Drag Link Rehab

I'm working on a rebuild of the drag link for my 67 (V6) CJ. The parts are not necessarily worn but I can see someone has been in there in the past and used parts that don't seem to belong. One tip off is the fact that the end plugs can not be screwed in far enough to allow the cotter pins to index in the plugs. Scary that someone was driving it like that! After messing around for awhile and trying different setups I came to the conclusion that the little top hat dealies, spring plugs as listed in the manual are too long and won't let the springs won't compress enough. Walck's told me they did not have the repair kit for the V6 drag link so my temptation is to mill down the spring plugs to work but I'd feel better sourcing the correct parts for the drag link. Does anyone sell the complete correct link or proper repair kit or will I have to modify the parts I have?

 

I'm not familiar with the V6 but if it's like the F-head, the drag link components must be assembled in a very specific sequence - and it is a different sequence at the front than the rear.

Can be very confusing, and IIRC the exact problem you cite has been discussed here in the past, if you search.

 

X3

 

These responses help. I did use the exploded diagram in the shop manual to lay out the pieces and did take note of the difference as to the parts for both ends. I'll do a search here on the subject. I have a feeling the previous owner came up against the new pieces were wrong problem but installed them anyway and just cranked the end plugs down as hard as he could and called it good leaving joints on each end that barely moved and added to the already existing problem of worn out sector shaft pins in the steering box.
I'll update this thread as to the outcome but at this point I am leaning more in the direction of shortening the existing spring plugs to allow the springs to collapse more as they are the wrong length based on the information given about wrong replacement parts.

 

I am all for trying to repair the old ross set up . but once you go saginaw power or not . you'll never look back . one of best upgrades to a early

 

Just think about it very logically - with the goal being that under any and all conditions, the ball ends of the pitman and bellcrank must remain inescapably "trapped" in the drag link - even if the springs are fully compressed.

 

For now I'd like to stay stock. I got some big help from TimE fixing the sector shaft for the box so I'm very close to getting back on the road. I've been champing at the bit to drive my new toy! The Jeep came with a Saginaw power box and a pump as spare parts, a sure sign that the PO had enough of the stock set up and with his work on the drag link I can see why. Probably next year when the newness has worn off and I'm willing to have some down time I'll give the power steering upgrade a shot.

 

X4 or whatever number we’re up to.

 

This is my stock steering. It works, but I really would like Saginaw. A lot of the noise in this video is the camera rattling in its' case.