same time.

FBp