Number:
Model:

FS-2018-02
29’, 35’ & 40’ Low Floor Buses

Model Years:

1997- 2016

Date:__January 10, 2018
Approved:
Robert L. Birdwell, Executive Director
Quality Control & Field Service

Subject: Proper Procedure For Adjusting Draglinks After Maintenance or Replacement
In order to achieve optimal life of the draglink on your GILLIG bus, GILLIG recommends to
perform these inspections. This inspection will confirm the proper orientation of the draglink
axle end socket and provide guidance on proper adjustment if the draglink is to be found with
the incorrect orientation. It is important to note that, along with the proper orientation of the
draglink axle end socket, the inspections and grease intervals provided in your GILLIG Service
Manual must also be followed to ensure the service life of the draglink on your GILLIG buses.
Draglink Inspection Procedure:
1. With the engine off and wheels in a straight-ahead position, push and pull the draglink axle
end assembly in and out by hand (using 50-100 lbs of pressure) in the direction of the ball
stud. If no axial movement is detected, the draglink socket is operable. However, notable
axial looseness (more than .060”) requires replacement of steering components. Reference
Figure 1 for a visual description of the axial direction in the socket assembly.
a. Loose ball stud socket (on either end): requires replacement of the draglink.
b. Loose draglink taper connection (at axle end): requires replacement of the draglink
and front axle steer arm.
c. Loose draglink taper connection (at pitman arm end): requires replacement of the
draglink and pitman arm.
2. With the engine running and load on the steer tires, turn the steering wheel one turn to the
right, then lightly rock the steering wheel left to right while checking for axial movement of
the axle end socket assembly. Again, if no axial movement is detected, the draglink socket
is operable. Notable axial looseness (more than .060”) requires replacement of the socket
assembly.
3. Confirm the draglink axle end socket is oriented correctly by checking the side-to-side
angles of the ball stud. A digital protractor is the preferred tool for measuring these angles.
The side-to-side angle should be 0˚ ±2˚. This angle is shown in Figure 2, and the digital
protractor measurements are shown in Figure 3. Figure 2 and Figure 3 are shown with the
35’/40’ draglink components, but the same principle applies to the 29’ draglinks – a side to
side angle greater than 2° requires adjustment of the draglink assembly.

FS-2018-02
Page 2

Side to Side Adjustment Procedure:
1. Loosen both front and rear clamps. Note: Draglinks on 29’ buses with drum brakes only
have one clamp to loosen (example part number: 05-67990-000).
2. The draglink intermediate bar should rotate by ±10° around the ball stud sockets. Grease
both draglink socket assemblies if the draglink intermediate bar does not rotate or the joints
feel “chalky.”
3. Align the top surface of the socket assembly to the machined surface on the steer arm. Use
a digital protractor to confirm that the angle between these two surfaces is less than 2
degrees in the left-right, or side to side plane.
4. If necessary, reorient the clamps so they are positioned on the bottom of the draglink
intermediate bar.
5. Tighten the front and rear clamp nuts to 120 ft-lb.

Figure 1 - Axial Movement Direction. The axial direction is shown above to be in the direction along the axis of the ball stud.

Figure 2 – Draglink Ball Stud Alignment at Steering Arm. The side to side angle should be less than 2 degrees. This angle is best observed from
behind the steer axle looking toward the front of the bus. The 35’/40’ draglink is shown above, but the same principle applies to the 29’
draglink.

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Page 3

Figure 3 – Side to side Draglink Angle Measurement. Using a digital protractor, reference the top of the draglink by placing the protractor on top
of the socket and zeroing it out; then place the protractor on the machined surface of the steer arm adjacent to the draglink. This angle
should be less than 2 degrees. The pictures above are from a 35’/40’ draglink, but the same principle applies to the 29’ draglink.