Replaced it with a new Napa one in Feb 05, it has again gone bad...

any suggestions

Rich

 

theres 2-3 after market up grades I've read about but haven't done yet ,at about 170+sh,do a search, or just wait a little longer and someone will tell ya there favorite and contact info, do'nt waste your money on any dealer or parts house replacement get the up grade , or you'll be back replacing again.

 

I too have had the same problem, though I thought it was shotty installation. It sounds like I am not alone. I would love to hear if there is something better, moreover I would love to hear why they go bad so fast.

 

Is your truck lifted at all? If it`s lifted and you have no steering correction (steering block or dropped pitman arm) it can cause the drag link to operate at some pretty harsh angles. I put a Superlift adjustable drag link on my 86 gasser and had no problems with it, it`s pretty stout actually...but a bit pricey, 180 or so IIRC.

 

I've had the same problem in the past. Probably have gone through three or four in the past eight years. No lift on my truck. In fact, my truck is sagging in the front and back big time right now. That's another topic I'll soon post. Supposedly the last one I got from NAPA has a lifetime warranty and the place I had put in on for me said they'd replace it free of charge if it goes bad.....we'll see. I'm also interested in additional info about the aftermarket part.

Bryan

 

You think your drag links are bad - mine is missing! I looked and I can't find it.

 

uuuuuh........huh

 

wanna is drive wheel challenged

 

Wanna, that's not even funny. Ok, it is, My truck went through 6 drag links in 9 years. luckily the parts store here kept sending them back under warrenty. on some of them I got less than 5,000 miles out of them. I used nappa brand, carquest, and moog. Since I put in new front springs that are 2 inches over stock I havent had one go bad. that's been about 15,000 miles. I think that sagging springs can change the geometry the same as a lift can.

 

timb,
since you mentioned springs.........where'dya get new springs that are 2 inches over stock? I've been thinking about 2 or 3 inches above what stock was when it was new, but haven't had much luck looking online. I have dial-up so looking online gets tiresome after a while........ Would new springs be my best bet? I've had people tell me to get helpers or add-a-leaf, but my springs are lookin' pretty rough if you ask me. I'm thinking replacing them altogether might be better...I should probably make this a new post *L*

 

My truck has add-a- leafs in the front and it rides like a dump truck . My 86 has a Rancho 4in and rides light years better (notice I said better...not good, after all it`s still a 1st gen ). As soon as $$$ will allow I`d like to get a set of those Skyjacker softrides, i hear they ride pretty nice.

 

Skyjacker softrides? I'll have to check that out. thanks for the info ont he add-a-leafs. My truck already rides like a dump truck. Can you believe I have never even changed the shock absorbers

btw, I did post a new thread on this topic

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...threadid=74792

 

I think since I have the drop pitman arm, I'll have a custom made, adjustable draglink made.

If it turns out really good (I have a **** good fab man) I'll post up about it....

Rich

 

I have a super lift adjustable if your front end is out of line and tires are not balanced it will kill the draglinks fast . the drag links are the week link in our trucks and wide tires are a killer too if you find a life time warranty on one buy it.

 

I have the skyjacker 2in springs and they are nice. My truck rides the best out of all the ones in my family. It helps when theres more than 1in between the spring and bump stop!!