Instruction Sheet

IS-13009D

660699 DRAGLINK ADJUSTMENT
For X Series and H Series vehicles equipped with an I-beam front axle
H Series: From R-1020 up to E-2504
X Series: From Y-7046 up to E-5525
Can replace the following drag links: 160959; 161329; 161378; 161870

PART NO 660699

Revision : D
Jan 23, 2019

This revision supersedes any previous release
Changed wording in steps 7&8.

MATERIAL
Kit #161458 includes the following parts:
Part No.

Description

Qty

660699

DRAG LINK ASSEMBLY

1

502104

COTTER PIN 5/32X2

2

IS-13009

INSTRUCTION SHEET

1

FI-13009

FEUILLE D'INSTRUCTIONS

1

NOTE
Material can be obtained through regular channels.

IS-13009D
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PROCEDURE

CAUTION
CONFORM TO THE PRESCRIBED TORQUES AND FOLLOW ASSEMBLY GUIDELINES TO
ENSURE VEHICLE SAFETY.

DANGER
Park vehicle safely, apply parking brake, stop engine and set battery master switch(es) to the OFF
position prior to working on the vehicle.

PINCH HAZARD
Keep hands and fingers clear of pinch zones around pitman arm.
Pinch zones are between pitman arm and clamp, and between
front of pitman arm and vehicle structure.

REMOVAL OF EXISTING DRAG LINK
1. Raise the vehicle by the wheels using mobile column lifts. Doing so will prevent a change in direction
of the knuckles and preserve the relative positions of the steering components involved i.e. the
steering arm and the pitman arm.
2. Remove cotter pin and nut from drag link ball joint stud at pitman arm.
3. Disconnect drag link from pitman arm, using jaw style pullers (pressure screw type).

4. Remove cotter pin and nut from drag link ball joint stud at the steering arm (near knuckle) and then
disconnect the drag link.

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ADJUSTING THE DRAG LINK TO PROPER LENGTH - ELBOW BALL JOINT (KNUCKLE SIDE)
5. Check if the pre-adjusted length of the drag link is correct. To do so, try to install it between the
steering arm and the pitman arm. If the length is not adequate, it must be adjusted to the required
length. Use dimension “A” to adjust the length of the replacement drag link or you may use the
replaced drag link for length reference.

FIGURE 1

X3 series from Y-7046 up to E-5525
length A = 52” 3/8”± 1/16” (1330mm ± 2mm)
H3 series early model years R-1020 up to A-1604
length A = 52” 3/8”± 1/16” (1330mm ± 2mm)
H3 series from A-1605 up to E-2504
length A = 53” 3/8”± 1/16” (1356mm ± 2mm)
6. Screw the drag link elbow ball joint (knuckle side) fully in
drag link tube.

FIGURE 2

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X3 AND EARLY MODEL YEARS H3 ONLY
7. Screw out the drag link elbow ball joint by (not more
than 1 turn) so the tapered shank points down as
shown on. (FIGURE 3)
This will be the initial / reference position for next step.

FIGURE 3

X3 AND EARLY MODEL YEARS H3 ONLY
8. Next, unscrew the drag link elbow ball joint back out one
(1) full turn from the initial / reference position.
The tapered shank must point down as shown on
(FIGURE 4).

1 full turn

FIGURE 4

H3 SERIES FROM A-1605 up to E-2504

From A-1605

The limits of the adjustment sleeve do not provide enough
extension.
9. Unscrew the drag link elbow ball joint out 1 inch. The
tapered shank must points down as shown on FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 5

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10. To prevent interference between the ball joint clamp
bolts and other components of the steering system, the
clamp bolt must be positioned vertically as shown on
FIGURE 6. Tighten the clamp nut to 118-133 lbf-ft.

CAUTION
Do not re-use clamp
hardware.
Bolt and nut should be
replaced every time they are
unscrewed. While assembling
the clamp, make sure the bolt
does not touch the drag link tube.
FIGURE 6: NOTE THE VERTICAL ORIENTATION OF
THE CLAMP BOLT AT THE KNUCKLE END AND ON
WHICH SIDE THE NUT MUST BE POSITIONED

SLEEVE ADJUSTMENT PARAMETERS
11. On the drag link front end you will find an adjustment
sleeve which has internal and external left and right
threads.

FIGURE 7

12. Fine adjustment of the drag link length if required should
be performed exclusively by turning the adjustment
sleeve while preventing the tube and joint from rotating.
The only part rotating should be the sleeve
•

To extend, turn the sleeve clockwise.

•

To retract, turn counter clockwise.

FIGURE 8

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GENERAL LIMITATIONS OF THE ADJUSTMENT SLEEVE

Do not exceed the following maximum thread lengths and
values.
•

Max dimension V : 5/8” (16mm) ± 1 thread pitch

•

Max dimension W : 5/8” (16mm) ± 1 thread pitch

•

Max dimension X : 1” (25mm)

•

Dimension V and W should be equal (V/W = 1)

FIGURE 9

SLEEVE ADJUSTMENT

X3 AND EARLY MODEL YEARS H3 ONLY
13. Adjust sleeve to the values of FIGURE 10.
5/8”=16mm
10/32”=8mm

14. Once the proper length adjustment is done, tighten the
sleeve end ball joint clamp. To prevent interference
between the ball joint clamp bolts with other components
of the steering system, the clamp bolt must be
positioned horizontally as shown on FIGURE 11.
Tighten the clamp nut to 118-133 lbf-ft.

FIGURE 10

CAUTION
Do not re-use clamp
hardware.
Bolt and nut should be
replaced every time they are
unscrewed. While assembling
the clamp, make sure the bolt
does not touch the drag link tube.

FIGURE 11: NOTE THE HORIZONTAL ORIENTATION OF THE CLAMP BOLT AT THE SLEEVE END
AND ON WHICH SIDE THE NUT MUST BE POSITIONED

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H3 SERIES FROM A-1605 up to E-2504
15. Adjust sleeve to the values of FIGURE 12.
16. Once the proper length adjustment is done, tighten the
adjustment sleeve clamp. To prevent interference
between the ball joint clamp bolts with other components
of the steering system, the clamp bolt must be
positioned horizontally as shown on FIGURE 13. Tighten
the clamp nut to 118-133 lbf-ft.

CAUTION
FIGURE 12

Do not re-use clamp
hardware.
Bolt and nut should be
replaced every time they are
unscrewed. While assembling
the clamp, make sure the bolt
does not touch the drag link tube.

FIGURE 13: NOTE THE HORIZONTAL ORIENTATION OF THE CLAMP BOLT AT THE SLEEVE END
AND ON WHICH SIDE THE NUT MUST BE POSITIONED

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DRAG LINK INSTALLATION
17. Install the drag link.
18. Secure the ball joint with a castellated nut at both ends.
Tightened the castellated nuts to 150-200 lbf-ft.
19. Install cotter pin p/n 502104 at both ends to secure the
ball joint nut and bend to lock bolt in place (see an
example of a correct installation of a cotter pin on the
image below).
20. Apply a small amount of anti-seize compound on all
exposed threads for corrosion protection. Be sure to
avoid smearing the ball joint boot.

FIGURE 14

FIGURE 15

PARTS / WASTE DISPOSAL
Discard waste according to applicable environmental regulations (Municipal/State[Prov.]/ Federal)