Re: Inspection Failure :(

[Tom Mandera <tsm1@domain.elided>]

On Sat, 28 Feb 1998, Ed Kraus wrote:

> Well, It was a sad day in South western PA yesterday!  My 1974 Scout
> went for its initial inspection since I purchased it 5 months ago...

The dreaded annual PA inspection!  The demise of many a Scout!  OTOH, 
parts rigs are always easy to find.. ;-)

> but I have ONE QUESTION what is a Draglink, I think its near the Tie
> rods but thats all I can figure

The drag link is very much like the tie-rod.

Looking at your front axle, the tie-rod goes from one knuckle (hub area) 
to the other.  It's what makes both tires point in the same direction at 
the same time.

On the passenger knuckle (where the tie-rod attaches), there's another 
rod that goes from the knuckle, across to the driver's side, just below 
the frame.  It attaches to the Pitman arm (which is kind of a dog-leg 
looking thing) that in turn is attached to your steering box (can't miss it)

That rod (knuckle-->pitman arm) is the draglink.

It has ball-joints on either end that wear out.. probably what the 
inspection guy told you you needed to replace.. one of those times the PA 
Inspection is a Good Thing. 

-Tom Mandera, Helena MT