Hope somebody can help me out with this. I am rebuilding the front end on my 1985 4runner. When it comes to the drag link, I can only find rebuilding kits. No actual new replacement link. I have also searched drag link rebuild to find a tutorial or step by step advice. Any advice on what you guys have done when faced to a similar situation? Thanks alot
drag link question
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KidVermicious
New member
I found a rebuild kit on Amazon and rebuilt my stock link. No reason to replace the link itself unless it's bent or cracked.
The rebuild itself is very straightforward, unless your junk is fused by rust the way mine was. I couldn't free the cap that holds the J arm ball in the draglink socket, I had to take it into a shop. Lots of heat and an air hammer took care of it.
The rebuild itself is very straightforward, unless your junk is fused by rust the way mine was. I couldn't free the cap that holds the J arm ball in the draglink socket, I had to take it into a shop. Lots of heat and an air hammer took care of it.
KidVermicious
New member
The j arm and pitman arm each have a ball on the end. Each end of the draglink has a slotted screw plug. Back out the screw plug, and behind it there's a spring and half of a socket - the other half of the socket is molded into the draglink. Each of the ball ends get inserted into the holes in the draglink, and the screw plug is used to tighten the socket halves together on each end to trap the ball.
I got the screw plugs out on each side, but one of the socket halves was fused in place with rust, that's where the heat and air hammer came in handy.
I got the screw plugs out on each side, but one of the socket halves was fused in place with rust, that's where the heat and air hammer came in handy.
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Thanks KV, I just finished putting it all back together! Not as bad as I thought it might have been, I was able to avoid air hammer/torch to do it. Your help is appreciated. I am just waiting on a tie rod connector then the front end is done. What a job, I also did the Marlin seal and bearing kit as I'm sure you know unbelievably dirty and greasy.
KidVermicious
New member
When I did the knuckles on mine for the first time, they were absolutely caked in oil and filth. I'm talking inches deep, it was nasty. I still have stains on my driveway from that and the knuckle soup.
