Pitman/Drag Link

[jtrask]

The front end isn't lining up on the 86 Bronco II.
The service station said I needed a new pitman arm and a new drag link.
Is this something I can tackle, or is it best left to the pros?

If it is something I can handle in a backyard set-up, how difficult is it? And how long should it take?

Thanks!

[Happy_Jack]

I have done several of these. A pitman arm puller is needed and a big hammer. If you can get a pitman arm puller it is not too bad. See if someone has one they could let you borrow or better yet come over and give you a hand. Or you could check and see if you can rent one.

The tie rods/drag link asssy. is not that bad. Use an impact to remove the nut after you remove the cotter pin. You can use a fork type seperator. Or the big hammer to hit the side of the knuckle or pitman arm and it will drop.

They can be very difficult to get off. Just work slooooow. Remove the nut that holds it on. Tighten the puller and then hit straight up on the puller a few times then tighten a little more and repeat.

How much lift do you have? Is your tie rod/drag link assy bad or are you just out of adjustment? If they are not bad the new pitman arm would most likely put tham back in correct lenth and angle.

It takes my son less than an hour to do this. But he's done many of them. And knows where all his stuff is. Takes me a bit longer rounding up everything. And I'm old and slow.

[ranger5.0]

If I recall the pitman arm does not have any moving parts to it to wear out. the draglink end bolts through it. I could see that the draglink ends and the tie rod ends would be worn. Also if your radius arm bushings or kingpins are worn, these will also not allow an alignment to work.