MAINTENANCE
INFORMATION
DATE :
SUBJECT :

MI19-05

February 2019
SECTION : 14 STEERING
660865, 660699 DRAGLINK ADJUSTMENT

Version initiale

2019-02-07

IMPORTANT NOTICE
This modification is recommended by Prevost to increase your vehicle's performance. Note that no
reimbursement will be awarded for carrying out this modification.

APPLICATION
Model

VIN

H3-41, H3-45 coaches
Model Year : 2014 -

From 2PCH3349XEC712505 up to …

X3-45 coaches
Model Year : 2014 -

From 2PCG33497EC735526 up to …

DESCRIPTION
For vehicles equipped with I-beam axles, follow these instructions to adjust the length of the
draglink. This applies to model year 2014 and onward.

Writer:

FL

MATERIAL
H series
Part No.

Description

Qty

660865

DRAG LINK ASSEMBLY, H SERIES

1

502104

COTTER PIN 5/32 X 2

1

X series
Part No.

Description

Qty

660699

DRAG LINK ASSEMBLY, X SERIES

1

502104

COTTER PIN 5/32 X 2

1

Other parts that may be required, depending on condition
Part No.

Description

660018

COLLAR ASSY / W/BOLT & NUT

Qty
2

NOTE
Material can be obtained through regular channels.

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.

Writer:

FL

MI19-05
Page 3 / 7

REMOVAL OF EXISTING DRAG LINK

CAUTION
Heating of components to aid in disassembly is not allowed because it has a detrimental effect on axle
components and steering linkages.

CAUTION
Do not drive (hammer in) pitman arm on or off pitman shaft as this can damage the steering gear.

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.
ADJUSTING THE DRAG LINK TO PROPER LENGTH - ELBOW BALL JOINT (KNUCKLE
SIDE)
5. Adjust the length of the draglink. 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” and steps below to adjust the length of the replacement drag link or you may
use the replaced drag link for length reference.

FIGURE 1: HSERIES LENGTH

H Series: Length A = 55” 7/8”± 1/16” (1420mm ± 2mm)
X Series: Length A = 53” 3/8”± 1/16” (1356mm ± 2mm)

Writer:

FL

MI19-05
Page 4 / 7

6. Screw the drag link elbow ball joint (knuckle side)
fully in drag link tube.

FIGURE 2

7. Unscrew 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

8. Next, unscrew the drag link elbow ball joint back
out.
H Series: Five (5) full turn from the initial /
reference position.
X Series: One (1) full turn from the initial /
reference position.
The tapered shank must point down as shown on
(FIGURE 4).

H : 5 full turns
X : 1 full turn

FIGURE 4

Writer:

FL

MI19-05
Page 5 / 7

9. 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 5: NOTE THE VERTICAL ORIENTATION
OF THE CLAMP BOLT AT THE KNUCKLE END
AND ON WHICH SIDE THE NUT MUST BE
POSITIONED

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

FIGURE 6

11. 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 7

Writer:

FL

MI19-05
Page 6 / 7

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 8

SLEEVE ADJUSTMENT
12. Adjust sleeve to the values of FIGURE 10.
10/32”=8mm
13. 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 9

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
10:
NOTE
THE
HORIZONTAL
ORIENTATION OF THE CLAMP BOLT AT THE
SLEEVE END AND ON WHICH SIDE THE NUT
MUST BE POSITIONED

Writer:

FL

MI19-05
Page 7 / 7

DRAG LINK INSTALLATION
14. Install the drag link.
15. Ball joint castellated nut on both ends should
be tightened to 150-200 lbf-ft.
16. Install cotter pin p/n 502104 and bend to lock
bolt in place (see an example of a correct
installation of a cotter pin on the image
below).
17. Apply a small amount of anti-seize compound FIGURE 11
on all exposed threads for corrosion
protection. Be sure to avoid smearing the ball
joint boot.

18. Make sure there is no binding or interference of the draglink with the vehicle structure by
turning wheels fully in each direction. Min gap: 1/4” (6mm)
19. Inspect the gap between tire and draglink turning wheels right: Min gap 3/8” (9.5mm).

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

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Writer:

FL