Little help with my draglink rebuild please!

Deadguy · Post by **Deadguy** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:03 pm

I got the rebuild kit from John at Midwest Military. According to both my TM and parts manual, everything he sent me is right. I took apart the old drag link, and there was only one spring in it, and slightly longer adjusting plugs on the ends. John sent me two springs, and it looks like the axle end bellcrank ball end goes in after the spring, and between a ball seat and the axle end adjusting plug. The only problem is, there doesn't seem to be enough room to fit that spring in. The gear end side all fits together with no problems.
I drew up a quick illustration of where I think everything goes, and the problem I'm having, anybody with info,m help me out!

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:21 pm

Just a long shot and I'm sure you verified but are you sure there is nothing else that got left in there all gummed up with old grease? Take out the zirk and blow it out.

jimm · Post by **jimm** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:44 pm

Your diagram is correct, and matches exactly with Figure 153, page 268 of TM 9-8014, the M38A1 maintenance manual. And your understanding of how the balls of the bell crank and pitman arms fit is also correct.

Did you get the right parts in the right end?
Maybe your drag link isn't the right one?

Post by **wesk** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 10:39 pm

The drag link is not exactly the same angles on both ends. There is a front end and a back end. With new springs it can get tight.